New facility for women experiencing homelessness prepares to rise in Uptown

A plan from nonprofit organization Sarah’s Circle to construct a new six-story building to serve women experiencing homelessness is inching forward at the corner of Leland and Sheridan in Uptown. The project recently received its first construction permit estimated at $12.2 million, according to Chicago Cityscape.

Designed by global architecture firm Perkins + Will, the development will provide 38 units of permanent housing for women with a chronic history of homelessness plus interim beds for up to 50 individuals. The plan also calls for rooms for clinical and group activities, a computer lab, cafeteria, and administrative offices, according to the project’s website.

Before work can begin, an existing, mostly vacant two-story building completed in 1914 by architects Perry and Thomas will need to come down. The plan looks to preserve and incorporate some of the old structure’s terracotta ornamentation into the exterior of the new building, Block Club Chicago revealed earlier this year.

Funding for the new Uptown facility came from a $14 million gift from a foundation that wishes to remain anonymous. The building at 1005 W. Leland Avenue is expected to open in the second half of 2020.