A major supportive housing initiative is taking shape in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood, as plans are revealed for the first phase of a new campus for Sarah’s Circle at 4458 North Clarendon Avenue. The project represents a significant investment in purpose-built supportive housing for women at risk of homelessness while activating one of the last remaining undeveloped lakefront-adjacent parcels in the area.
Bounded by West Sunnyside Avenue to the north and West Agatite Avenue to the south, the site sits directly across from the recently reopened Clarendon Fieldhouse. Once complete, the multi-phase campus will replace a long-vacant lot with a thoughtfully designed residential and community-focused development.
Sarah’s Circle, a non-profit organization focused on ending homelessness for women, intends to purchase the property and deliver the project in phases. The organization is working with long-time design partner Perkins&Will, leveraging experience from a recently completed Sarah’s Circle facility at 4737 North Sheridan Road, located nearby.
The first phase will establish the architectural language and operational framework for the full campus. The development team has structured the project to move forward without a zoning change, though approval under the lakefront ordinance will be required from the Chicago Plan Commission due to the site’s proximity to the lakefront.
Phase one consists of a seven-story building that will rise along West Sunnyside Avenue. The structure will reflect a similar scale, material palette, and design approach to Sarah’s Circle’s Sheridan Road facility, reinforcing continuity across the organization’s Uptown footprint.
Hoodline.com reports that the exterior will be clad in a combination of red brick and precast concrete panels, balancing durability with a warm, residential character that fits the surrounding neighborhood. The massing is designed to respect the adjacent streetscape while making efficient use of a constrained urban site.
No new parking is included as part of phase one, aligning with the project’s supportive housing mission and transit-oriented location. An adjacent lot will remain undeveloped until later phases are ready to proceed.
The ground floor is designed as the operational heart of the building, prioritizing resident services, safety, and community. Plans call for a large community room equipped with a kitchenette, providing space for gatherings, programming, and daily interaction.
Additional ground-floor features include a sensory room, offices for on-site support services, and dedicated space for 24-hour security. These elements are essential to the trauma-informed care model that guides Sarah’s Circle’s approach to housing, ensuring residents have access to support within a secure and dignified environment.
Outdoor space is also a key component of the design. The site will include a small paved patio as well as a large trauma-informed garden, offering residents access to nature and quiet outdoor areas that support healing and well-being.
Above the ground floor, the building will contain 54 residential units spread across the upper levels. All units are studio apartments with a defined sleeping area, compact kitchen, and private bathroom. This standardized unit layout allows for efficient construction while still providing residents with fully self-contained living spaces.
Each residential floor will include a dedicated laundry room, improving accessibility and convenience for residents while reducing the need for shared facilities at grade. The units will be reserved for women earning no more than 30 percent of the Area Median Income, which equates to approximately $25,000 per year, ensuring the building serves those with the greatest housing need.
While phase one is the most fully detailed, the site plan outlines two additional phases that will complete the campus over time. Phase two is shown as an 11-story building located near the center of the site, running parallel to Clarendon Avenue. This building would introduce additional supportive housing units, further expanding capacity.
A third and final building is anticipated along the southern portion of the property, though details for this phase have not yet been released. Together, the phased approach allows Sarah’s Circle to scale development in line with funding, approvals, and operational readiness.
The first phase of the Sarah’s Circle campus will require coordination across multiple construction disciplines, including:
Site preparation and excavation
Concrete foundations and structural concrete
Precast concrete panel fabrication and installation
Brick masonry
Structural framing
Roofing and waterproofing
Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems
Fire protection and life safety systems
Interior framing, drywall, and finishes
Elevator installation
Landscape construction and garden installation
The Sarah’s Circle campus at North Clarendon Avenue reflects a growing emphasis on purpose-built supportive housing as part of Chicago’s broader response to homelessness. By pairing durable construction, trauma-informed design, and phased delivery, the project aims to create long-term housing stability while fitting seamlessly into the Uptown neighborhood fabric.
As approvals move forward and timelines are finalized, the development will add meaningful construction activity and deliver deeply affordable housing in Chicago, reinforcing Uptown’s role as a center for inclusive and community-oriented development.