While Chicago’s construction boom has already seen the delivery of thousands of new apartment units, the Windy City’s seemingly bottomless demand for downtown rentals means that thousands more are still on the way. Thanks largely to an abundance of underutilized parking lots and its access to the Loop, public transportation, entertainment, nightlife, and dining, Chicago’s River North continues to be a popular neighborhood for high-rise developers. Here’s a look at some of the projects currently headed to the area.

↑ 221 Hubbard/412 Wells

The project under construction at the southwest corner of Wells and Hubbard is actually two buildings from Centrum Partners and architect Hirsch Associates. With the 23-floor, 193-unit rental tower at the west end of the site now topped-off, crews are focusing on the adjacent nine-story office building. Constrained by overhead ‘L’ tracks, the commercial portion of the project follows the bend of the elevated train line. The transit-oriented development will provide off-street parking for 91 vehicles.

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↑ 311 W. Illinois

This 24-story, 245-unit rental tower rising immediately west of Assumption Catholic Church has reached its final height and recently lowered its primary construction crane. Developed by Chicago’s John Buck Company and designed by the architects at FitzGerald Associates, the 298-foot tower will feature a roof deck, 3,000 square feet of retail space, and 109 parking spaces. The project added a third level to the neighboring church’s priory building along Orleans.

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↑ 530 N. LaSalle

Flying quietly under the radar until it broke ground late last year, the eight-story Moxy Hotel is starting to take shape at the corner of LaSalle and Grand. The Marriott-affiliated project is being developed by partners Albert Friedman and White Lodging Services while design comes from the architects at DLR Group. The Chicago Moxy will meet the street with a glassy two-story lobby and restaurant space.

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↑ 167 W. Erie

Designed by Loewenberg Architects for Magellan Development, the 39-story brick and glass tower at 167 W. Erie is expected to open later this summer. Dubbed “Gallery on Wells,” the high-rise development will contain 442 rental units, 131 parking spaces, new retail space, and a large resident amenity deck constructed on the roof of a neighboring office building. Featuring a pool, fitness center, and dog run, this large outdoor space was recently planted with trees.

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↑ 640 N. Wells

Located just across the street from “Gallery,” the 280-foot rental tower at 640 North Wells is also preparing to open soon. Designed by Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture for developer JDL, the glassy 251-unit building replaces River North's old Ed Debevic's restaurant and its parking lot.

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↑ 675 N. Wells

While the two aforementioned Wells Street developments are getting ready to open, the 15-story, 176-unit apartment building at 675 N. Wells is just getting started. Known officially as “The Marlowe,” the project comes from Lennar Multifamily Communities of Miami and architect Antunovich Associates. Workers have completed the tower’s foundation and recently added a red tower crane.

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↑ 676 N. LaSalle

Cedar Street Companies, one of the city's busiest developers, has begun constructing a glassy addition to the existing River North office building it acquired in 2015. Designed by architect Booth Hansen, the plan will deliver new retail space and 149 apartments under the Cedar Street’s FLATS Chicago brand. So far, the old commercial building has been gutted and work on the foundation for the eight-story addition is moving briskly ahead.

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↑ 750 N. Hudson

Situated at the northwest edge of River North, the 25-story apartment tower known as “The Hudson” has welcomed its first residents. Developed by the Onni Group out of Canada and designed by Pappageorge Haymes, the project is still putting the finishing touches on its upper floors. In addition to its 240 rental units, The Hudson also features 10,000 square feet of new retail space along Chicago Avenue and is home to a new Starbucks.

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↑ 8 E. Huron

This narrow 26-story luxury rental tower at the northeast corner of State and Huron topped-out this spring. Crews are now working to wrap the top floor in glass and finish installing the rooftop mechanical systems. Designed by Valerio Dewalt Train Associates and developed by CA Ventures, the project will deliver 102 apartments, ground floor retail, and parking for 31 vehicles.

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↑ 400 W. Huron

Essentially complete, this 15-story condo development is located at the corner of Huron and Sedgwick. The sleek, charcoal-colored building comes from Berkelhamer Architects and Chicago-based developer Smithfield Properties. The project features 26 high-end residences, parking on floors two through five, and a ground floor lobby joined by a yet-to-lease commercial space.

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↑ 1201 N. LaSalle

While technically closer to the Gold Coast than River North, this 35-story mixed-use tower will have a big impact on Chicago’s Near North Side. Known as “The Sinclair,” the glassy development includes a 58,000-square-foot flagship Jewel grocery store topped by roughly 390 rental apartments. The project was built by developer Fifield Cos. and architect Solomon Cordwell Buenz and is expected to open soon.

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↑ 9 W. Walton

Rising at the southwest corner of State and Walton, this 37-story luxury condo tower is starting to make its presence known on Chicago’s skyline. Featuring 71 spacious for-sale residences and 74 below-grade parking stalls, the precast concrete building known as “No. 9 Walton” comes from developer JDL and Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture. The 456-foot project is on track for a late 2017 delivery date.

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• Previous Chicago construction coverage [Curbed Chicago]
• Previous River North coverage [Curbed Chicago]