Grace Manor Apartments celebrates ribbon cutting

Mayor Brandon Johnson recently joined Alderwoman Monique Scott (24th), Rev. Marvin Hunter of Grace Memorial Baptist Church, DOH Commissioner Lissette Castañeda, CHA Chief of Staff Kemena Brooks, CEO of Aetna Better Health of Illinois Melanie Fernando, new residents, and members of the North Lawndale community for the ribbon cutting ceremony at the brand-new Grace Manor Apartments. Located at 3401 W. Ogden, the project was developed by East Lake Management Corporation in partnership with Grace at Jerusalem Community Development Corporation.

“Today we take a crucial step towards meeting a simple demand Dr. Martin Luther King made 60 years ago right here in North Lawndale—that there be a fairer distribution of resources in Chicago, and an increase in the supply of high-quality affordable housing,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “We may not get to see every dream for our communities realized either, but this afternoon, we’re fulfilling our promise right here on this corner. As we celebrate today’s ribbon cutting and this incredible new development, we push forward with the transformation of our city. Block by block, neighborhood by neighborhood.” 

Designed by JGMA, the mixed-use building stands six floors tall, holding 65 affordable housing units and ground floor retail space. The residential unit mix will deliver 46 apartments marketed at 60% AMI, including 22 one-beds and 24 two-bed configurations. The remaining 19 rentals will be fulfilled under the CHA RAD program, offering 9 one-beds and 10 two-bedroom units.

The development’s ground floor includes space community and commercial tenants who will be supported by a public gathering space in front of the building, featuring outdoor seating areas and bicycle parking. Residents will have access to on-site laundry, community rooms, a computer room, bicycle storage, supplemental tenant storage on each floor, and an outdoor patio. A rooftop deck on the sixth floor will be accessible to all tenants. 

Grace Manor will employ a Resident Service Coordinator who will work to enhance quality of life by facilitating access to job placement services and help residents understand their lease and tenant obligations. 

The project received $40.4 million in financing and capital support from DOH, who assisted in the sale of seven City-owned lots to make the development possible. With construction led by general contractor Burling Builders Inc, the project created 150 construction jobs and exceeded the city’s inclusive hiring goals of 26% MBE and 6% WBE.