Revised design revealed for mixed-use development at 23 S. Sangamon

A revised design was recently presented to the community for the proposed mixed-use development at 23 S. Sangamon. Planned by Fern Hill and Free Market Ventures, the project is located at the northeastern corner of S. Sangamon St and W. Monroe St. The developers most recently planned a 19-story condominium tower for the site that was approved back in 2021.

Since its approval, construction costs have risen, and the project is no longer financially viable as condos. The revised plan looks to put forward an economically feasible development plan while also supporting the community’s need for public space by including a community center.

With Eckenhoff Saunders leading the design, the project has taken shape as a 27-story mixed-use tower with 130 apartments and 63 condos as well as a multi-level community center and 73 parking spaces. Of the 130 apartment rental units, 26 will be set aside as affordable at a weighted average of 60% AMI, as required by the city. 

The building’s ground floor will have a residential entry for apartments at the corner of W. Monroe St and S. Sangamon St with a separate condominium entry further north along S. Sangamon St. A small retail space and entrance to the community center will occupy the south frontage along W. Monroe St. The remaining back portion of the ground floor will include mechanical spaces and parking/loading access.

On the second and third floors, the building’s podium will provide 73 parking spaces with community rooms along the south side of each floor overlooking Mary Bartelme Park. The fourth floor will be a full floor dedicated to the community center with outdoor squash courts, pickleball courts, and tennis courts. The community center and field house would be fully funded, maintained, and staffed by Fern Hill.

Above the podium, floors five through sixteen will hold apartments ranging from studios up through four-bedroom layouts. The 17th floor will be a dedicated amenity floor with an outdoor deck, pool, amenity lounge, sauna, and fitness center. Above, the top nine floors of the building will host the condominiums in the building with four- and five-bedroom layouts all with their own outdoor terraces. Fern Hill expects condos to be priced at $900-$1,000 per square foot.

To allow for the scope of the development, the developers will need an amendment to the Planned Development. Approvals will be needed from Alderman Conway, the Chicago Plan Commission, Committee on Zoning, and City Council. If the project is approved by the city, the developer plans to launch a pre-sale campaign that could last about a year.