Update: Ald. Sophia King (4th) and the South Loop Advisory Council Development Committee will host a virtual community meeting to discuss the development at 424 S. Wabash on Thursday, June 24 at 5 p.m. More information regarding the meeting can be found here.
Developers may be eyeing a South Loop parking lot at 424 S. Wabash Avenue for a high-rise hotel project. According to a recent forum post on SkyscraperPage.com, the 26-story tower would include 270 guest rooms, a parking garage, and commercial space. Chicago architecture firm Pappageorge Haymes Partners is said to be behind the glassy design.
It's unclear which developer is behind the proposal, but signage in renderings of the proposal says Sonder—a boutique hospitality brand offering fully furnished short-term rentals. The San Francisco-based company has a growing presence in the South Loop and currently offers units in several nearby properties including the 820 Michigan, the Plymouth Building, and the Coeval Apartments.
The Wabash project would be an "as of right" development, meaning it doesn't require a zoning change or financial support from the city. These types of developments typically materialize behind the scenes because they do not go through the public approval process. Prentice Butler, the chief of staff for Ald. King, confirmed that such a project in the works for the South Loop site.
"There is a proposed development at the location that is an 'as of right project,'" said Butler in an email. "We have requested that the developer present the project to the community." Ald. King will soon announce a date for a community meeting to discuss the proposal for 424 S. Wabash Avenue, Butler told Urbanize Chicago.
