CHICAGO | General Developments - v2.0

[ardecila]

Originally Posted by left of center

I wish those buildings could have been reconfigured so all the parking would be in the rear and away from Archer Ave. It's kind of a weird set up however, with no clear alley behind the buildings. There is an alley coming in from Robinson, but it would not be able to go through all the way to Wood, so even if they were able to extend it behind the buildings (not sure who owns that land, however), it would be a rather long dead end alley. Not ideal for a variety of reasons.

I kind of embrace the weird typologies that Chinese developers are building.

It certainly doesn't conform to US or Euro standards of urbanism, but it's still pretty dense. If the parking can make retail viable instead of a bunch of empty storefronts, then maybe it's worth it to get true mixed use. There's never gonna be enough foot traffic on this piece of Archer to support pedestrian retail, sadly.

[Jstange059]

This appears to be a rendering of 1801 N Winnebago, unsure if it is up-to-date or if a previously proposed development on this same site. Urbanize has a differing elevation drawing of the building (attached below). It’ll be right between the 606 and the CTA tracks, on a currently very underutilized lot.




I can’t really find any information on 1820 past what is said in the proposed development notice, but it’s always nice to get some more density. It seems to be in this empty triangular lot

[left of center]

https://x.com/brendenmoore13/status/2024110380360839245

@GovPritzker will use his State of the State address to push a sweeping housing plan that’d permit multi-unit buildings on most residential lots, legalize granny flats and slash other red tape that’s slowed homebuilding in recent years.


Sounds like much of the metro and possibly state will be getting a big zoning lift. Thank God. This is overdue.

[lakeshoredrive]

Did anyone hear about the Plymouth Ct development having a proposal be chosen. Seems like a positive step forward?

[Bonsai Tree]

Little worried about this. I know DL3 has had some financial difficulties lately. Hopefuly they can pull it together.

[Randomguy34]

Originally Posted by left of center

@GovPritzker will use his State of the State address to push a sweeping housing plan that’d permit multi-unit buildings on most residential lots, legalize granny flats and slash other red tape that’s slowed homebuilding in recent years.

Cause of Chicago's lot sizes, a standard single lot would allow a 4-flat, while a double lot would only allow a 6-flat....otherwise, neat. Huge swaths of the Northwest and Southwest Side allowing 4-flats and ADUs by right would be significant

[Jstange059]

Well, here’s some images of black and white printout of the renderings of 1801 and 1820 N Winnebago. I’ll see if I can find better quality copies of the renderings, but this at least gives a general idea of what the buildings will look like.
Image Source

[moorhosj1]

Crain's article on available housing selling at record speeds.

In the month ended Feb. 15, a little more than 24% of all homes listed in the Chicago area went under contract within two weeks, according to Redfin. That's by far the highest proportion of quick contracts since the expiration of the pandemic-era housing boom.

In all the time since January 2023, Redfin's data show two-week contracts generally staying below 15% and often below 10%, except for March 2025 when the figure hit a recent-years high of 17.2%.

Even condos are showing positive signs.

A two-bedroom condo at Water Tower Place went up for sale at just below $748,000 Feb. 10 and was under contract two days later. In River North, a three-bedroom on Huron Street lasted just six days on the market at a price of about $1.68 million before going under contract.

In Streeterville, a two-bedroom condo on Illinois Street went up for sale at just under $630,000 on Feb. 13. Five days later, the sellers had a deal with buyers.

[Randomguy34]

Here's the bill legalizing multifamily across the state, it's SB 4060. It also legalizes courtyard buildings! Currently Chicago's setback and open space requirements prevent new courtyards from being feasible, so I'm curious how Chicago's zoning code will have to be rewritten to legalize them.

https://ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocTypeID=SB&DocNum=4060&GAID=18&SessionID=114&LegID=167733

[west-town-brad]

Originally Posted by Randomguy34

Cause of Chicago's lot sizes, a standard single lot would allow a 4-flat, while a double lot would only allow a 6-flat....otherwise, neat. Huge swaths of the Northwest and Southwest Side allowing 4-flats and ADUs by right would be significant

does state-level zoning override local zoning?

[west-town-brad]

Originally Posted by Jstange059

Well, here’s some images of black and white printout of the renderings of 1801 and 1820 N Winnebago. I’ll see if I can find better quality copies of the renderings, but this at least gives a general idea of what the buildings will look like.
Image Source

https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/02/23/...s-if-separate-developments-are-approved/

I'm always confused why smaller builders get built next to the elevated tracks and the highway.... you'd think that would be an easy place to add density

[Jstange059]

1820 N Winnebago


1801 N Winnebago

[r18tdi]

1820 is quite handsome. More please.

[left of center]

Great seeing such dense development on side streets. We need a lot more of this.

[Randomguy34]

Originally Posted by west-town-brad

does state-level zoning override local zoning?

This bill would force local municipalities to update their zoning code to allow multifamily as-of-right. So slightly different than a state wide zoning code, but it has the same effect of overriding multifamily bans.

