Formal proposals have been revealed for the city’s Roseland Michigan Avenue RFQ. The RFQ was originally issued in 2022 as part of Invest South/West, it encompassed three sites and garnered responses from five separate teams, our in-depth coverage can be found here. Finalists for the fully affordable projects were originally expected to be announced in 2023.
However, after a few years of delays the city has now revealed two finalists for the southernmost site on the corner of E 115th Street and S Michigan Avenue. The lot’s southern end will be utilized for a parking lot for the upcoming Michigan Avenue station of the CTA Red Line Extension. The northwest corner also belongs to a private owner. The teams are as follows:
Rendering of Mosaic on Michigan via DPD
Mosaic on Michigan – $39 Million
Developers: The Michaels Organization, P3 Markets
Designers: Studio Gang, Brook Architecture, Site Design Group
The smaller of the two, this proposal would be built in three-phases along Michigan with formal plans only being revealed for the first phase. This first structure will rise five-stories tall along the main street corner anchored by a large corner retail/commercial space. The building will be defined by its saw-tooth form with multi-colored balconies.
Rendering of Mosaic on Michigan via DPD
Site plan of Mosaic on Michigan via DPD
Inside will be 7,500 square-feet of commercial space to be used for a small grocer, cafe, and art center. Above will be 46-residential units made up of one-, two-, and three-bedroom layouts with private balconies and access to a communal rooftop terrace. Streetscapes will also be part of the first phase along with a small community garden.
Future phases will build additional community gardens and two low-rise structures as part of phase two. Eventually a third and final residential building would anchor the southern end of the site, though not much is known about either of the two future phases.
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Rendering of 1Fifteen at Michigan Station via DPD
1Fifteen at Michigan Station – $48 Million
Developers: Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives, Far South Chicago Community Development Corp.
Designers: BEEHYYVE, Gensler
The larger of the two, this building takes inspiration from Chicago’s iconic bay windows and the region’s rock formations. The first phase will feature a four-story residential structure on the main street corner anchored by a 15,000 square-foot grocery store, 8,000 square-foot market hall, a restaurant space and large stepped central plaza.
Rendering of 1Fifteen at Michigan Station via DPD
Phasing of 1Fifteen at Michigan Station via DPD
Above this will be 58 residential units made up of one-, two-, and three-bedroom layouts with a shared rooftop deck over the restaurant space. The back of the building will hold a small plaza and 90-parking spaces for residents and retail shoppers, as well as 40-spaces for the future Red Line station.
The second phase of the project will see another mixed-use building just to the south replacing the parking lot, with 48-units and 5,600 square-feet of retail. This will be joined by 7,500 square-feet of retail along the new station and a relocated residential parking lot. Eventually a third phase will bring six townhomes, 18 walk-up apartments, a small park, and 41-unit building.
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While a formal timeline is currently unknown, locals can give their input until March 21st in the form of a survey found here.
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1Fifteen is an interesting proposal, it would have been nice to see more of a courtyard between the buildings instead of a parking lot. The Mosaic on Michigan is so horrendous, not even Miami would have picked it.
Architecture is a lost art
I’m disappointed we are still doing 4-story maxes at transit nodes. The site will probably be built before the Red Line reaches, but it’s a huge opportunity of a site. Neither proposal is taking full advantage.
I don’t believe Toronto level density is needed, but something closer to 6+ stories makes more sense. I know both Red and Green lines in these chunks are severely underdeveloped. I do, however, believe the most expensive expansion of the L warrants bolder ideas.
I agree, 6-8 stories would put us in line with most European cities without getting as dense as Upper Manhattan. 4 floors frustrates me to no end, especially with our wide-ass streets.
Agree with more density at these transit nodes. Given how much money is being spent to extend the Red Line, the city should be maximizing the density in these locations. There should also not be a parking lot immediately adjacent to an El stop. This is not a park & ride in the suburbs.
Costs increase with height. It may not be possible to make the numbers work if they go higher.
This is a wonderful start. I certainly appreciate that both teams designs offers higher density. Hopefully, we can include hotel rooms to bring about even higher density to the Station area. It’s important to note that the stations were awarded a carbon reduction grant totalling $100 million. The CTA and CMAP would need to revisit what green deliverables are warranted at each of the stations, which in the case of 115th street something more than reduced parking spaces. Again, this is a good start.
Studio Gang – what are you folks doing-This design is more than horrible-it will not age will at all. They must have their z team coming up with these public housing projects.
The sawtooth balconies are quite the reach for a north facing facade.
The mosaic building is ugly and will no age well. Hopefully this project will not become…well…projects in the future.
What about the current stake holders and retailers in Roseland.
Nothing is being offered to them that have been in Roseland for over 50 years…why not include and invest in those businesses 🙄
Hey G! the lot is currently empty so won’t be replacing any existing businesses. The city has hosted a few outreach meetings over the past year or so and is currently taking feedback! I recommend filling out the survey linked at the end of the article and getting in touch with your alderman as well as reaching out to local community orgs who are working on the project. It is important that local businesses and stakeholders who have invested in Roseland are included in the process.
Great News. Please Keep Up The Great Work. I recommend that get as manty emails our to he Community regarding this and initiate more Town Hall Meetings for the Community to stay Engaged.
OK, a little simple math on the city’s newest Invest South/West project: $39,000,000 here for phase one which will produce 46 new apartments at a cost of just $847,826 per unit! A bargain, and another great example of the city getting its money’s worth with finite affordable housing funds.
Inquiring minds might try to compare that to costs in shiny new Near West Side high-rises of about $450,000 a unit. But that would be embarrassing for the city and Mayor Nimrod, so. maybe best to just avoid that.