Construction breaks ground on residential conversion of former Charles Warrington Earle School

Construction has broken ground on the Earle School Apartments affordable adaptive reuse development at 6121 S. Hermitage. Located at the southeast corner of S. Hermitage Ave and W. 61st St, the project site contains the former Charles Warrington Earle School and its surrounding parking lots and green space.

Planned by Gorman & Company, the development will adaptively reuse the school building, converting it into 50 units of affordable housing with 50 parking spaces.The 100% affordable development will have 4 one-beds at 50% AMI, 19 one-beds at 30% AMI, 2 two-beds at 50% AMI, 1 two-bed at 30% AMI, 4 two-beds at 15% AMI, 7 one-beds at 60% AMI, and 13 two-beds at 60% AMI.

Designed by local firm Beehyyve, the 1974 portion of the building will be demolished, with the rest of the school rehabbed. The historic school building will have its exterior cleaned and new windows will be installed to enclose the facade. 

On the inside, the amenity suite will include a sports court in the old gym space, a mail and package room, a computer lab, management offices and services offices, a community/activity room, a fitness room, a laundry room, and bike storage. Exterior amenities will include green space and a new playground.

The $33.5 million investment includes $4.2 million in TIF funding, $17.5 million in IHDA funding, a $225,000 ComEd grant, and $6.8 million in historic tax credits in addition to other sources.

With Burling Builders on board as the general contractor, construction is expected to conclude in December 2025 with leasing starting as soon as November 2025.