CHICAGO | General Developments

[left of center]

Originally Posted by cloudbod

This is proper Chi density imo!

Absolutely agreed. A couple dozen/hundred more developments like this across the city and we'd be sitting pretty.

Exasperating to see NIMBYs fight developments tooth and nail that are half as dense as this.

[r18tdi]

Interesting deep dive on the Trump Tower riverfront retail vacancy and the latest push to finally (maybe) fill the space:

https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/08/11/...verfront-retail-space-ever-get-a-tenant/

[nomarandlee]

Originally Posted by r18tdi

Interesting deep dive on the Trump Tower riverfront retail vacancy and the latest push to finally (maybe) fill the space:

https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/08/11/...verfront-retail-space-ever-get-a-tenant/

I've always been a bit shocked by how hard it has been to fill those spaces out. Granted, many are gun-shy about being associated with the name, but from 2010-2015 it wasn't too bad. I've long assumed Trump uses the space as some sort of write-off.

Commercial/retail real-estate brokers and marketers are FOS in their public declarations. Who knows what they've got stewing. Given the high activity of the riverwalk I've seen this summer, though it would seem they are missing out more than ever in not trying to get in on the action by the riverfront.

[ithakas]

Yeah, if Chicago can start building more 8-12 story buildings across neighborhoods the city will feel much more dynamic.

I'd love to see 5-8 stories become the baseline scale for major commercial streets, with pops of this scale intermittently.

[twister244]

Originally Posted by nomarandlee

I've always been a bit shocked by how hard it has been to fill those spaces out. Granted, many are gun-shy about being associated with the name, but from 2010-2015 it wasn't too bad. I've long assumed Trump uses the space as some sort of write-off.

Commercial/retail real-estate brokers and marketers are FOS in their public declarations. Who knows what they've got stewing. Given the high activity of the riverwalk I've seen this summer, though it would seem they are missing out more than ever in not trying to get in on the action by the riverfront.

Politics aside, it's kinda an odd location and space. I feel like that space below the tower wasn't designed to be very integrated into the "scene" down there. There's no room for any outdoor seating...... It doesn't tie into much of any riverwalk space.....

The riverwalk on the other side works really well because it focuses on enough room for people to simply grab food/drinks and sit outside in the sun. That's why people love spending time down there when it's warm enough.

That's my hot take at least.

[nomarandlee]

Originally Posted by twister244

Politics aside, it's kinda an odd location and space. I feel like that space below the tower wasn't designed to be very integrated into the "scene" down there. There's no room for any outdoor seating...... It doesn't tie into much of any riverwalk space.....

The riverwalk on the other side works really well because it focuses on enough room for people to simply grab food/drinks and sit outside in the sun. That's why people love spending time down there when it's warm enough.

That's my hot take at least.

You're right, and I've had the same thoughts myself. It seems like an oddly narrow walkthrough that isn't exactly conducive to a large porch or overhang that would necessitate large amounts of outdoor dining.

It seems like it was originally aimed at serving small boutique shops. The reason why high-end boutique shops work on Oak Street is partially because it connects Michigan Ave and Rush St. To your point, this enclave kind of segregates itself from its surroundings, and you have to make a point to use the stairs and pathway.

[twister244]

Originally Posted by nomarandlee

You're right, and I've had the same thoughts myself. It seems like an oddly narrow walkthrough that isn't exactly conducive to a large porch or overhang that would necessitate large amounts of outdoor dining.

It seems like it was originally aimed at serving small boutique shops. The reason why high-end boutique shops work on Oak Street is partially because it connects Michigan Ave and Rush St. To your point, this enclave kind of segregates itself from its surroundings, and you have to make a point to use the stairs and pathway.

Yep. I think if there was a river walk on that side of the river, there would for sure be occupation down there, even with the current political environment.

[r18tdi]

Originally Posted by twister244

Yep. I think if there was a river walk on that side of the river, there would for sure be occupation down there, even with the current political environment.

True, but we currently see plenty of riverfront activation along 321 N. Clark, 300 LaSalle, Reid Murdoch, Marina City, etc. without a northbank riverwalk.

[anxietyrocks]

Originally Posted by ithakas

Yeah, if Chicago can start building more 8-12 story buildings across neighborhoods the city will feel much more dynamic.

I'd love to see 5-8 stories become the baseline scale for major commercial streets, with pops of this scale intermittently.

100% agree, this is a sentiment I always held. Seems like its pulling teeth to get something built over 5 stories outside of downtown neighborhoods. Especially near transit stations, there's a reason one line in Toronto's TTC system eclipses the ridership of the entire CTA train station and it's cause they do TOD so well. 8-12 story buildings should be the MINIMUM for new building near L stations. So much of the land use surrounding L stations is barren or has 1-2 story buildings. The 4-5 story buildings should just be default anywhere in the city, and like you said, 5-8 on commercial streets.

