Updated details have been revealed for the redevelopment of the American Islamic College (AIC) building at 640 West Irving Park Road in Uptown. Sitting along Inner Lake Shore Drive, the project has been in the works for over four years and has seen various iterations and funding strategies. Now, the project will proceed without the proposed high-rise.
FORMER aerial View of 640 W Irving Park Road by Perkins Eastman and Level Architecture
We last covered the development in September of 2025, when developer KGiles LLC. announced they would move forward with their $210 million plans funded by allowing investors to purchase shares of the building with payouts in various currencies, including crypto. However, since then, the AIC sold the parking lot for the tower to developer City Pads.
FORMER site Plan for 640 W Irving Park Road, high-rise shown in white
The parking lot is where the previously approved 22-story senior living tower would have gone up, bringing 192 units with it. With the sale having been finalized this summer, City Pads plans to continue to rent out spots in the parking lot for now, per Block Club. If they choose to develop the site, they will have to do so within the approved upzoning or apply for an amendment.
As for the historically protected Immaculata High School building along the street-front, KGiles plans to move forward with their plans to redevelop the structure into 245 residential units made up of studios, one-, and two-bedroom layouts. Various of the school’s former large-scale spaces will be turned into amenities, including a fitness center, roof deck, and semi-public auditorium.
FORMER rendering For 640 W Irving Park Road by Perkins Eastman and Level Architecture
The school redevelopment will take 18 months to complete, per previous announcements from KGiles, as it was always meant to be the first phase of the previously larger project. While the developer has applied for building permits, no construction start date has been revealed. It is unknown if full funding has been secured as well.
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Development in Uptown continues to struggle under this alderman
Why do you say it’s because of this particular alderman?
Did you bother to actually read the article? Or is this just the inability to comprehend what’s written? The alderman has zero, zip, nada, nothing to do with the delays re this project; it’s the finances that keep holding it up.
correct. should be blocked
Interesting – wonder whether the planned development approval continues to apply to the sold off piece. Would assume they’ve got that nailed down.
That’s a shame. This whole stretch should have way more high rises.
Such an uninspiring-looking 3 story structure built in 1983 shouldn’t be historically protected on the lakefront.
No doubt the towers to its north and south had a hand in preventing development on this land to protect their view of the lake. They’re not preserving history, they’re preserving the empty air above it.
its not the towers. its the pattingon double courtyard condo.
It was built in 1921. No one had a hand in preventing development of this land because there’s no stopping the 2022 approval to build the tower. You’re ignorant of the facts.
Other comments aside, I think the original poster was referring to the 1950s additions to the 1922 school. According to the Google, the newer structures were landmarked because they were designed by the original architect, Barry Byrne.
I remember when this was “in discussion” when I lived over there years ago. Of course, the condo owners with nothing better to do put up a big stink.
Hate to see it scaled back again, but hopefully it actually moves forward swiftly. I doubt it will, though.
There is no question that this proposal should be blocked until a decent design for the tower comes forth. This configuration of 5 separate building material types, clearly no architecture, is sad for such a prominent site,
(or any site)!