The City of Chicago has officially selected 1Fifteen at Michigan Station as the winner of the Roseland Michigan Avenue RFQ. The selection comes nearly three years after the RFQ was initially issued in 2022 under the Invest South/West initiative. The development will replace a large vacant lot at the corner of Michigan Avenue and E 115th Street.
Site context map of 1Fifteen at Michigan Station via Google Maps
Rendering of 1Fifteen at Michigan Station via DPD
The project’s development team includes Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives, Far South Chicago Community Development Corp, and the Hope Center Foundation. The design team consists of BEEHYYVE and Gensler. The city and the team hope the mixed-use proposal will help revitalize the area with a new commercial hub after decades of disinvestment.
Rendering of 1Fifteen at Michigan Station via DPD
Rendering of 1Fifteen at Michigan Station via DPD
Built in multiple phases, the project will eventually connect to the Michigan Station of the CTA Red Line extension, which runs along the southern edge of the site. The initial four-story phase will rise along 115th Street with an undulating facade inspired by the region’s rock formations. It will include 97,000 square feet of mixed-use space anchored by a large outdoor plaza.
Rendering of 1Fifteen at Michigan Station via DPD
Rendering of 1Fifteen at Michigan Station via DPD
The ground floor will contain 26,000 square feet of commercial space, including a 15,000-square-foot grocery store, an 8,000-square-foot small business market hall, and restaurant space. The floors above will house 58 affordable units consisting of studios, one-, and two-bedroom layouts. These units will be available to individuals and families earning 30 to 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI).
Phasing of 1Fifteen at Michigan Station via DPD
Behind this first phase will be 130 parking spaces for residents, visitors, and future CTA riders. These will eventually be replaced by two future phases. The second phase includes retail space around the CTA station and another 48-unit mixed-use building along Michigan Avenue. The third phase will include another 41-unit mixed-use building, a community park, and various walk-up units.
Rendering of 1Fifteen at Michigan Station via DPD
The first phase will cost $48 million to develop and will also support the long-term affordability of the units. Funding will come from Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), Tax Increment Financing (TIF) dollars, bonds, and other sources. The development team must now secure approval from the city in order to proceed, with construction potentially beginning in 2027.
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Hallelujah, Hallelujah! The station development plan phase approach is good. The community would need a moment to think through future phases in order maximum urban potentials relative to the market. Affordable housing and commercial attraction has long been a desired for Roseland. The development team will certainly respond to the public cry for economic justice and inclusion. Hallelujah!
My apologies in advance if I’m missing something here.
I came across another news about a 37-unit project in North Center, with a reported construction cost of $6.5 million. In comparison, the first phase of this project is estimated at $48 million. Is this a typo or a joke?
Also, I’m curious – why is affordable housing being proposed in a neighborhood that’s already considered affordable?
The project costs include a lot more than just the affordable units. The costs quoted here include site prep work, all of the commercial space (which is often, on a per square foot basis, more expansive than residential), and the CTA spaces.
But honestly – $48M for 58 units and a floor of retail space and a parking lot. Seems like CHA buildings always come in around 700-900K per unit for “affordable” housing.
The RFQ was issued in 2022. Three years later they award. Construction won’t begin until 2027. Finish in 2029? And Its a nice looking building, but this is not a scalable way to address lack of low income housing in Chicago. They could support 2-3 times as many units much more quickly with housing vouchers or loans to developers. We have a real problem with low income housing and these ivory tower projects with 5-10 year timeframes don’t sound like the best policy.
And it will be near the Red line extension? Good luck with that one too. $6B for 5 miles of El, cost will surely go up from there if they ever build it. Certainly not by 2029. Is this really the best use of city funds?
Wait, so they’re building up all the way south here meanwhile stations way closer to downtown north that are far safer with more amenities have vacant lots surrounding the L station? Make it make sense
Also want Chicago to get out this small town mindset when it comes to development…4-5 story buildings is not what should be built next to L stations, developments like 43 Green should be the minimum.
Construction costs ride dramatically the taller you go. There just isn’t enough money to pay for a high-rise development when rents aren’t high enough.