But alas, this is a fantastic looking building.

[Klippenstein]

Brick and windows going up at Thrive Exchange on 79th.

[2PRUROCKS!]

Does anybody know if the plan to extend the 606 to Elston is still moving forward and has funding to begin in 2026 and be completed by 2027 like this video says?

https://youtu.be/Zq281tP9DVQ?si=XS3yY9gfKyga9LMv

[cloudbod]

Do we have a UIC thread? I checked out the recently-opened Computer Design Research & Learning Center yesterday and it bangs














Really interesting shape, facade, materials (esp the orange glazed terracotta) and atrium. Good view, too!

The fact that it enclosed what was previously the exterior of the Engineering Lab and connected it on 5 different floors is super cool to me. Reminds me of the kind of "exterior-facade-within-atrium" buildings of the 80s (70 W Madison, etc) that are always so liminal and dreamlike.

[lakeshoredrive]

Originally Posted by cloudbod

Do we have a UIC thread? I checked out the recently-opened Computer Design Research & Learning Center yesterday and it bangs














Really interesting shape, facade, materials (esp the orange glazed terracotta) and atrium. Good view, too!

The fact that it enclosed what was previously the exterior of the Engineering Lab and connected it on 5 different floors is super cool to me. Reminds me of the kind of "exterior-facade-within-atrium" buildings of the 80s (70 W Madison, etc) that are always so liminal and dreamlike.

I go by it all the time on my bus so I’ve been wondering what it looks like. Very nice inside! I like how open and light it feels.

[left of center]

Love it! Happy to see the 'ole alma mater is growing!

SEL (Science and Engineering Labs) has always been one of my favorite buildings on campus (tied with BSB). Passing underneath the absolutely massive central walkway that connects SES with the rest of campus was always so friggen cool. I am glad this addition did not affect the rest of the building in any way. It both blends in well on the western edge of SEL while also at the same time acting as a contrasting bright modern element.

[dewbs]

I feel like there's been a ton of activity recently on yimby and urbanize with ew proposals. This is the last month:

5056 N Ashland — 6 stories / 32 units — pending zoning — Aug 15
2434 W Bryn Mawr — 6 stories / 32 units — pending zoning — Aug 15
7728 N Sheridan — 3 stories / ? units — by right — Aug 12
2652 W Chicago — 5 stories / 57 units — pending zoning — Aug 6
6935 N Sheridan — 5 stories / 80 units — pending zoning — Aug 6
3233 N Sheffield — 5 stories / 92 units — pending zoning — Aug 5
2955 W Belmont — 5 stories / 24 units — pending zoning — Jul 31
3664 N Lincoln — 5 stories / 16 units — zoning approved — Jul 29
Harvest Homes (4026 W 5th Ave) — 3 stories / 50 units — zoning approved — Jul 29
2501 N Clark — 5 stories / 20 units — zoning approved (City Council) — Jul 28
3133 N Halsted — 5 stories / 66 units — zoning approved — Jul 22
2600 N Clark — 5 stories / 48 units — zoning approved — Jul 21

Six in the last two weeks. These aren't huge developments, and all of them probably won't happen, but it's still ~300 units in a couple weeks. Also interesting how concentrated it is -- lakeview plus far north side.

Here's what I have in posts about stuff that's under construction:

4907 N Paulina — 4 stories / 32 units — under construction — Aug 12
919–925 W Belmont — 5 stories / 46 units — under construction — Aug 11
925 W Belmont — 5 stories / 46 units — under construction — Aug 11
4713 N Clark — 5 stories / 36 units — under construction — Aug 7
1141 S Keeler — 2 stories / 6 units — under construction (permit issued) — Jul 30
1880 N Milwaukee — 5 stories / 44 units — under construction — Jul 21
5428 N Winthrop — 4 stories / 12 units — under construction (permit issued) — Jul 20
2254 W Chicago — 5 stories / 8 units — under construction (permit issued) — Jul 20
2206 W Lawrence — 5 stories / 10 units — under construction (permit issued) — Jul 18
4309 N Lincoln — floors TBD / 12 units — under construction — date TBD.

Similar distribution of locations.

