A permit issued by the City of Chicago on Wednesday, October 14 allows for the construction of a two-story plus basement, two-unit frame building at 6449 South St. Lawrence Avenue in Woodlawn. The permit had been pending in the data portal for three months since its application start date of July 15; it comes through with a reported cost of $420,000. BKRS Development LLC is the developer and general contractor for the new residences.
Site context of 6449-6451 South St. Lawrence Avenue, via Google Maps
The permit names Charles Schwartz as the architect of record. It calls for an open rear wood deck and a detached two-car frame garage. There is a pending permit in the portal for 6451 South St. Lawrence with the same details and same application start date. Although it lists the entity of Chicago Parnells GFC as the property owner, the similarities point to both buildings coming from the same developer. The two parcels of land are both unimproved, and have been since at least 2007, per Street View images.
From the alley, via Google Street View
Charles Schwartz and BKRS have collaborated on a two-flat residence previously in the Woodlawn neighborhood, having received a construction permit in January 2024 to build a pair of units at 6639 South Langley Avenue. That building was completed this year and sold in June for $649,500 according to real estate listings. It seems likely that the St. Lawrence buildings will also be offered for sale, either as investment properties or as owner-occupied units with one rental unit apiece.
6639 South Langley Avenue, another Charles Schwartz/BKRS Development two-flat collaboration. Image via Zillow
Local transit options, via Google Maps
Residents of 6449 and 6451 South St. Lawrence will live within half-mile walks of the King Drive and Cottage Grove Green Line platforms. Walkable bus stops include east-west Route 63 to the north and Route 67 to the south, and north-south #3 buses to the west and #4 buses to the east. The Route 63 bus can be used to connect with Metra Electric trains to the east near Jackson Park.
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It’s always fun walking through Woodlawn with everything being built there
The 2030 census will be an interesting one to read.
Why do all the new buildings in Woodlawn look the same? Woodlawn’s housing never looked like this before!
We live in an era where cheap things get built, especially in poorer areas. I looks like half a lot is being used for each two flat but my hope is these guilt all rebuilt in 20 years once the area starts to really take off. No way these ugly monstrosities last for the next 50 years.