Neighbors react positively, ask for less parking at 370 N. Carpenter

Sterling Bay yesterday presented their plans for a mixed-use development at 370 N. Carpenter to the local community. Currently occupied by a one-story structure, the site is bounded by W. Kinzie St to the north, N. Carpenter St to the east, the Metra tracks to the south, and N. Aberdeen St to the west.

Designed by Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture, the proposal would see the construction of a 28-story tower reaching 339 feet in height. The building’s massing meets the ground with a four-story masonry podium that sets back from N. Carpenter and the corner of W. Kinzie St and N. Aberdeen St to create public green space. Above, the residential tower rises in a bar shape that is angled to maximize views of downtown from the site and embrace the Metra tracks below.

With active uses fronting the sidewalks, the building’s residential lobby, mailroom, and fitness amenity space will occupy the corner of W. Kinzie St and N. Carpenter St. A bike room with 390 bike parking spaces will occupy the rest of the N. Carpenter St frontage next to the Metra tracks. The approximately 6,400 square feet of retail space will occupy the angled frontage at the corner of W. Kinzie St and N. Aberdeen St, with parking and loading access from N. Aberdeen St. A covered arcade along the Metra tracks will have a dog run and access to the bike room. 

With 390 rental apartments planned for the building, the unit mix is still in the works, but will consist of studios, one-beds, and two-beds. Select units at each end of the floorplate will have balconies. To meet affordability requirements, 20%, or 78 of the units, will be set aside as affordable. Residents will have access to a full floor of amenities on level five, with a large outdoor deck with pool included. The building will also be topped with amenity space on the 28th floor. 

With sustainability in mind, the development is looking to reach a Green Globes 2-Globes certification, reduce indoor water use, exceed the energy code, provide EV charging, and have green roofs on the building. 

During the meeting, neighbors had multiple questions and comments about the parking. Currently, the design will have three floors of parking in the podium, totaling 156 car parking spaces. One neighbor asked about underground parking, and the architect responded that they explored it but went away from it because the ramps necessary to go both up and down would have eaten up a lot of space. Since they are trying to maximize the amount of open space at grade and increase walkability, they consolidated the ramping and put all the parking above grade. 

As the meeting wrapped up, Burnett commented on the parking situation, discussing how if you build it they will come, indicating the fact that the more parking they build, the more traffic would be created in the area. Many community members on the call expressed support for the project and asked for less parking in the building. 

As Sterling Bay seeks to rezone the site from M2-3 to DX-7, with an overall Planned Development designation, they will be paying approximately $3.2 million into the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund to get an FAR bonus. After incorporating feedback from the community, the developer expects to go before the Chicago Plan Commission next, with approvals from the Committee on Zoning and City Council required after that. The development team is looking to begin construction in the second half of this year.