Renderings have been revealed for an updated development proposal at 1150 W Lake Street in West Loop. Flanking W Lake Street, the project scope includes two properties. The southern property is L-shaped, bound by W Lake Street, N May Street, W Randolph Street, and N Racine Avenue, with two buildings at the corner of W Randolph Street and N Racine Avenue not included in this parcel. The northern lot is bound by W Lake Street, N May Street, N Racine Avenue, and a public alley. Formerly the site of Amylu Foods, the new construction will demolish existing buildings on the southern portion and replace the vacant lot within the northern portion. LG Development Group is the developer behind the proposal.
Aerial Site View of 1150 W Lake Street. Rendering by Gensler
Designed by Gensler, the new construction consists of a two-tower scheme. The southern tower will rise 29 stories, topping off at 330 feet. Holding 486 residential units, the structure will also yield retail space on the ground floor and 261 parking spaces. The northern tower will encompass 18 floors, rising 222 feet. The mixed-use structure will meet W Lake Street with retail space and 29 parking spaces located on the ground level off the alley. The proposed unit mix has yet to be finalized but is projected to include 50 percent one-bedrooms, 30 percent studios, 15 percent two-bedrooms, and five to seven percent three-bedroom dwellings. Bike parking will be provided.
View of 1150 W Lake Street. Rendering by Gensler
As a revised project, the new scheme reflects a height cut of the southern tower down from the original 33 stories, while the northern tower was switched to residential use and increased from 11 floors to its updated 18 floors. This change in scope is the result of market changes that made financing unattainable in tandem with the update to the Fulton Market Innovation District plan that now allows residential uses north of W Lake Street.
Original vs. Revised Proposal for 1150 W Lake Street. Rendering by Gensler
The design of the towers reflect an effort to reduce the visual massing of the structures and improve light and air for surrounding buildings. While the original office development on the northern parcel was shorter and would’ve been built closer to to lot line, the residential replacement will be taller and thinner, with the bulk of its massing holding the corner of N Racine Avenue and W Lake Street. The remainder of the massing will set back from W Lake Street. The roof deck on top of the podium will now house space for residential amenities.
View of 1150 W Lake Street. Rendering by Gensler
The southern edifice rises in four distinct massings, creating a podium and three connected tower portions. The tallest section anchors the corner of N May Street and W Lake Street, creating a dialogue between the northern and southern projects. The facade sets back as it rises to create the podium, a 22-story portion, and the tallest 29-floor peak. The southern podium reaching W Randolph Street has been reduced in height and elongated, allowing for a pool amenity deck. Residential units will face the streets within the podium.
View of 1150 W Lake Street. Rendering by Gensler
The treatment of the facade of the different volumes changes to create variation within the same architectural language. Broken into three systems, it creates visual interest between the podium and tower portions. Variation of the podium design will create a collection of retail facades.
View of 1150 W Lake Street. Rendering by Gensler
The development will wrap the surrounding streets with active retail spaces and residential lobbies. A pedestrian alley will stretch from W Randolph Street to W Lake Street, creating a public open space that can offer space for informal retail pop-ups while activating the interior of the site.
Pedestrian Alley at 1150 W Lake Street. Rendering by Gensler
The developers have committed to producing 20 percent affordable units on site, for a total of 133 affordable housing dwellings. The unit mix for the affordable units will match that of the entire development, with those residences scattered within the buildings evenly.
East Elevation of 1150 W Lake Street. Drawing by Gensler
Expected to cost about $300 million, the two structures will be built one at a time. While it has not been finalized which one will go first, developers are anticipating the southern site to be commenced first. The timeline for approvals is expected by the end of the summer, going before the Chicago Plan Commission in June. After receiving zoning approval, final documentation of the construction drawings and permitting will last approximately eight to 10 months beginning in late July or August. Construction of the actual towers will require 18 months per building, with the first completion expected in 24-28 months from now. The second edifice will be started before the first phase is complete.
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So much parking for a project that has an L line going through the middle of it.. Good density, height, and design though.
There was not a “height cut” to the southern tower. Both the 33 and 29 story versions have a height of 330 ft. There was a reduction in number of units to 489 from 550 but the official height remains unchanged.
This is a much better plan with the addition of a slender 18-story high-rise over the 11-story squat box previously proposed. The street-wall will be more imposing and uniform. Hopefully a contiguous canyon forms around the green-line in the future.