Renovation permit issued for affordable housing at 1801 S. Wabash

A renovation permit has been issued for the rehabilitation of an existing residential building into affordable apartments at 1801 S. Wabash. Located at the southeast corner of S. Wabash Ave and E. 18th St, the redevelopment is being led by Mercy Housing.

With Nia Architects serving as the architect, the existing building will have no significant changes to the building structure, but the interior will be renovated and reconfigured with a new interior layout. The ground floor will hold the in-house management offices, a residential lobby, package room, an activity room, a recreation room, and a fitness center. The building will be converted into 100 studio units that will be fully affordable. Behind the building, the courtyard will get new amenities including a playground and bike storage.

The entirely affordable project will be income-restricted to an average of 60% AMI. The City Council approved the rezoning of the site from DX-5 and DR-3 to a unified DR-5 with an overall Planned Development designation back in July 2023. 

With the renovation permit issued for the construction, general contractor Ujamaa Construction can begin work on converting the building.