We continue our streak of approvals from the Committee on Zoning from this past week’s meeting with the mixed-use development at 1338 West Lake Street in the West Loop. Sitting on the corner with North Ada Street, the boxy tower has been in development for a few years now and most recently received approval from the Plan Commission after some redesigns.
Site context of 1338 W Lake Street by SCB
Renderings of 1338 W Lake St by SCB
The existing 22,300-square-foot site is being developed by Cedar Street Companies, along with local architecture firm SCB working on its design. The 32-story project would be anchored by a six-story podium abutting the CTA tracks to the south. This would contain 7,800 square feet of commercial space along Lake, as well as a large lobby along Ada.
Floor plans of 1338 W Lake St by SCB
The rest of the podium will hold a 191-space parking garage with a row of liner units along Ada in order to activate the street front. The podium would be capped by a large amenity deck serving the 321 residential units within the project. These would be made up of studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom layouts, of which 65 will be considered affordable.
Elevation of 1338 W Lake St by SCB
Rendering of 1338 W Lake St by SCB
Cresting the 364-foot-tall, glass-clad square structure will be another amenity floor and rooftop deck, featuring a small pool facing the city. The $165 million project is now one approval away from being able to apply for permits. Previously announced plans call for a Q4 2026 groundbreaking and Q3 2028 completion.
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Hideous garage , even worse architectural metal panels .
I am happy for the density and height. The city should approve more highrises in the new developments and up and coming neighborhoods adjacent to downtown. Businesses in these areas need dense populations to thrive. People living in the core of the city should expect to have some highrises near them.
How long will the surrounding parking lots remain open? Buildings on those would block light and views.
The liner units will help on Ada but from any other side that podium is going to look rough. Being surrounded by surface lots doesn’t help either.
Even though podiums like this are still hideous and act like they’ll always be exactly up against a neighboring building at some time in the future, this one is so much better because of the liner units.
These should be required by code for all podiums. Since 2013, the city of Toronto has been doing this for all high rises referring to this as “street animation.” Being a Yimby doesn’t mean we take everything. We can improve sensible guidelines and regulations, while also making it a whole lot quicker and easier to get really strong developments built.
Right next to the el tracks. Apartments on that side will hear it, even with windows closed. Do the windows open at all?
And yet, it will be as quiet as a chalet in the Alps on the other three sides.
El trains are a special jarring and irregular noise unlike any other. I lived with it for one year. Never again. I stood outside my current apartment for two hours to see how the trains sounded. Only then, did I apply for it.
Happy to see bird-safe glass in use!