PRC approves mixed-use development at 169 N. Morgan

The Permit Review Committee, a subcommittee of the Commission on Chicago Landmarks, has approved a proposed mixed-use development at 169 N. Morgan. Planned by Hubbard Street Group, the project site is a midblock property on N. Morgan St between W. Randolph St and W. Lake St. Located within the Fulton-Randolph Market Historic District, the site is currently occupied by a vacant three-story industrial building that will be replaced by the new development. 

Designed by Hirsch MPG, the proposal would take shape as a five-story mixed-use building reaching approximately 68 feet tall. The new building would feature 3,348 square feet of retail space, 20 residential units, 20 bike parking spaces, but no car parking spaces. To meet ARO requirements, four of the units would be set aside as affordable. 

On the ground floor, the 3,348 square feet of retail space will occupy the majority of the ground floor, with a residential entry corridor next to the retail space and mechanical space and the bike storage room at the back of the ground floor. On the upper floors, each floor will have five units, with a total unit mix of 12 one-beds and 8 two-beds. 

The building’s design will rebuild the existing structure’s three-story facade with salvaged or matching brick while constructing an entirely new structure behind it. The massing sets back six feet from the front facade above the third floor and switches to a metal panel facade on the fourth and fifth floors. The building design also incorporates an interior light court to provide light and ventilation to units on the interior of the lot line building.

The Permit Review Committee reviewed the plans for rebuilding the existing historic facade. The existing parapet will be rebuilt in kind with additional height integrated into the new rebuilt facade. The ground floor facade has been redesigned to integrate retail space and the windows on the second and third floors have been reconfigured to meet light and ventilation requirements for the residential units inside. 

To allow for the scope of the project, the developer is seeking to rezone the site from C1-2 to DX-5. Since the building sits within the Fulton-Randolph Market District, the PRC approval comes as a separate approval required for the redevelopment to move forward. Approvals will still be needed from the alderman, the Committee on Zoning, and City Council for the property’s rezoning. A timeline for the project has not been announced.