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Two big West Loop developments to top Chicago Plan Commission June agenda

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June’s Plan Commission meeting will feature another line-up of important—and possibly controversial—projects

Rendering of 845 W. Madison Street.
GREC

While last month’s lengthy meeting of the Chicago Plan Commission focused primarily on the adoption of a transformative plan to guide the future development of the North Branch Industrial Corridor, the provisional agenda for June features a wide array of projects slated for a number of Chicago neighborhoods. These developments would deliver a combined 1,800 new rental units. Two especially large West Loop proposals account for over half of that number.

If approved by the Plan Commission, these projects would still need to head to the Zoning Board and finally the full Chicago City Council in order to move forward. Here’s a brief look at some of the larger items listed on the agenda for the June 15th public meeting.

933-43 West Washington, 11-25 North Morgan, 942-48 West Madison, and 22-42 North Sangamon Streets

bKL Architecture

↑ Known officially as ‘Union West,’ this project from developers ZOM Living and Verde Communities and architect bKL calls for two 15-story, 184-foot residential towers with ground floor retail. The development would include a combined 356 rental units and 257 parking spaces. The proposed buildings would be built on property owned by the Haymarket recovery center, who is partnering with the aforementioned developers.

845 W. Madison Street

GREC

↑ Replacing the site formerly occupied by the H2O Plus company in the West Loop, this block-sized development from John Buck Company would feature a pair of 17-story, 197-foot towers atop 14 townhomes and a large podium. Designed by architect GREC, the plan would deliver new ground floor retail, 586 total dwelling units, and 293 parking spaces.

8535 West Higgins Road

41st Ward

↑ Slated for a vacant lot near O’Hare Airport on Chicago’s Far Northwest Side, this project comes from Glenstar Properties calls for a new seven-story rental building. The latest version of the plan will feature 297 dwelling units and 270 parking spaces. It is designed by FitzGerald Associates Architects.

61-65 East Banks Street

Booth Hansen

↑ Developed by Draper & Kramer and designed by architecture firm Booth Hansen, the long-discussed Gold Coast project would replace a parking lot fronting N. Lake Shore Drive. The eight-story building would contain 58 dwelling units, a rooftop amenity level, and at least 42 parking spaces. Rents in the high-end development will reportedly range between roughly $6,000 and $10,000 per month.

1825 West Lawrence Avenue

47th Ward

↑ Developer Harlem Irving Companies is behind this three-building, transit-oriented project in Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood. Plans calls for a drive through Chase bank and a pair of mixed-use, four-story buildings with ground floor retail and rental apartments above. It will offer a combined 166 dwelling units and 122 parking spaces across its three sub-areas. Design comes from Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture.

5440 North Sheridan Road

46th Ward

↑ Known as ‘Overture Edgewater Beach,’ this proposed development would rise 16 stories at the corner of Sheridan and Capalta. Aimed at seniors, the age-restricted rental high-rise would contain 174 dwelling units and a total of 251 parking spaces. The project comes from owner-operator Greystar and architect Pappageorge Haymes.

2835 West Belden Avenue

1st Ward

↑ Hoping to jump on the Milwuakee Avenue transit-oriented development train, this six-story Logan Square proposal comes from developer Barry Sidel and Mark Ordower. Designed by FitzGerald Associates Architects, the building would include 100 rental units and just 30 on-site parking spaces.

63-77 East Garfield Boulevard

JGMA

↑ Known as the ‘KLEO Life Center,’ this interesting four-story project slated for the Washington Park neighborhood will include ground floor retail topped by residential floors of artist live/work studios. The project will feature a total of 58 dwelling units and 32 parking spaces. Designed by architecture firm JGMA, the building’s translucent facade will provide its residents ample sunlight during the day and give the structure an internal glow at night.

1201 East 60th Street

University of Chicago

↑ Though no zoning change to an existing Planned Development is being sought, the University of Chicago plans to make a courtesy presentation regarding its upcoming academic conference center slated for the school’s Hyde Park campus. Dubbed the ‘David M. Rubenstein Forum,’ the 165-foot building comes from New-York based architect Diller Scofidio + Renfro (DS+R) and represents the firm’s first Chicago project.