Four mixed-use redevelopment proposals for City-owned property at Van Buren Street and Plymouth Court were unveiled by the Department of Planning and Development as part of Chicago's participation in the international C40 Reinventing Cities competition.
According to Chicago.Gov, each proposed project is seeking to replace a vacant, City-owned parking garage and adjacent land which total 16,000 square feet.
A Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued by the Department of Planning and Development in 2020. The City's pending selection of a winner is expected to be Chicago's first net-zero carbon high-rise. This will be a highly efficient building that operates on carbon-free renewable energy.
Each project is proposing zero parking and will be maximizing its proximity to adjacent Pritzker Park through coordinated site planning and funding for physical improvements.
"The responses to the C40 RFP reflect a strong desire by the development community to create architecturally innovative, sustainable projects that bring affordable and workforce housing options and other public benefits to the Loop."
Department of Planning & Development Commissioner | Maurice Cox
The proposals will include the following:
Assemble Chicago
Lead by local developer the Community Builders and architect Studio Gang.
This will be a twenty-story structure that would feature 207 residential units and commercial spaces that will include:
- Two-story podium
- A food hall for small, minority-operated restaurants
- Non-profit office and meeting space
- A produce grocer
- A medical clinic
All housing units would be priced for incomes ranging from 30 to 80 percent of the area's median income. The approximately $102 million proposal would also commit $2 million toward Pritzker Park improvements.
Common Good Collaborative
Developers Lendlease and KMA Co. and architecture firms Valerio Dewalt Train and Latent Design.
A twenty-one story structure would feature 305 residential units and include:
- A market hall
- Artisan exchange for small businesses
- A community center offering homeless services
Twenty percent of the residential units would be rented at 60 to 80 percent AMI, 125 units would be rented at 90 to 120 percent AMI, and the rest would be at market rates. The $99.9 million proposal would also include $2 million toward Pritzker Park improvements.
ecoVIBE
Developers City Pads and DL3 Realty Advisors and designed by Perkins + Will.
This twenty-one story structure would feature 224 residential units and include:
- A cafe
- Gallery space
- Medical clinic
Thirty percent of the residential units would be for artists or creatives with incomes below 60 percent AMI, about 112 units for incomes at 120 percent AMI and 44 units for incomes at 140 percent AMI. The $128.5 million proposal would also include $1.25 million toward Pritzker Park improvements.
Inspiration Exchange
Developers Turnstone Development and Lightengale Group along with designers MKB Architects and Mir Collective.
This twelve-story structure would feature 81 studio units, with half of the units dedicated to permanent supportive housing for individuals experiencing homelessness and the other half targeted for singles and couples with incomes ranging from 30 percent to 60 percent AMI.
Lower level spaces would include:
- A cafe
- Community meeting rooms
- Gallery space
- Medical clinic
- Social Services
- Free community dining and kitchen, restrooms and hygiene facilities
The $42 million proposal would also commit $100,000 toward Pritzker Park improvements.
Urbanize Chicago states that the Chicago Department of Planning and Development will co-host a virtual town hall meeting with Alderman Sophia King to discuss the four proposals on May 3 at 5:00 pm. One of the finalists, Team Unity from developer Keith Giles has dropped out.
The winning proposal is expected to be selected this spring. A formal review and approval process will follow, including public hearings for potential zoning changes and the sale terms for the property.
The Loop parcel is the second Chicago site to take part in the C40 Reinventing Cities initiative. Last March, the Garfield Green proposal won a competition to transform city-owned land in East Garfield Park into mixed-income apartments with rooftop urban agriculture and solar panels. That project is currently working to secure financing.
