After breaking ground last fall, a 100 percent affordable apartment complex in Logan Square is making considerable progress next to the neighborhood’s Blue Line Stop.
Construction crews recently topped out the seven-story project, known as the Emmett Street Apartments, and finished installing the majority of its yet-to-be-painted precast concrete panels.
Developed by nonprofit Bickerdike Redevelopment Corp., the plan will deliver 100 affordable-rate apartments, parking for 20 cars, and roughly 4,300 square feet of commercial space facing Kedzie Avenue. The building’s design by Landon Bone Baker gradually steps down from seven stories to two so it fits in with its low-rise residential neighbors.
A rendering of the seven-story project looking southeast on Emmett Street.Landon Bone Baker Architects
A transit-oriented development (TOD) in the truest sense of the term, the project is within spitting distance of the CTA Blue Line and a bus stop serving the #56 and #76 routes. The upcoming complex replaces an underutilized parking lot which the city sold to Bickerdike for $1. The city also set aside $10 million of tax-increment financing to support the Emmett Street Apartments.
Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th) shared a construction update at a community meeting earlier this week. According to Block Club Chicago, Ramirez-Rosa said crews are currently working to install windows and the building’s electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems.
The Alderman also tweeted aerial construction photos showing crews completing the roof of the structure. Bickerdike is on pace to complete the project in January and begin leasing apartments later this year.
Update on 2755 N. Milwaukee
The Emmett Street project isn’t the only TOD under construction around the Logan Square Blue Line stop. At nearby 2755 N. Milwaukee Avenue, work continues on a market-rate apartment building on the former site of Pierre’s Bakery, which was demolished in 2017.
The six-story development broke ground last spring and is now fully framed and topped-out. It is expected to open this year and will deliver 60 rental units above 9,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space.
Since developer R.P. Fox & Associates didn’t receive a zoning change or other city assistance, the project 2755 N. Milwaukee wasn’t subject to affordable housing requirements. The lack of affordable units sparked concerns over gentrification in the rapidly changing neighborhood.
Crews have topped out the six-story apartment development under construction at 2755 N. Milwaukee Avenue.Jay Koziarz/Urbanize Chicago
