Slightly altered plans for a new mixed-use development at 1704 North Milwaukee Avenue are moving forward, as the development team has submitted a zoning application. Located on the corner of West Wabansia Avenue near the northern end of Wicker Park, the proposal was revealed late last year and is set to replace a one-story commercial plaza.
Site context map of 1704 N Milwaukee Ave via Google Maps
PREVIOUS rendering of 1704 N Milwaukee Ave by FitzGerald
Developer Senco Properties, the same team behind the Dinkel’s Lofts redevelopment, has been working with architecture firm FitzGerald on the design of the new seven-story structure. The plans call for a site-wide podium that will include nearly 11,000 square feet of retail space earmarked for some of the existing plaza tenants, such as CorePower Yoga.
Floor plans of 1704 N Milwaukee Ave by FitzGerald
Above this will be two levels of parking containing 67 spaces, a significant reduction from the originally announced 105 spaces. As a result, the podium’s massing was broken up by removing part of its third floor, a change reflected in the elevations below but not in the previously released renderings. A majority of the parking spaces will be open to the public.
Elevations of 1704 N Milwaukee Ave by FitzGerald
The reduction also allowed for a slight increase in density, with the upper floors now containing 60 residential units, up from the originally announced 58. These will include two studios, 23 one-bedroom units, 27 two-bedroom units, and eight three-bedroom units. Of the total, 12 units will be designated as affordable.
PREVIOUS rendering of 1704 N Milwaukee Ave by FitzGerald
The building’s base will be clad in a mix of brick, accent metal panels, and decorative screens for the garage. The residential portion above will feature a blue-tinted metal panel exterior with large windows and orange detailing. A groundbreaking timeline is currently unknown; however, the team hopes to complete the building within 12 to 14 months once construction begins.
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The changes from the previous iteration are pretty much universally positive. Less parking, more housing, larger units, and less dead space along Milwaukee. The amount of parking in the previous proposal was frankly ludicrous. It’s still more than I would prefer, but I get their reasoning. This should absolutely be built ASAP.
Personally down for zero parking.
Looks very, very similar to the building they dropped at May/Erie/Ogden.
Good improvements. I’m not in love with it but I really hope it gets approved. I grew up just blocks away and there have been plenty anti-urban constructions in Wicker/Bucktown like 2-3 flats replaced by single family homes, and even 2 houses torn down to make 1. In other words this neighborhood needs more density and these suburban strip malls should have been developed years ago for being so close to one of the busiest stops on the blue line, and just a very high demand area in general. This one unsurprisingly has a lot of backlash. I have nothing wrong with suburbans, but please stop bringing suburban mindsets and lifestyles to dense neighborhoods like this which are extremely unique and valuable. This type of mixed use density is what we need and it sucks that it’s ugly but again, the neighborhood needs it because the real out of place developments in this area are the single family homes built on what used to be 2-3 worker’s cottages.
110%
Improvement on the design but not as strong as the 606 Blue up the block. Any word on the shade impact to Park 529 at the corner of Leavitt and Wabansia? While it’s not as used and crowded with young families, couples and hipsters as it was when it first opened (and not trashed by dogs), it is still used daily by all the neighborhood day-care facilities and the odd couple and family activities.
I live here and it sucks to see the energy of the neighborhood slowly rotting away as all of our housing stock is de-converted to SFHs. This isn’t the most beautiful thing in the world, but the podium interacts with the street relatively well. They REALLY wanted the parking in this place so I am happy that it got reduced and we got more units. I have seen a good amount of the strip mall spots vacant pretty often so I still doubt this much parking is needed, but whatever. As a nearby resident and user of strip mall business here, I say build it! I still think the NIMBY response may be a bit insane.
Bill Senne owns this lot and Zen Yoga Garage up the street, and it honestly seems to me that he think of the project as a parking garage first and an apartment building second. Those Yoga classes generate a lot of car trips to the neighborhood, and the reduced parking from the (much needed imo) bike lanes has convinced all the businesses in the area that a garage is a good idea.
The community meeting was pretty entertaining, the urbanist types were complaining about the parking, and the NIMBY’s latched on to that as common ground to block the project rather than the height or shadows. With the business community on board and the #1 complaint addressed, I wouldn’t be surprised if Wageuspack has given the project his blessing.
It’s curious that the sections of the upper building’s architecture that aligns with the base does not interact somehow down to the ground….at least the area of the apartment block’s front door on the street.
first building along Milwaukee to have a parking garage facing the street. not a great president to set.
* precedent
606 Blue/Aldi’s parking lot and garage is accessed off of Milwaukee just up the street.
Why don’t they put the parking podium on the back side, along the L tracks? Let the street facing part along Milwaukee be used to activate the street with more retail or at least apartments.
🤪🫴🫴 67 parking spaces
Why isn’t this a TOD….so close to the el stop . ..when they had the 7-11 in this strip, alot of interesting characters
Guys, the parking spaces are needed. Lots of local business patrons in Wicker do and will drive, and some potential patrons do shy away from visiting if they have to battle parking; this is better than street parking.. it’s on private property and aesthetically hidden. A public garage like this takes cars off the public right of way. This is really a game changer in my opinion. Imagine wanting to visit Wicker for a nice dinner from the suburbs or some other far flung neighborhood and having your parking figured out; it’s clutch af. We now have a protected bike line on Mwke. that I personally love and use all the damn time, wouldn’t it be nice to get rid of parking on Milwaukee south of North? A public parking garage in this case is a good thing. It’s a supplemental free market force that is positive for such a dense poppin’ hood.
Imagine redesigning the urban ethos of one of most beautiful and transit-rich neighborhoods in Chicago just so someone from Naperville doesn’t have to parallel park once a year.
That not very welcoming, we invite all people to our neighborhood
Street parking is available and welcome to all as is public transit. Part of the urban experience is the urban experience. You search for parking, you walk around.
There are also private parking options out there if street parking is unavailable – SpotHero and ParkWhiz to name a couple. A quick search shows many spots available near this development.
I just gotta say this. I don’t care if suburbanites have a place to park or not. I really don’t. Concern number one must be on meeting the needs of existing and future residents of the neighborhood. Full stop. Suburbanites are visitors. While they’re welcome in the neighborhood, we’re under no obligation to subsidize and accommodate their parking needs or the traffic they bring with them.
Yet you will take their money. I get it ….we need to invite all people to visit our city!!
No parking garage levels should front Milwaukee Ave. Every single floor should be active along Milwaukee, especially at this intersection with Wabansia and Milwaukee which will make the garage all the more visible.
If you agree and want to speak up, email the alderman’s (Scott Waguespack) office – info@ward32.org
He’s very active in our community and is a voice for us.
This is an improvement from the original proposal. A better solution is to place the parking underground. This change would allow for more dwelling units on the second floor and improve the street facades.
B-Wills,
Excellent points, Chicago should not be designed to accommodate suburbanites’ parking needs. No parking allowed on Milwaukee Avenue makes perfect sense.
Because State street back in the day when it did not allow any cars was such an urban success?