A pair of recent permits issued by the City of Chicago will allow Addition Dwelling Units for properties located in the Wicker Park and Southport Corridor neighborhoods. Chicago has been nearing a resolution to ease the process of ADU approvals, but the measure was delayed at last month’s City Council meeting.
The garage on the alley behind 1340 West Newport will have a second story added for an ADU. Photo by Daniel Schell
At 1340 West Newport Avenue, which is one of a row of greystones that have been in the news recently, an ADU will be added as a second story for the garage on the alley, turning the modest parking spot into a coach house. Purchased by new owners in 2024, the 1907-built home was permitted for de-conversion from three units to single-family residential in October of last year. The ADU permit, issued on August 1st, will add a second unit, bringing the home closer to its original density.
Permits for both the SFR renovation and the ADU name PMPC Architects as the designers, and Live Chicago Construction LLC of Lake Zurich as the general contractor.
1331 North Oakley Boulevard, built in 1896. Image via Google Street View
In Wicker Park, an 1890s masonry building at 1331 North Oakley Boulevard received a permit on August 4 to build an additional unit in the basement, densifying the building’s unit count from two to three. Red Architects is named as the designer of the new space, with the entity of 5230 W Irving Park LLC listed as the general contractor. They are registered to the address next door at 1333 North Oakley.
1331 North Oakley from the alley, via Google Street View
Unlike the Southport Corridor property, 1331 North Oakley is not improved by a garage structure at the alley. This allows for further density via a coach house in the future, should the property owner so choose.
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Converting these beautiful units into single families is absolutely atrocious
I appreciate the ADU explanation for the separate projects. Southport Corridor is indeed special. Most interested in learning what’s being communicated to the neighbors. Nevertheless, ADUs must be introduced gradually in Chicago.
Why gradually? An ADU is very common in other states and is a relatively easy way for an individual to make a small contribution to the housing stock shortage. Plus, it’s just a fancy word for in-law suites, garage apartments or (if you’re super fancy) coach houses that have been around Chicago for decades.
Market forces will automatically gradually ‘introduce’ ADU’s to Chicago. In the test areas ADU’s were barely a blip on the R.E. radar.