Initial details have been revealed for the residential conversion of the former office building at 50 E Superior Street in River North. Located mid-block between N Rush Street and N Wabash Avenue, the existing structure—and the surrounding row homes—was previously set to be demolished to make way for a new skyscraper.
Site map of 50 E Superior Street via Google Maps
While not much is known about the seven-story building, we do know it was originally used by the Western Methodist Book Concern as its Chicago warehouse and facility. Over the years, it changed hands until it was rezoned in 2017 for a much denser project: a 60-story residential skyscraper. However, after the local alderman rejected the proposal, the site remained in limbo.
PREVIOUS rendering of skyscraper proposal on site
Now, after years of lawsuits, the building has been purchased for $5.7 million by local developers Honore Properties and Peerless Development. They plan to convert the structure into 90 residential units, most likely consisting of studios through two-bedroom layouts. These will take advantage of the large existing lightwell that cuts through the center of the structure.
View of 50 E Superior Street via JLL
Because this is being built as-of-right, there will be no required affordable units on-site, nor will there be any community reviews or approvals. The conversion follows a trend seen across much of the city’s urban core over the past two years, adding much-needed housing. At the moment, no timeline is known.
Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail
Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates
Like YIMBY on Facebook
Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews
Re submit the 60 story planned building and get real density .
Those blocks are already insanely crowded with cars. A 60 story building would only add to that confusion and not improve the character of the area – already ruined with massive multi-story parking lots, podiums, etc. This is a handsome building that adds to the human scale of the street – plus the historic houses next to it. This is a win for River North.
Happy to see more housing downtown.
Nice to see 90 units added to an existing structure
Down to 2 articles a day. We are now like Philadelphia Yimby.
You’re not wrong.