City Council approves funding for Armour Institute conversion

The City Council has approved the funding stack for the renovation and conversion of the Armour Institute building. Located at 3300 S. Federal, the building sits on the Illinois Institute of Technology campus next to the Metra tracks along W. 33rd St. Ohio-based MCM Company and Washington Park Development Group are partnering on the development.

Originally built in 1893 as the main building for the Armour Institute, IIT’s predecessor, the historic masonry structure was designed in the Romanesque Revival style by Patton & Fisher and was designated as a Chicago landmark in 2004.

With Pappageorge Haymes leading the design, the conversion will see the academic building carved up into 102 new apartments. Split into 93 studios and 9 one-beds, the units will also be separated into 81 market-rate apartments and 21 affordable rentals. Residents will have access to a suite of amenities including a fitness center, community rooms, bicycle storage, and a new rooftop deck. 

Work on the building will include the removal of two fire escapes on the exterior, with a new interior stair being added for egress. The existing boiler structure at the south end of the building will be rebuilt to provide space for apartments and common areas. Exterior windows will be repaired and replaced as needed, and the masonry facade will be repaired as well.

The developers will be financing the approximately $36.8 million project through a number of sources. Sources include $2.3 million in developer equity, $3 million in deferred developer fees, $6.3 million Historic Tax Credits, $14.7 million in lender financing, $2.5 million in TIF funding, $3 million City Grant funding, and $5 million in CIC funds. 

With City Council approval of the funding stack, including the approved TIF funding, work can move forward on the building. Permits have yet to be filed for the work, with no official timeline announced for the construction.