The Chicago Plan Commission has given its approval for the mixed-use development at 1200 West Carroll Avenue, setting the stage for a transformative new residential tower in one of the city’s fastest-growing districts. Led by TR Management + Consulting with architectural design by Thomas Roszak Architecture, the plan brings a fresh vision to Fulton Market following the withdrawal of Sterling Bay’s earlier office-tower concept. With financing secured and groundbreaking anticipated for early 2026, the project is now positioned to reshape the northwest corner of Racine and Carroll with new housing, retail, and public green space.
The current proposal replaces Sterling Bay’s previously approved stacked-box office design, pivoting toward a residential-forward mixed-use tower that aligns with Fulton Market’s continued evolution into an urban village. The 29-story, 312-foot tower will occupy the northwest corner of the site, leaving room for a publicly accessible green space at the intersection. This shift in layout improves pedestrian access, enhances streetscape character, and helps integrate the development with the neighborhood’s increasingly residential profile.
Chicago Yimby reports that the plan includes 16,000 square feet of retail within the podium and an additional small commercial building on the north side of the lot. The smaller structure will house a second-floor suite with an outdoor terrace, offering flexibility for restaurant, café, or boutique office users.
Thomas Roszak Architecture’s design features a dramatic window-wall façade accented with two-tone metal panels arranged in a distinctive cross pattern. This creates a visually striking tower profile while maintaining clean lines suited to Fulton Market’s emerging skyline.
The project’s pocket park anchors the design. This open space will include:
Shaded seating areas
Large trellises for sun protection
Open-lawn areas for seasonal programming
Pathways connecting to adjacent retail and residential entrances
Designed as an amenity for both residents and the public, this green space reinforces community engagement and softens the transition from street level to tower.
The development will introduce 397 new residential units, thoughtfully distributed to meet diverse lifestyle needs:
97 studios
171 one-bedrooms
129 two-bedrooms
Unit sizes range from 467 to 1,550 square feet, appealing to singles, couples, and families alike. Many homes along the tower’s edges will include private balconies, enhancing outdoor access in a dense urban setting.
In accordance with the City of Chicago’s affordable housing requirements, 80 units will be designated as affordable, contributing significantly to local housing supply.
Amenities will play a central role in the tower’s appeal. The podium will contain a 154-stall parking garage, which will be topped with a full suite of outdoor features, including:
A pool deck with lounge seating
A dog run
Residents’ outdoor social spaces
Landscaped urban terraces
A rooftop amenity floor will offer panoramic skyline and river views, indoor lounges, fitness facilities, and co-working spaces designed to meet evolving residential expectations.
The $188-million project will rely on a robust construction strategy tailored to dense-site building. Expected components include:
Deep foundation caissons to support the 29-story structure
Reinforced concrete core and floor plates, standard for Chicago high-rise construction
Curtain-wall and metal panel façade systems designed for energy efficiency and durability
Integrated mechanical penthouses to house building systems and reduce façade impact
Once building permits are issued, early work will include site preparation, excavation, caisson drilling, and utility relocation before vertical construction begins.
A large-scale high-rise development like 1200 West Carroll Avenue requires a wide variety of skilled trades. Key contributors will include:
Surveyors and geotechnical engineers
Excavation and caisson crews
Concrete formwork carpenters and finishers
Rebar installers
Ironworkers for steel connections and roof structures
HVAC installers and sheet-metal technicians
Plumbers and mechanical pipefitters
Electricians and low-voltage specialists
Glaziers and curtain-wall installers
Waterproofing and insulation teams
Drywall installers, carpenters, and finish trades
Landscape and hardscape contractors for the park and terrace areas
These trades will work in carefully sequenced phases, supporting a safe and efficient build expected to run from 2026 to 2028.
With City Council approval and permits forthcoming, the 1200 West Carroll development is poised to become a signature project in Fulton Market’s ongoing transformation. Its blend of residential density, public amenities, and thoughtful design strengthens the neighborhood’s walkability, expands housing choices, and modernizes a key corner of the district.
By 2028, this new tower will rise as a symbol of Fulton Market’s next chapter — one that balances architectural ambition with community-oriented development and high-quality construction.