Second Of Two Concrete Cores Nears Top Floor At 135 North Desplaines In The West Loop

Strategically stacked concrete block is nearing full height for elevator and stair cores at 135 North Desplaines Street in the West Loop neighborhood. The two cores contain the building’s three means of vertical circulation, with one stairwell by itself near the center of the structure, with the second stairwell and the elevator shaft sharing the south core. The first stairwell has topped out at nine stories; the south core is at the eighth level.

Rendering of 135 North Desplaines Street by Axios Architects & Consultants

Photo by Daniel Schell

This is the top (ninth) level of the center stairwell. Photo by Daniel Schell

The elevator shaft and the south stairwell are connected on the core on the right. Photo by Daniel Schell

Continuum Real Estate Brokers received a permit in January to erase a surface parking lot at Desplaines and Randolph Streets with a 50-unit apartment building. Design firm Axios Architects and general contractor Chicago Common Construction round out the same team working one block north at 629 West Lake. They tore up the asphalt and began site prep almost immediately, then started drilling caissons in February.

Photo by Daniel Schell

Photo by Daniel Schell

The first floor from across Desplaines Street. Photo by Daniel Schell

Photo by Daniel Schell

All 50 dwelling units in the nine-story building will be located above the first floor. At ground level, there will be a corner commercial space fronting Randolph and Desplaines, parking for three cars, a loading berth, bicycle parking, and a residential lobby and mailroom. The expected apartment mix will include studio units plus one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans. Each residence will have its own balcony, with a rooftop deck adding more outdoor space. To date, we have yet to hear of a projected opening for tenant move-ins.

The team’s progress one block north at 629 West Lake

Site context of 135 North Desplaines Street in the West Loop, via Google Maps

Three parking spaces, you say? 135 North Desplaines is located just two blocks from the Ogilvie Transportation Center and its access to UP-N, UP-NW, and UP-W Metra trains. The Clinton Green/Pike Line elevated platform is only two blocks northeast at Lake and Clinton Streets. Several CTA bus routes are within easy walking distance.

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