Woodlawn Central could break ground this summer

The first phase of the mixed-use development dubbed Woodlawn Central could break ground this summer. Planned by J. Byron Brazier and his father, Apostolic Church pastor Byron Brazier, Woodlawn Central is a multiphase megadevelopment centered around the church at 6320 S. Dorchester. The 8-acre development will span beyond E 63rd St to the north, beyond E 64th St to the south, within S Kimbark Ave to the west, and stop at the Metra tracks to the east.  

In January, a zoning application was filed for the first phase of the project which will be Subarea C within the larger Planned Development, located east of the church. The property is bounded by E. 63rd St to the north, E. 64th St to the south, S. Dorchester Ave to the west, and the Metra tracks along the east, resulting in a long, narrow trapezoidal site.

Designed by Gensler, the first phase of development will occupy the site with a three-story podium that stretches across the entire property with two residential and hotel towers on top. Each reaching 160 feet in height, the northern tower will be oriented east/west running parallel to E. 63rd St while the southern tower will be oriented north/south at a diagonal parallel to the Metra tracks to its east. 

The Phase 1 project will deliver 231 residential units and a hotel within the two towers atop a podium that features retail and commercial space, 300 parking spaces, and 260 bike parking spaces. 60 car parking spaces will be set aside for residents, while the remaining 240 spaces will be non-accessory. The bike parking will have 231 of the spaces dedicated for the residents, with the remaining 29 available for general use. 

The building’s ground floor will have retail space at the north and south ends of the building, with residential/hotel lobbies for each tower facing S. Dorchester Ave. The S. Dorchester Ave street frontage will be completed by more retail and commercial space, as well as the loading dock access point and parking garage access. 

The building’s podium will hold the 300 parking spaces on floors two and three with the podium topped by a large residential amenity deck that includes an outdoor pool. The towers will rise from there, topping out at 14 stories and 160 feet in height. 

To allow for the project to move forward, the developers need to amend the site’s existing Planned Development. Approvals for that will be needed from the Chicago Plan Commission, Committee on Zoning, and City Council. As reported by the Sun-Times, J. Byron Brazier expects to go before the Chicago Plan Commission in March and hopes to break ground on the first phase in August pending city approvals.