Sterling Bay plans mass timber midrise at 2100 N. Southport

Sterling Bay has announced plans to build a nine-story mass timber multifamily development at 2100 N. Southport. When constructed, the building will be the tallest timber-made building since before the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The structure, designed by Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture, will feature 130 residential units with private access to on-site luxury amenities, as well as exposed mass timber details throughout and thoughtfully curated ground floor retail.

“Over 150 years after the Great Chicago Fire, and with the help of incredible technologies, Sterling Bay is reintroducing Chicago to large-scale timber construction, setting a new standard for future-forward development in our city,” said Andy Gloor, CEO of Sterling Bay. “Mass timber buildings are safe, sustainable, and beautiful, and we are excited to lead Chicago’s real estate community in working with this innovative building material at 2100 N Southport.”

The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 was a pivotal turning point for Chicago as it incited a rebirth that paved the way for world-class innovation and architecture to find a home in the Midwest, completely transforming the evolution of construction and accelerating the global rise of steel and concrete. While timber was seen as an unsafe and unstable building material after the fire, recent advancements in adhesives that allow for the creation of mass-timber, a fire-resistant laminated timber alternative, have inspired architects, builders, and sustainability advocates around the world to revisit timber construction for its natural beauty, durability, and reduced carbon emissions.

The construction of 2100 N. Southport is estimated to produce significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions than a similar building produced with traditional concrete and steel. And, in addition to its environmental benefits, experts say that incorporating natural elements like wood into buildings can provide biophilic benefits as well, such as improving the overall well-being of those who live and work in timber-made spaces. 

Construction on 2100 N. Southport is estimated to begin in early 2023.