Matt Edlund with Gerding Edlen Development and Donald Copper with GREC Architects met with the NOWL Development Committee to present a proposed development at 156 N. Jefferson. The property is located between Jefferson and Des Plaines, one half block north of Randolph. There is an alley just north of the property that separates it from the 180 N. Jefferson Apartments and Fast Track restaurant. A group of existing condominium buildings is located just south of the property in the southwest corner of Des Plaines and Randolph and a surface parking lot is located south of the property at the southeast corner of Jefferson and Randolph. The Haymarket Memorial is located near the southeast corner of the property and the historic cobblestone alley near the memorial serves as part of the southern property line.
There is an existing building on the east side of the property. Though not historically landmarked, the developer intends to keep and renovate the existing building. Tenants in the building have been moving out over the past year. The developer plans to retain DX-7 zoning.
The remainder of the property will include a 2-story podium for parking (0.5 parking ratio) and ground-floor retail (northwest corner of the property) and a 14-story, 154’ high tower with apartments. There will be a total of 199 apartment units, mostly 1-bedroom (20% 2-bedroom, 15% studios). The podium will be set back 30’ from west lot line, with a pocket park (30’ x 55’) between the Haymarket memorial and the building entrance.
The tower will be recessed from both Des Plaines and Jefferson. The top floor will include five penthouses, a community space, fitness center, and mechanicals. The elevator will be “machine room-less”, which will eliminate the need for a pulley system.
Gerding Edlen is seeking LEED Gold certification for this project, which will include green space on the top of the podium. A portion of this area will be used by a local company (The Roof Crop) to raise crops.
Resident amenities will be located on the east side of the property (to avoid disrupting existing residents). An 800 sq ft indoor/outdoor dog run will be located near the northwest corner of the property.
Gerding Edlen has met with Ald. Reilly and with the nearby residential properties to establish a dialogue. Through these discussions, Gerding Edlen has committed to conduct vibration monitoring and implement other measures to minimize the effect on residents. In addition, acknowledging the importance of the Haymarket Memorial, Gerding Edlen has met with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events to identify necessary steps to preserve the site. As a result, the monument will be removed during construction (and refurbished) and reinstalled after the work. The Development Committee suggested, and Gerding Edlen agreed to meet with, the Chicago Historical Society as well.
Gerding Edlen expects to begin work in June of this year (to avoid the annual Haymarket Riot reenactment in May) and complete construction in August of 2017.
Next Steps
No zoning changes have been requested; NOWL will monitor progress on the project.
By: NOWL Development Committee Chair, Matt Letourneau
Monday, Jan. 11, 2016 (updated Thursday, May 19, 2016)
Related Links
- Gerding Edlen.com: http://www.gerdingedlen.com/ge-news/news/article/controller/News/action/detail/item/gerding-edlen-acquires-west-loop-building/ (3/25/15)
- Crain’s: http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/20150325/CRED03/150329968/west-loop-building-sold-to-oregon-developer (3/25/15)
- Chicago Patterns: http://chicagopatterns.com/redevelopment-in-sight-for-overlooked-151-year-old-former-factory/ (4/12/16)
- Chicago Architecture: http://www.chicagoarchitecture.org/2016/04/20/demolition-crews-tear-into-156-north-jefferson-street/ (4/20/16)