A developer from Richton Park, Il received permission last week to construct a three-flat on the same Washington Park block where they got a trio of permits back in June 2025. The Kolossal Group submitted an application on October 15 of last year for 5653 South Prairie Avenue, and that permit came through on February 20 with a reported cost of $500,000.
Site context of 5653 South Prairie Avenue, via Google Maps
Short on details, the permit calls for a ground-up on-grade structure with three dwelling units, with an unspecified number of parking spaces on a concrete slab and fencing around the property. Back in June, permits were issued for 5637, 4641, and 5643 South Prairie, all with the same limited details. The three 2025 builds had reported costs of $450,000. The most recent Google Street View images from the alley show demolition fencing around those three lots. On all four projects, The Kolossal Group is the developer and general contractor, with Kathryn Shahbaz Obrien named as the architect of record.
Looking north up Prairie Avenue. Kolossal Group has four permits for three-flats on this expanse of South Prairie. Image via Google Street View
This August 2025 Google Street View image shows construction a construction fence surrounding 5637-5643 South Prairie
From the alley, via Google Street View
Nearby transit options, via Google Maps
5653 South Prairie Avenue is located two blocks south of the Garfield Green Line elevated platform at East Garfield Boulevard. Route 55 buses run east-west along Garfield Boulevard, and #3 buses run north-south three blocks east at South King Drive.
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Washington Park, Bronzeville, and Woodlawn have been seeing a surprising amount of infill. Would be really exciting if they all grew in population next census
I drove by the site not too long ago. The first 3 homes are practically done. One of them is even on sale on the Redfin app for $1M+. If they cost half of the cost to build compared to what they plan on selling these homes, I would say these are very profitable and we should continue to see more built.
Who is spending $1,000,000+ to live in a neighborhood with a violent crime rate 600% higher than the national average?
I have an extremely hard time believing there is demand for these homes at anything close to that price point.
Both 5532 & 5530 S Michigan sold for $1M in the same area. I believe it is the same contractors/architects building these. 5822 S Wabash and 5921 S Calumet also sold for more than a $1M. Washington Park/Bronzeville/Woodlawn are all upcoming neighborhoods. You should try getting out of the same three northside neighborhoods for a change. Things are not as bad out here, I promise 😉
You’re welcome to debunk that stat if it’s untrue.
If your logic was true, then nothing would have been sold in Woodlawn in over a decade. You’re letting your biases and prejudgements get in the way of business. These buildings will be purchased and occupied, as all new construction has been for the last 10 years of redeveloping.
I lived at 5643 s prairie back in 1968-73 as a child still have memories growing up there was a big court way building