Updated plans have been revealed for the upcoming redevelopment of the Emmanuel Congregation at 5959 North Sheridan Road in Edgewater. Earlier this year, we revealed some of the first renderings for the multi-building plan, which came after multiple rounds of community meetings and four different massing iterations.
Site map for 5959 N Sheridan Rd by Eckenhoff Saunders
Efforts for the project are being led by local developer Fern Hill, with architecture firm Eckenhoff Saunders working on the design. The overall development is made up of two sites: a larger one along the lakefront which currently holds the congregation, along with a secondary smaller site to the west of Sheridan that is currently a vacant lot.
PREVIOUS massing of 5959 N Sheridan Rd by Eckenhoff Saunders
In January, Fern Hill proposed a two-building plan. The western smaller site would hold a six-story building, with the ground floor used as a temporary space for the synagogue while its new permanent spot was built across the street. This permanent location would anchor the lower levels of the massive 12-floor U-shaped building atop a site-wide parking podium.
PREVIOUS rendering of 12-story building by Eckenhoff Saunders
Now, the team is back with a revised option which breaks up the massing and greatly improves the pedestrian experience and connection to the lakefront. The western lot will still briefly hold a temporary home for the synagogue before being expanded into a full five-story residential building. Minor changes also include setting the structure back from the street.
Massing of 5959 N Sheridan Rd by Eckenhoff Saunders
The larger eastern lot will now be split up into three separate structures. The massive parking podium is gone, and parking has been pushed to a multi-story podium on the north end of the site. This leaves a ground-level green space and driveway at the center of the complex, with a pedestrian thru-way cutting through multiple buildings to the lakefront from Sheridan.
Rendering of 5959 N Sheridan Rd by Eckenhoff Saunders
On the western end of the main site will be the tallest structure, rising 23 stories in height with a fully active base and no podium. To the north will be the parking podium with residential floors above, coming in at a total height of 11 stories. To the east will be another 13-story structure with an active base, connected to the new congregation to the south according to Block Club.
Massing of 5959 N Sheridan Rd by Eckenhoff Saunders
While the previous structures called for just over 400 units, the revised plans have increased the overall density. The updated unit count has not been revealed, but the site would be zoned for around 600 units max. The team will now host additional community meetings and will likely revise the plans further. No timeline is known.
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Build it 🙂
Slap the 13(!) story building on top of the 23 story building and call it a done! Anything less than a high rise as tall as the other high rises that already exist here on Sheridan Road is a loss for this specific piece of land
I agree 100%.
I have no doubt that all of the Lakefront Residents will be out at the community meetings and this will be chopped to pieces. It’s impossible to build on the lakefront anymore.
Such an improvement
If that holdout property directly to the north was incorporated into this project it would probably be easier to push the podium further north, & reduce the height of the north building, as I am guessing the condo owners will continue making a stink about that mass.
Absolutely awesome. I really appreciate the [mostly] active buildings and strongly considering the pedestrian experience. Although, clearly above ground car storage is still a boat anchor that plagues far too many Chicago developments. Nonethelesss, I think this is a win.
Best iteration yet!
The holdout property WAS included in the most recent proposal. I’m also surprised that the updated proposal is LARGER than the original, though thrilled. There was a fair amount of the typical feedback from community members RE parking, traffic, too much density. I’m glad to see this did not deter the developmers.