The Zoning Board of Appeals has approved a set of variances for the building at 757 W. 79th. This is one of two buildings in the Auburn Gresham Apartments project. Developed out of the Invest South/West RFP, the buildings are being developed by Imagine Group and Evergreen Real Estate Group.
The architects are Nia Architects and Ross Barney Architects who are both collaborating on the design. The scheme won the RFP as a single building project but has now evolved into a two-building plan after meetings with local community members and stakeholders.
Urbanize Chicago states that the first building, located at 838 W. 79th, will include:
- Three floors
- Mix of commercial and residential space
- Ground floor will have 5,200 square feet of commercial space and will be occupied by West African food purveyor AYO Foods.
- Upper floor will consist of 28 apartments
- Split between one-beds, two beds, and three-bedroom configurations
- 28 parking spots
The second building, located at 757 W. 79th, will include:
- Five floors
- Mix of retail and residential space
- Ground floor will have 3,300 square feet of commercial space that will be occupied by KLEO Community Center and The Park Supper Club
- Upper four floors will hold 30 apartments
- Ranging from one-beds to three-beds
- 14 parking spaces
The Zoning Board of Appeals has approved two variances which will apply only to the building at 757 W. 79th. The first variance will allow for the reduction of the rear setback from the usual 30 feet down to 8 feet. The second variance allows for the development to not comply with the building location standards of the pedestrian street designation of 79th St.
The development is almost entirely city funded and estimated to cost $43 million. The project will be receiving:
- $18 million in Tax Increment Financing
- $18 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credits equity
- $2.5 million HOME loan
- Land write-down of approximately $180,000
With ZBA approval and permits actually pending now, work is likely to begin shortly. A timeline of 18 months is expected for construction.
DataBid is currently reporting on this project - Auburn Gresham Apartments Site No. 1 - Chicago (0010101922)
DataBid is currently reporting on this project - Auburn Gresham Apartments Site No. 2 - Chicago (0011101922)
