Three-story commercial building planned at South Branch RFP site

The Chicago Department of Planning and Development has selected a three-story commercial development for the South Branch RFP site at 466 W. Cermak. Located in Armour Square, the city-owned site faces the South Branch or the Chicago River and is bound by W. Cermak Rd and S. Grove St to the south and east respectively. 

Planned by Chinatown developer Mao S. Mei, the project will take shape as a three-story, 28,000 square foot commercial building. The project would have a riverfront restaurant, medical and professional offices, and an adult day care. 48 on-site parking spaces would be included.

Designed by Pappageorge Haymes Partners, the three-story building responds to its context within the Pilsen Industrial Corridor adjacent to the Cermak Road Bridge Historic District by using a largely masonry and glass exterior with a second-floor terrace. 

With Site Design Group serving as the landscape architect, the site’s two hundred feet of river frontage will have landscaping and a 30-foot building setback will provide space for outdoor dining and other outdoor activities. 

The $6 million development was the only RFP respondent to not request city financing and plans to pay $1.165 million to purchase the city-owned land. The city’s sale of the property is expected to occur in 2026 with construction to follow, pending City Council approval.