The Chicago Plan Commission has approved plans for a new school building at 335 West Belden Avenue in Lincoln Park. Sitting just east of the intersection with North Clark Street, the project would demolish an existing four-story residential building to make way for a $39 million expansion of Francis W. Parker School directly behind the site.
Site plan of 335 W Belden Ave via DPD
Context of 335 W Belden Ave via DPD
Having gone through various iterations, including some where the 117-year-old building was saved, the school is proceeding with plans to demolish the structure and its 15 units to address many of the surrounding neighbors’ concerns. Replacing it will be a new five-story building which highly mimics the architectural style of the surrounding context.
Rendering of 335 W Belden Ave via DPD
The building will be traversed via a five-story atrium with auditorium-style steps cascading from the second floor. Joining this will be 27 classrooms, a shop space for hands-on programs, four vocational rooms, a large all-purpose room, office spaces, and multiple terraces and interior reading nooks. While there is an entrance along Belden, it will not be commonly used.
Floor plans of 335 W Belden Ave via DPD
The building will feature a red brick exterior with ornamentation on the lower floors, with the fifth floor using a gray panel exterior mimicking a vertical expansion. Additionally, the building will connect to the existing school structure via a two-story skybridge over the rear alley. The addition would add around 125 students and 30 faculty to the school.
Rendering of 335 W Belden Ave via DPD
As part of the approval, the school is also planning to revamp the lighting and fencing around its existing football field. The school will also contribute funds to other schools in the area and affordable housing, and commit to keeping a neighboring building as residential for 30 years. While a groundbreaking won’t happen until 2028, neighbors continue to express concern.
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They’re adding windows or is that just lazy architecture?
The plans look like they don’t reflect the render.
The only difference is the left or west stair is now in brick, not glass along the alley way. Likely due to fire/egree code, must be a four hour rating.
This is what all those LP NIMBY’s were complaining about? Don’t these people have anything better to do with thier time?