Plan Commission approves LPO for Sarah’s Circle at 4458 N. Clarendon

The Chicago Plan Commission has approved a Lakefront Protection Ordinance application for Sarah’s on Clarendon, a new supportive housing development at 4458 N. Clarendon planned by Sarah’s Circle. Based in the Uptown neighborhood, Sarah’s Circle is a social service organization that serves women experiencing homelessness through a continuum of programs that includes daytime support, interim housing, rapid rehousing, and permanent supportive housing. 

Planned as a multi-phase development, the project will occupy a vacant site along N. Clarendon Ave bounded by W. Sunnyside Ave to the north and W. Agatite Ave to the south. The first phase will be the seven-story building along W. Sunnyside Ave with a future 11-story building in the middle of the site. The southern end of the property is envisioned as a future third building to complete the property but is not included the Sarah’s Circle development.

The first phase will be a seven-story building expected to reach 85 feet in height. The building would have 54 supportive housing units on the upper floors with a ground floor featuring management offices and shared community room space. Residents will also have access to outdoor space on the property to the south of the building. 

Designed by Perkins&Will, the building uses material expression to reflect the different programming in the building. Fiber cement siding is used on the residential spaces, face brick encloses support and circulation spaces including stairs and elevators, and the storefront glazing is used at community rooms and offices. Ribbons of vision glazing are used at the ends of corridors and at the elevator lobbies to provide light and views while creating reliefs in the building’s massing. 

With the Lakefront Protection Ordinance approval secured, the project’s zoning review is complete as it does not require a separate zoning change for the site. The $34 million development is expected to be funded with IHDA LIHTC equity and money from the City of Chicago, but financing has not been finalized. Construction could begin in Fall 2027 and would wrap up by Spring 2029.