Btw, you guys having trouble with Urbanize, the rss feed still seems to have full posts with no paywall for now

[k1052]

Originally Posted by dewbs

I feel like there's been a ton of activity recently on yimby and urbanize with ew proposals. This is the last month:

5056 N Ashland — 6 stories / 32 units — pending zoning — Aug 15
2434 W Bryn Mawr — 6 stories / 32 units — pending zoning — Aug 15
7728 N Sheridan — 3 stories / ? units — by right — Aug 12
2652 W Chicago — 5 stories / 57 units — pending zoning — Aug 6
6935 N Sheridan — 5 stories / 80 units — pending zoning — Aug 6
3233 N Sheffield — 5 stories / 92 units — pending zoning — Aug 5
2955 W Belmont — 5 stories / 24 units — pending zoning — Jul 31
3664 N Lincoln — 5 stories / 16 units — zoning approved — Jul 29
Harvest Homes (4026 W 5th Ave) — 3 stories / 50 units — zoning approved — Jul 29
2501 N Clark — 5 stories / 20 units — zoning approved (City Council) — Jul 28
3133 N Halsted — 5 stories / 66 units — zoning approved — Jul 22
2600 N Clark — 5 stories / 48 units — zoning approved — Jul 21

Six in the last two weeks. These aren't huge developments, and all of them probably won't happen, but it's still ~300 units in a couple weeks. Also interesting how concentrated it is -- lakeview plus far north side.

Here's what I have in posts about stuff that's under construction:

4907 N Paulina — 4 stories / 32 units — under construction — Aug 12
919–925 W Belmont — 5 stories / 46 units — under construction — Aug 11
925 W Belmont — 5 stories / 46 units — under construction — Aug 11
4713 N Clark — 5 stories / 36 units — under construction — Aug 7
1141 S Keeler — 2 stories / 6 units — under construction (permit issued) — Jul 30
1880 N Milwaukee — 5 stories / 44 units — under construction — Jul 21
5428 N Winthrop — 4 stories / 12 units — under construction (permit issued) — Jul 20
2254 W Chicago — 5 stories / 8 units — under construction (permit issued) — Jul 20
2206 W Lawrence — 5 stories / 10 units — under construction (permit issued) — Jul 18
4309 N Lincoln — floors TBD / 12 units — under construction — date TBD.

Similar distribution of locations.

Btw, you guys having trouble with Urbanize, the rss feed still seems to have full posts with no paywall for now

Lakeview is extremely hot again. The for sale inventory is almost non-existent and people are getting into bidding wars for anything that doesn't have some major drawback.

[Randomguy34]

Originally Posted by dewbs

5056 N Ashland — 6 stories / 32 units — pending zoning — Aug 15

the 40th Ward office released a (small) rendering of 5056 N Ashland


https://40thward.org/2025/08/zoning-proposal-5054-58-n-ashland-avenue/

[ithakas]

This Pilsen proposal designed by Krueck and Sexton looks nice: https://www.1845pilsen.com/

It would be great for the city (and its architecture community) if these Missing Middle projects picked up and started bringing more commissions to forward-thinking firms like K+S, ParkFowler Plus, etc.

[ardecila]

Originally Posted by ithakas

This Pilsen proposal designed by Krueck and Sexton looks nice: https://www.1845pilsen.com/

It would be great for the city (and its architecture community) if these Missing Middle projects picked up and started bringing more commissions to forward-thinking firms like K+S, ParkFowler Plus, etc.

I live in the neighborhood and of course I was not notified of the recent public meeting for this. Typical 25th ward shitty outreach. I fully support their zoning change and I wish them the best of luck, but it's very unusual to commission a detailed architectural design before even crafting a workable proforma to make the building pencil out. The developer seems experienced and well-connected in affordable housing circles, but they have not committed to market rate vs affordable, condo vs rental, etc.

Maybe the idea is to wow the neighborhood with great architecture, but that's not how average people think. Most people will either hate the architecture purely because it's new and big, or they will be indifferent. You might get some support from left-leaning types if it's affordable or social housing, but the developer is non-committal on this.

The pitch does seem highly geared towards YIMBY types, with lots of buzzwords like "missing middle" and "NOAH" but Chicago's biggest YIMBY group AHIL has so far shied away from advocating in Pilsen - it's not great optics for mostly white activists to helicopter into a poor Latino neighborhood, especially when the North Side is full of privileged neighborhoods that also block development.

[aaron38]

Originally Posted by cloudbod

Do we have a UIC thread? I checked out the recently-opened Computer Design Research & Learning Center yesterday and it bangs

The fact that it enclosed what was previously the exterior of the Engineering Lab and connected it on 5 different floors is super cool to me. Reminds me of the kind of "exterior-facade-within-atrium" buildings of the 80s (70 W Madison, etc) that are always so liminal and dreamlike.

Did they really? The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign did the same thing with the Digital Computer Lab in 1989 with an addition that wrapped around the original building with an atrium. I always liked that building, it's a cool concept. Glad it got repeated.