The Chicago Plan Commission has approved plans for a new mixed-use development known as “The Phoenix” at 3611 North Halsted Street in Chicago’s Lake View East neighborhood. The project will occupy a large vacant lot just north of West Addison Street and continues a wave of new construction activity in the North Halsted corridor.
The development is being led by local developer David Gassman, working with Studio Dwell Architects on the design. With Plan Commission approval secured, the project will now move forward for consideration by the Chicago City Council.
If approvals proceed as expected, the development team hopes to begin construction later this year, with completion targeted for 2027.
12-Story Tower Design and Building Structure
The Phoenix is designed as a 12-story mixed-use residential tower rising above a ground-floor podium structure. The building will feature a modern architectural profile that includes an inset tower massing positioned more than 12 feet back from the podium edge.
Chicago Yimby reports that this design strategy helps create visual separation between the tower and street level while maintaining a pedestrian-friendly scale along Halsted Street.
Inset balconies will line the sides of the tower, providing outdoor space for residents while adding depth to the building façade. The upper levels will also include a rooftop amenity floor with an outdoor deck offering views of the Chicago skyline.
Podium and Parking Structure
The ground floor will feature a site-wide mini podium that supports the residential tower above. This podium will house several key building functions, including:
- A split-level parking garage with 77 vehicle spaces
- Residential lobby and building services
- A 900-square-foot commercial space
Constructing a parking podium beneath a residential tower requires careful structural coordination. Reinforced concrete slab systems and column grids must support the residential floors while allowing for efficient vehicle circulation below.
The commercial space will also include access to a small outdoor patio, created by repurposing a portion of a nearby alley that will be vacated as part of the project.
Residential Unit Mix
The Phoenix will deliver 188 residential apartments, offering a range of unit types designed to accommodate different living arrangements.
The unit mix includes:
- 96 studio apartments
- 56 one-bedroom units
- 36 two-bedroom units
This distribution provides a variety of housing options while maintaining an efficient building layout that supports mid- to high-density residential living.
Rooftop Amenities and Resident Spaces
At the top of the building, residents will have access to a rooftop amenity floor and outdoor deck. Rooftop amenities have become a standard feature in modern residential construction, requiring specialized structural reinforcement, waterproofing systems, and durable outdoor finishes.
Rooftop amenity areas typically incorporate seating areas, landscaping elements, lighting systems, and safety railings, all designed to create functional outdoor spaces for residents.
Project Cost and Development Scope
The Phoenix development carries an estimated construction value of approximately $65 million. A project of this scale requires coordination across multiple phases of construction, beginning with site preparation and progressing through structural assembly and interior buildout.
With the site currently vacant, the project will begin with excavation and foundation work before vertical construction of the podium and tower.
Construction Trades Involved
A mixed-use residential building of this size involves a wide range of construction professionals and trades, including:
- Excavation and site preparation crews
- Concrete foundation and structural contractors
- Structural framing specialists
- Masonry and façade installation teams
- Roofing and waterproofing contractors
- Mechanical and HVAC installers
- Electrical contractors
- Plumbing and fire protection trades
- Elevator installation teams
- Interior finishing trades such as drywall, flooring, and painting
- Landscape and rooftop amenity installers
Continuing Growth in the North Halsted Corridor
The Phoenix joins a growing list of new developments proposed along the North Halsted corridor in Lake View East. The area has seen increased development activity in recent years, including proposals for additional hotels and residential projects nearby.
By transforming a vacant lot into a mixed-use building with residential units, retail space, and parking, the project adds density while contributing to the ongoing redevelopment of the corridor.
Next Steps Toward Construction
With approval from the Chicago Plan Commission secured, the project now moves to the Chicago City Council for final authorization. If approved, the development team plans to begin construction later this year.
Once completed in 2027, The Phoenix will introduce a new residential tower and mixed-use space to North Halsted, continuing the area’s steady transformation through modern urban development and construction.