If the bill isn't watered down, you're allowed to build a 4-flat with a coach house and no parking in Jefferson Park and no one could stop you

[left of center]

Originally Posted by Randomguy34

If the bill isn't watered down, you're allowed to build a 4-flat with a coach house and no parking in Jefferson Park and no one could stop you

So many NIMBY tears. I hope and pray this passes as its been proposed.

[Jstange059]

Restoration work for the Congress Theater at 2135 N. Milwaukee Ave is expected to finally start next month


https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/02/25/...construction-to-start-in-march-ald-says/

[Steely Dan]

^ Wait, they're starting already?????

But that only took 13 years.

Don't they know that grand old movie palace rehabs are supposed to be dragged out over 4 or 5 decades, like the Uptown Theater.

[Cress3803]

that thing should be under fraud investigation at this point

[galleyfox]

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

^ Wait, they're starting already?????

But that only took 13 years.

Don't they know that grand old movie palace rehabs are supposed to be dragged out over 4 or 5 decades, like the Uptown Theater.

Speaking of theaters, any thoughts about the Avalon Regal?

One of my relatives noticed a recent update to their website.

Renovation of the historic Avalon Regal Theater on Chicago’s South Side is underway with a planned reopening by 2026 in time for the 100th year anniversary of the building.
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All donor and investor names will appear directly in front of the theater's main entrance visible from 79th Street beginning 2026.
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Be part of bringing back this historic venue for current and future generations to enjoy by supporting our campaigns below!

The ART Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization. Please click here to view our determination letter. For larger donations, please e-mail [email protected].

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​Upcoming Launch
Click here to purchase tickets on Eventbrite to our 2026 March 12th Launch at Pressure Point Studios, Chicago

Restoration Plan
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In December 2024, the City of Chicago agreed to a phased re-opening of the Avalon Regal Theater, starting with restoration of the grand Banquet Hall. By raising investment capital from community members, we were able to stabilize the building. As a result, in 2025 the Department of Buildings agreed to dismiss the longstanding 2008 building court case that existed before the current owner.
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Phase 1 of our construction is reopening the grand Banquet Hall for events and it is expected to take approximately one year. Construction during this phase includes exterior envelope repairs and plaster restoration in the Banquet Hall, as well as repairs to public toilets, building-wide mechanical, engineering, plumbing, and fire protection systems.

Phase 2 of the development includes full restoration of the remaining interior, including the auditorium, terra cotta facade/masonry, and remainder of the building. This phase is devoted primarily to facade restoration and roof replacement work and it will not affect operation of the Banquet Hall during construction.

Presently, total occupancy development costs for Phases 1 and 2 are estimated at $25 million over the next 2-3 years.
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Project Team
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Architect of Record - O’Riley Office
Architect: Dan O'Riley, AIA, LEED AP, NCARB
oriley-office.com/#/ramova-theatre
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Structural Engineering / Exterior Enclosure Consultant - Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.
Project Manager: Rachel Will, PE
Project Engineers: Sarah Van Domelen, PE
Project Architects: Edward Gerns, RA, Matthew Novesky, RA, Jason Aspin, RA, Nicole Declet, Amanda Marshall, and Gloria Moy, RA
wje.com
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Masonry / Historic / Facade - Central Building & Preservation L.P.
Vice President and Principal: Mark Kuberski
centralbldg.com
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Mechanical Engineering / Architecture - MEPIS Inc.
CEO: Santos A. Torres
mepisinc.com

Tax Credit / Energy Credit Advisory - Ryan, LLC
Director: Historic Tax Credits: Andrew Elders
Director: Government Income Tax Consulting and Green Energy Incentives: Scott Stogsdill
ryan.com/practice-areas/credits--incentives/historic-tax-credits
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Property / Tax Credit Insurance - National Trust Insurance Services, LLC
Client Executive: Brendan Moag
mdpins.com/historic-properties
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Transactional Modeling / Structural Advising - Baker Tilly US, LLP
Principal: Garrick Gibson
bakertilly.com
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Non-Profit Counsel - Handler Law, LLP
Attorney: Andrew D. Morton
handler.law
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Event Management / Business Development - Fruition Consulting
Diana McCaskill, Partner
Richard McCaskill, Partner
fruitionconsulting.com
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Head of Talent
John Monopoly
https://youtu.be/Zm3GQ7hL-aA?t=2047
https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-h...oly-world-tour-ye-live-dates-1235629717/
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Current Projects
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Exterior Envelope
Repair (masonry/roofing) associated with reopening the Banquet Hall
Temporary stabilization at other portions of the theater building
Architectural design, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing
Construction planning
​Consulting
Building management
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Timeline
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Campaign Launch: February 2025
Construction Begins: 2026
Reopening: 2027
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​Funding
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Project funding is being sourced through historic restoration grants, private foundations, private equity, and government historic tax credits and grants.

Avalon Regal Theater is now accepting Rental Requests for late 2026.
Complete the form for more information