New ‘U’ apartments headed to Chicago’s University Village

Property Markets Group

Located just west of the Dan Ryan Expressway at 1350 S. Union, a luxury apartment development branded simply as ‘U’ is ready to get off the ground. With a newly-issued construction permit in hand, developer Property Markets Group (PMG) can now begin work on delivering the seven-story building and its 99 rental units to Chicago’s University Village neighborhood.

According to PMG’s website, U will include amenities such as “co-working space, outdoor amphitheater, modern fitness center, yoga room, industrial communal kitchen, and expansive roof deck with grills, dog run, and fire pit.” The 79-foot-tall project will also feature rooftop photovoltaic panels and garage parking for 99 vehicles and 125 bicycles. Architectural design is headed by Aurora, Illinois-based Cordogan Clark & Associates.

The development site at the northwest corner of Union Avenue and 14th Street was previously home to the 1869 Gethsemane Church. Included on Preservation Chicago’s most endangered list in 2012, the old structure was first constructed as a German School before later serving as a Romanian synagogue, an African-American church, and an arts center. It was demolished in March of 2015.

New York-based PMG developed Logan Square’s transit-oriented ‘L’ apartments known for its rooftop deck featuring a repurposed CTA elevated train car. The firm is also involved in a contentious and highly-politicized battle to redevelop a vacant 7.85-acre lot in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood.

• New construction permit at 710 W. 14th Street [Chicago Cityscape]
• Developer scales back Union St. plans after community input [Gazette Chicago]
• Previous University Village coverage [Curbed Chicago]