The Chicago Community Development Commission has approved TIF funds for the mixed-use redevelopment of part of the Central Manufacturing District on the southern edge of McKinley Park. Located at 1769 West Pershing Road, near the neighborhood’s namesake park, the two-building project has been in development for several years.
Site context for the main warehouse (left) and Site B (right) via Google Maps
The massive district spans 265 acres and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2016. Built in phases starting in 1905, the complex is considered the first modern planned industrial district in the nation, peaking in the 1950s. Since then, much of it has fallen into disrepair, with its iconic clock tower listed on this year’s 7 Most Endangered list.
Site plan of IBT Group LLC proposal by Epstein
Now, after winning the city’s RFP in 2023, the development team led by IBT Group is moving forward with their $186 million proposal. Design work is being led by Epstein, who’s namesake architect got started at the district. Initial efforts will focus on the six-story industrial building, beginning with structural remediation and the creation of a large central open-air atrium.
Rendering of IBT Group LLC proposal by Epstein
The atrium will allow for additional window space, enabling the development of 232,000 square feet of commercial office and lab space on the lower floors. Above this will be 172 residential units, an increase from the originally proposed 120. These will include studios, and one-, two-, and three-bedroom layouts, with 20 percent designated as affordable housing.
Rendering of all three rooftop parks of IBT Group LLC proposal by Epstein
Residents will have access to amenity spaces on the basement level, while all users will be able to enjoy a 105,000-square-foot rooftop park featuring a playground and café space. This park will eventually expand across three additional buildings and include a running track. The building will also be surrounded by 250 parking spaces in an existing lot.
Rendering of IBT Group LLC proposal by Epstein
To the east, the small building at 1717 West Pershing will be demolished to make way for a new 42,000-square-foot retail building, which the city hopes to lease to a grocery store. The project will be funded through the approved $30 million in TIF money, as well as $119 million in equity and loans, $23 million in historic tax credits, and other sources.
The land and building will be sold to the developer for $10. The team will now need to secure City Council approval for both the TIF funding and zoning changes. Construction will be executed by Arco Construction. A timeline has not yet been announced.
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What will happen to the other two buildings? Are they currently still in use?
In the early aughts I recall checking out the Mckinley Park Lofts to the west of this project and how they tried selling units at North side prices. They failed and a number of units had to be sold via auction.
The rent/sale prices of these units needs to be in line with the neighborhood and it’s lack of easy access to rapid transit.
Still unsure that this is the best place for housing, but I’m happy to see a historic warehouse saved. Hopefully we can find more ways to repurpose these Pershing warehouses, because it would be a shame to lose one of the warehouses to the west and leave this project as a residential island among industrial/distribution. This could be a great mixed-use corridor and these buildings lend themselves to great flex spaces.
“historic warehouse” what are we even doing. Is it located next to a historic landfill?
Please take a look at these buildings in person, and you should quickly realize the value of these buildings. This central manufacturing district complex, which this building is part of, is one of the most impressive, imposing row of brick warehouses, in my opinion greater than any other “rustbelt warehouse” I can think of. It’s truly an impressive structure, and absolutely worth saving.
Very cool project, this would be a huge jump start to hopefully turn all 5 of these massive buildings back to life.
Very cool, I’ll be rooting for them. The transit aspect is not great (3/4s of a mile walk to a stop on the Orange Line), but on the other hand McKinley is an underrated space in the city’s park system.
Speaking of the clock tower — decades ago I knew somebody who actually lived in it, legally with a proper lease and everything, for some years. Curious what its status is now, any plans for it?
More tax dollars to developers.Historic building sold for 10 bucks.$53 million in subsidies,while avg.homeo watch their real estate tax bills soar
The current structure isn’t generating very much in the way of property taxes because it’s status is empty and Chicago doesn’t have a vacancy tax. If it’s redeveloped it’ll be adding $ to the coffers.