With caisson work wrapped up, the next phase of construction has begun at 227 West Chicago Avenue in River North. Foundation work has started, concentrated at the northeast corner of the site, where the crew is excavating earth and setting piles next to the existing structure at 219 West Chicago.
Rendering of 227 West Chicago by Jonathan Splitt Architects
One small section of the construction site has foundation work. Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Caisson and foundation permits came through two weeks apart back in September. Site prep got underway in October, with the drilling and filling of caissons following in November. That work was done by mid-December., leading us to the one square pit we see at the site today.
Rendering of 227 West Chicago by Jonathan Splitt Architects
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
From the Chicago Brown Line platform. Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Noah Properties is the developer of the 10-story, 56-unit 227 West Chicago. A single-story commercial building on the corner of Chicago Avenue and Franklin Street, most recently home to a Walmart Express store, was permitted for demolition in June 2020 in anticipation of a nine-story office building for the site, but that plan didn’t pan out. The new plan, a design by Jonathan Splitt Architects, will include retail space and a 22-car garage on the ground floor. Remi Development LLC, affiliated with Noah Properties, is the general contractor.
Rendering of 227 West Chicago by Jonathan Splitt Architects
Good look at piles and shoring. Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
All was quiet after caisson completion, 12/16/2025. Photo by Daniel Schell
12/16/2025. Photo by Daniel Schell
227 West Chicago could not possibly be closer to access for public transportation. It is next to the Chicago Brown/Purple Line elevated platform, which for now provides ideal viewing of construction progress. Route 37 and 66 buses make stops here, and the #22 Clark bus is available for north-south travel three blocks to the east. The #66 Chicago Avenue bus is, for now, detoured while the bridge over the river is replaced, but it still makes its stops at this intersection.
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Notice the line of piles along the sidewalk on Chi ave.
If parking is on ground floor, what is the hole for?
Here’s a new information, You still need to have a foundation deep enough support the building even there is no parking in the basement.
Replacing a Walmart Express with a building where people can actually live and have easy access to public transportation. Love to see it!