Exterior work is nearly complete for The Rosie, a seven-story mixed-use building located at 1461 S Blue Island Avenue, near the southeast corner of Chicago’s Little Italy. Planned by CEDARst and Origin Investments, the project will host 202 apartments as well as 7,600 square feet of retail space. The project lies within in a federal opportunity zone, whereby the developers agree to build in an economically distressed vicinity in exchange for tax incentives. Seven of the on-site units will also be affordable, a figure that was approved prior to an updated housing requirement, whereby at least 20 percent of units must be affordable for new projects in the area.
The Rosie. Photo by Jack Crawford
The Rosie. Photo by Jack Crawford
Apartments range in size from studios to two-bedrooms, averaging at 616 square feet. In January 2020 RE Journals reported a split between unit types; 75 studios, 42 convertible units, 62 one-bedroom apartments, and 23 two-bedroom apartments. Amenities include an 8,500-square-foot outdoor deck with a pool, as well as a lounge, a dog run, and a fitness center. North-facing units will also have extensive views of the Chicago skyline.
The Rosie. Rendering by HPA
The Rosie. Rendering by HPA
Designed by Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture, the main residential component will appear as a skewed “H” footprint from above, allowing for more corner units and open space on the amenity deck below. The exterior will also integrate multiple cladding types, with brick and metal paneling at the base, as well as a series of painted art murals. On the above floors, cladding will comprise of two types of cement boards surrounding the variable window wall system.
The Rosie. Photo by Jack Crawford
The Rosie. Photo by Jack Crawford
As far as transit, recent zoning documents show an updated 132 parking spaces. Residents will also have access to other means of transportation nearby, including bus Route 60 at the adjacent Blue Island & 15th Street intersection, with northeast and southwest bound stops. Within a 10-minute walk includes Route 12 to the north, Route 18 to the south, and Route 9 to the west. Residents wishing to access the CTA L can also find the Pink Line via 18th station via a 15-minute walk southwest, as well as the Blue Line’s Racine station via a 21-minute walk north.
The Rosie. Photo by Jack Crawford
The Rosie. Photo by Jack Crawford
Points of interest within the area include a four-minute walk west to Addams/Medill Park and the Pilsen main commercial corridor is a 10-minute walk south.
The Rosie. Photo by Jack Crawford
Norcon Inc. is the general contractor behind the $64.5 million undertaking, with a full completion expected for later this year.
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They really value engineered the hell out of this one. Not even close to the same materials and textures on the façade. The glass and patterns are completely different as well. This might be even worse than 845 W. Madison’s bait & switch. When even simple is too radical we are in perilous times for our cityscape.