ZBA approves residential conversion at 153 W. Ohio

The Zoning Board of Appeals has approved a special use application for the planned conversion of a five-story brick commercial building at 153 W. Ohio into residential units. Planned by Chicago developer Senco Properties, the existing building is located midblock between N. LaSalle St and N. Wells St. 

With FitzGerald in charge of the architecture, the building will be infilled with 35 residential units. The newly renovated building will contain a mix of 5 studios, 11 one-beds, 6 one-bed pluses, 11 two-beds, and 2 three-beds. With zero parking in the building, residents will have access to 38 bike parking spaces in the basement. 

While extensive interior work will be done, the exterior will see minimal changes to the exterior entryway and rooftop, with the building height remaining unchanged. The top floor units will be the only units to have balconies, while all residents will have access to a fitness center in the basement.  The ground floor will have the residential lobby and mailroom as well as two studios, a one-bed plus and a three-bed unit. 

The Zoning Board of Appeals has approved a special use application to allow for residential use on the ground floor of the development. With approval secured, the development can move forward with permitting and construction.