The Chicago Lighthouse celebrates opening of Foglia Residences

The Chicago Lighthouse, in partnership with Brinshore Development LLC and the City of Chicago, recently commemorated the opening of The Foglia Residences at The Chicago Lighthouse. Located at 1134 S. Wood in the Illinois Medical District, The Foglia Residences is the first residential project directed at people who are blind or visually impaired to be financed through Low Income Housing Tax Credits in the United States. 

“With a tower evoking The Chicago Lighthouse’s beacon of hope, The Foglia Residences serves as a model for similar residential projects across the country,” said Dr. Janet P. Szlyk, President and CEO of The Chicago Lighthouse. “For people who are blind or visually impaired, finding safe, affordable, accessible housing is more difficult than it ought to be in the United States. We are proud to be part of the solution.”

The building has 76 apartments with a unit mix of 18 studios, 40 one-beds, and 18 two-bedroom apartments. Residents will have access to a fitness center and a community room with outdoor roof deck on the fourth floor. The second and third floors will have 58 parking spaces and there will be ground-floor retail.

Designed by LBBA Architects, the design includes accommodations and features that are important to independent living for people who are blind or visually impaired. Features include high-contrast wall-tiles, varied floor textures to indicate room transitions, guide rails in public areas, and Braille signage.

McShane Construction and Ashlaur Construction led the construction.