The West Loop’s Union West apartments could begin construction any day now

Work on the West Loop’s upcoming Union West apartment development looks ready to move forward. Last week, the massive project received its first permit to demolish the one-story commercial building standing in its way at 933 W. Washington Boulevard.

Once prepped, the L-shaped development site bordered by Washington, Morgan, Madison, and Sangamon will go on to support a pair of 15-story towers rising atop of a shared podium. Combined, Union West will deliver 357 rental units, 255 parking stalls, and roughly 12,000 square feet of retail space.

Co-developed by ZOM Living and Verde Communities, Union West was first shown to the public in late 2016. After some tweaks and a modest height reduction, the bKL-designed project went to the Chicago Plan Commission for approval last September.

Google Street View

bKL Architecture

Actual construction is anticipated to begin soon, according to a February press release from ZOM Living. The recently issued demolition permit is the strongest indicator yet that things are finally moving forward.

Union West isn’t the only dense apartment project headed to the immediate area. Crews recently brought down the old H2O Plus facility at 845 W. Madison to make way for its 586-unit replacement. Meanwhile, the cylindrical high-rise under construction at 727 W. Madison is on its way to deliver another 492 apartments to the booming neighborhood.

• Demolition permit at 933 W. Washington Boulevard [Chicago Cityscape]
• Four West Loop projects pass key city vote [Curbed Chicago]
• West Loop archive [Curbed Chicago]