Ald. Hopkins rejects Old Town Canvas at 1600 N. LaSalle

Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward has announced that he will not support the proposed Old Town Canvas mixed-use development. First revealed in September 2023, the project site is bounded by N. Wells St to the west, W. North Ave to the south, and N. LaSalle Dr to the east. Walgreens and a surface parking lot for Moody Church currently occupy the site.

Designed by GREC Architects, the 44-story mixed-use tower would include 500 rental units as well as retail on the ground floor for Walgreens. The building would include 300 parking spaces dedicated to Moody Church and 150 parking spaces for residents, as well as 500 bike parking spaces. The 494-foot-tall tower would include 100, or 20%, residential units set aside as affordable at or below 60% AMI. 

To improve traffic and circulation concerns, the project was redesigned to incorporate an expansive open-air off-street loading and drop off space accessed from N. LaSalle Dr. The building’s podium on the eastern side of the property had been slimmed down to make this open circulation space possible. Walgreens would no longer have a loading dock along W. North Ave, consolidating it into this circulation zone on the property that will accommodate all deliveries, pickups and drop-offs both for the residential use and for Walgreens operations.

The development has been met with fierce opposition from neighbors from the beginning, with changes and concessions not swaying the opinion of the community. While the zoning application has been officially filed for the project, the decision by Alderman Hopkins will stop the approval process in its tracks. Hopkins’ statement reported that the developer is preparing a compromise proposal for the site which is expected very soon.