The Chicago Community Development Commission has approved major renovation plans for the existing senior living building at 3211 East 91st Street in South Chicago. Located at the intersection with South Brandon Avenue near the state border, the building is known as Villa Guadalupe and is owned by Claretian Associates.
Site context map of Villa Guadalupe via Claretian Associates
Claretian Associates is a local nonprofit that focuses on providing affordable housing across the South Side. Villa Guadalupe stands five stories tall and was built by Claretian in 1991, aimed at serving local older adults after a 1985 study found that one in five seniors in the surrounding area lived at poverty levels.
Current unit interiors of Villa Guadalupe via Claretian Associates
Now, more than two decades after its completion, the team is proposing a full rehabilitation of the building and its 53 units to keep them affordable for the next 30 years. Plans call for modernization of the HVAC system, facility-wide updates to ensure full ADA compliance, and a complete interior renovation of the units. This includes upgrades to all kitchens and bathrooms.
Current view of Villa Guadalupe via Claretian Associates
The units consist of one- and two-bedroom layouts, which will be retained. The existing masonry exterior will also be replaced with a tan-colored panel facade accented with emerald green inserts. The overall project is expected to cost $16.4 million and will be partially funded through TIF funds and an IHDA loan. No timeline has been announced.
Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail
Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates
Like YIMBY on Facebook
Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews
The current exterior is much more attractive than the proposed green . Ugh .
What’s the point in ‘upgrading’ the exterior? Has the masonry/brick deteriorated so badly that it needs replacement? It certainly looks okay in the photo. My building is 100 plus years and just needs spot tuckpointing every so often.
I’m guessing that there are multiple practical reasons. For some buildings like this, it’s much more cost-effective to add insulation to the outside of the structure rather than the inside. There may also be water issues we don’t obviously see. The scaffolding that I see in Streetview looks like it’s protecting people from something that may fall off.
Hideous exterior “update”…waste of money
Horrible. Gosh I hate you architects. Just go away
More of the McDonald’s Playland for housing. And this time they can’t hide behind the ruse that it’s just a cost-effective way of livening it up because it already has a handsome exterior. This is the non-profit’s way of virtue signaling. Even if it debases the residents.
Fixing a faulty facade that is not providing adequate insulation, or water protection is not “virtue signaling” just because you don’t like the design.
You never tell any truth, just right wing demonizing over aesthetic opinions.
I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but it’s actually possible to update a building’s plumbing without ripping off the entire facade and making it look like a fast food playroom.
I agree that is ugly, and that the other poster just complains constantly with right wing sound bites they have been taught to think.
Raf, you still haven’t explained what makes the site in Pilsen Mexican or Latino architecture. After you do that please explain why thinking that patronizing elderly is a right wing talking point.
Former Housing Architect, people who condemned the idea of warehousing people in concrete bunkers like Cabrini Green and Robert Taylor Homes were also accused of right wing demonizing back in the day. Or criticizing slum clearance and Urban Renewal schemes. How dare they doubt the good work being done by Progressives?
Worst renovation ever award
built in 1991 and already needs an entire exterior renovation too? why?
The revolting green facelift is just a clever strategy to deflect from the even more inexplicable bricking-over of all the balconies in the center. From the responses so far, worked like a (lucky) charm!