Nearly two and a half years after its caisson permit was issued, 1221 West Washington in the West Loop has come roaring back to life with a full building permit issued on May 16th. Recipients of the permission granted are the development team of Focus Construction, DAC Developments, and Melrose Ascension Capital.
Section of 1221 West Washington via Pappageorge Haymes Partners
Rendering of 1221 West Washington via Pappageorge Haymes Partners
The permit application was filed on October 20, 2022, and it was issued with a reported cost of just one dollar, though that figure could very well be erroneous. The estimated project cost is $100 million, according to DAC’s website.
1221 West Washington will be a 19-story, 287-unit apartment tower. A four-story podium will include about 3,000 square feet of retail space at street level and 183 parking spaces. The foundation permit was issued December 21, 2022 with Focus Construction as the general contractor and McHugh Concrete serving as the concrete contractor. That team stays on the field for the full build.
Floor Plans for 1221 West Washington via Pappageorge Haymes Partners
Elevation of 1221 West Washington via Pappageorge Haymes Partners
Google Maps
1221 West Washington is one block from CTA bus service via the Route 20 Madison line. For north-south travel, Route 9 and X9 buses stop four blocks west on Ashland Avenue, and the Route 8 bus stops along Halsted Street four blocks east. Elevated trains at the Morgan and Ashland Green/Pink Lines, as well as the Racine Blue Line, are all available within a half-mile walk to the north or south.
Nearby elevated train platforms, via Google Maps
The Chicago Machinery Exchange building at 1217 West Washington was permitted for demolition in January 2018. Designed by DH Burnham & Company and completed in 1910, it was extensively renovated in 2015. The building’s owner applied for a demolition permit and offered anyone interested in saving the façade to do so at their own expense, but those efforts prove unsuccessful. You can read more about the building and its demise here at Preservation Chicago.
A few photos of the Chicago Machinery Exchange Building at 1217 West Washington Boulevard, built in 1910, demolished in 2018:
1217 West Washington Boulevard. Efforts to find a savior for the historic facade were unsuccessful. Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Architectural detail. Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Architectural detail. Photo by Daniel Schell
One of Chicago’s few rooftop water tanks was lost with the demolition of the Chicago Machinery Exchange building. Photo by Daniel Schell
Looking south down Willard Court. Photo by Daniel Schell
The empty lot, June 2018. Photo by Daniel Schell
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The Chicago Machinery Exchange building should never have been demolished. So painful to see wonderfully detailed buildings obliterated.
So the permit took 3 years to be obtained? No wonder nothing gets built anymore. Probably another 5 years until this gets finished (If it ever).
This may not be the fault of the City. Sometimes, applicants will submit for permits and then hold off until they get financing.
This is part of the cut the red tape initiative.
😂