Affordable senior housing development breaks ground on Chicago’s Near West Side

City officials, community members, and project developers broke ceremonial ground this morning on a new five-story senior housing development on Chicago’s Near West Side. Replacing ten vacant, previously city-owned lots near Union Park and the United Center, the upcoming development at 1637-59 W. Washington Boulevard will deliver 62 affordable-rate units for local seniors earning no more than 60 percent of the area median income.

The $17.4 million project is known as the McCrory Senior Apartments and is a joint venture between Brinshore Development and the nearby First Baptist Congregational Church. Designed by Landon Bone Baker Architects, the building will feature a community room, fitness center, theater space, outdoor patio, and an exam room for medical checkups. Based on a permit issued late last year, 20 parking spaces and a single loading zone will also be provided on-site.

“The McCrory Senior Apartments are a win-win. They will turn a vacant lot into 62 affordable new homes while creating new jobs on the Near West Side of Chicago,” said Mayor Emanuel today via release. In addition to the aforementioned land which was essentially donated to the project at a cost of just $1, the McCrory Senior Apartments will receive up to $4.1 million in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) assistance from the City of Chicago.

Photo via Chicago Department of Planning and Development

• Mayor Emanuel Breaks Ground on Affordable Senior Housing Community [Press release]
• New senior housing development moving forward on Near West Side [Curbed Chicago]
• Building permit [Chicago Cityscape]