Updated renderings and plans have been revealed for the revised proposal of Old Town Canvas at 1610 N LaSalle Drive in Old Town. Located on the corner with W North Avenue, we recently covered the project’s long road towards Alderman approval after a multi-year process of community feedback and vocal NIMBY’s guarding their views.
Site context map of Old Town Canvas by GREC Architects
Comparative massing of Old Town Canvas by GREC Architects
Now after reaching a relative middle ground, developer Fern Hill has submitted the new plans for this month’s Plan Commission review. With GREC Architects working on the design, the final proposal resembles much of the original shorter and wider tower floated over a year ago. With it now rising 36-floors and 379-feet in height instead of the previous 500-foot proposal.
Rendering of Old Town Canvas by GREC Architects
Rendering of Old Town Canvas by GREC Architects
The project will be anchored by a seven-story podium that will occupy the majority of the site currently occupied by Walgreens. This Walgreens will temporarily relocate to the former Treasure Island grocery store building up the street, with plans to return to the ground floor of the completed tower along with a large lobby and expanded sidewalks.
Ground floor plan of Old Town Canvas by GREC Architects
Floor plans of Old Town Canvas by GREC Architects
Joining this will be a new vehicle drop off court along LaSalle and partially concealed by an extension of the podium’s brick facade with decorative arches. This will lead to the entrance of the parking garage with 285-spaces, many of which will be used by the members of Moody Church located across the street.
Rendering of Old Town Canvas by GREC Architects
Elevations of Old Town Canvas by GREC Architects
Floors eight to 34 above will hold 349-residential units, down from the previously proposed 500, made up of 106 studios, 162 one-bed, 54 two-bed, and 27 three-bedroom layouts. Of those, 70 will be considered affordable, down from the previously expected 100. With all residents having access to two amenity levels on the top floors with a rooftop pool deck.
Rendering of Old Town Canvas by GREC Architects
Rendering of Old Town Canvas by GREC Architects
As part of the alderman’s approval, Fern Hill will also be providing $1 million towards public traffic improvements around the project. This will include crosswalk and various roadway projects. They will also secure a new grocery tenant for the aforementioned Treasure Island space within 3.5 years.
The project will be reviewed by the Plan Commission this week where an approval is expected. the developer will now need to secure financing, with no construction timeline currently known.
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So excited for this one! This area of Old Town desperately needs the density and housing. Glad to they were able to find a favorable compromise for all parties!
Totally supportive of this project, but according to pro-NIMBY news sources, this was not a compromise. Alledgedly the opposition is furious and planning to continue to fight, and I qoute, the “high-rise takeover” of Old Town.
Interesting, we’ll have to show up any time the opposition makes an appearance. 1 new high rise isn’t exactly anything remotely like a takeover.
Anyone open to responsible development should attend their local community development meetings. I attend most in my neighborhood, and the vast majority of attendees show up opposed to any proposed development.
Wow, we cannot allow them to derail more development! The city desperately needs these units.
Support the project as well, though the taller, narrower version provided a better architectural and urban solution. The neighborhood opposition doesn’t realize what they wished for. They now have a shorter tower, but one that also blocks more of their “views”.
I’m all for this project to move forward. I would have preferred the original plan though, but new density to Old Town is a good thing regardless. Good luck trying to get in and out of the drive court, traffic is always backed up on LaSalle as cars are trying to turn right onto North Avenue. Should be interesting to see this construction started and completed!
looks good
street level details especially. I don’t care much about arbitrary building heights and unit counts
Same, and it’s just ok. A couple of big curb cuts along North Ave aren’t great for pedestrians, but otherwise I agree, it’s pretty solid.
Having that car court with nothing above it is a bad move.
Went from a beautiful slim skyscraper to a high rise. All of the nimby’s are still just as mad, but now we lost over 100′ of height and over 100 residences. How is this a good compromise? We lost all of the residences and height and they are just as mad as before. Why not just leave it at 500′?