Construction Nearly Complete for Five-Story Mixed-Use Addition at Chinatown’s 2353 S Wentworth Avenue

Photos show the near-complete construction of a five-story addition to an existing two-story building, located at 2353 S Wentworth Avenue in Chinatown. The project owner and developer, ME Wentworth LLC led by Che Mei Wong, has renovated the original two-story retail structure, while adding 149 rooms in a new four-floor hotel portion. An additional seventh-floor residential component appears to be in the works, which will include a single 3,000-square-foot penthouse unit.

2353 S Wentworth Avenue, prior to redevelopment. Via Google Maps

Last April, the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards issued a zoning ordinance allowing the property to convert from a designation of C1-3 Neighborhood Commercial District to C1-5 Neighborhood Commercial District, thereby permitting the seventh-floor penthouse. No new permits have yet been issued to reflect this change, though an on-site sign shows that in September the owner applied for a reduction in the building’s rear setback, in order to accommodate this new residential section.

2353 S Wentworth Avenue. Photo by Jack Crawford

Ronald Vari of Vari Architects is behind the design, whose facade has integrated a trio of cement siding, blue paneling, and brick to match the existing building. It is unknown if the new seventh-floor residential piece will continue with this aesthetic.

Site of addition at 2353 S Wentworth Avenue, via Google Maps

Beyond the 69 on-site parking units, a variety of transit options can be found in the vicinity. Nearest bus access includes north and southbound stops for Route 24, located at the adjacent corner of Wentworth & 24th Street. Other buses within a 10-minute walk include Route 44 to the west, Route 62 to the northwest, and Route 29 to the northeast. Those wishing to access the CTA L can find nearest Red Line access at the Cermak-Chinatown station, a seven-minute walk north. The Green Line’s Cermak-McCormick Place station is also nearby, located a 12-minute walk northeast. Lastly, Orange Line service can be found at Halsted station, a 19-minute walk west.

Multiple parks also line the area, including Sun Yat Sen Playground to the southwest, Ping Tom Memorial Park to the north, and Park No. 540 to the east.

2353 S Wentworth Avenue, from rear. Photo by Jack Crawford

Summit Design + Build LLC and T2 Mechanical Inc. are the general contractors behind the project, with an initial reported cost of $4.1 million for the hotel portion. A full completion date is not currently known.

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