CHICAGO | General Developments - v2.0

[Steely Dan]

Originally Posted by twister244

It looks like a giant daycare.

It looks more like a multifamily development straight outta Mexico to me.

If it were built in, say, Guadalajara, you might not even notice it.

For whatever reason, Mexican culture does not relegate loud, vibrant colors to the exclusive domain of 4 year old children.


But in earth tone Chicago? Yeah, this thing will certainly garner notice.

[twister244]

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

It looks more like a multifamily development straight outta Mexico to me.

If it were built in, say, Guadalara, you might not even notice it.

For whatever reason, Mexican culture does not relegate loud, vibrant colors to the exclusive domain of 4 year old children.


But in earth tone Chicago? Yeah, this thing will certainly garner notice.

Yep.

[sentinel]

Originally Posted by twister244

I agree with the first comment posted on YIMBY in response to this - It looks like a giant daycare.

This kind of crap makes me want to vomit. Making buildings look like giant lego blocks doesn't age well and will really look out of place during the winter time.

This is vernacular contemporary (and historic) Mexican architecture:





https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20180117-colour-in-contemporary-mexican-architecture

The project is directly referencing that distinct aspect of Mexican design as a direct homage, and modifying it for an American market. It's loud, but that's the point. I dig it.

[ardecila]

Yeah build it.

My only tiny gripe is that they want to put a daycare in the retail space. Seems like that could go on the quieter Peoria St and leave the 18th St frontage for other kinds of business.

[twister244]

Originally Posted by sentinel

The project is directly referencing that distinct aspect of Mexican design as a direct homage, and modifying it for an American market. It's loud, but that's the point. I dig it.

You can dig it, but that doesn't make it cultural or authentic. It's a new construction multi-unit building with insanely bright colors slapped onto it. That doesn't make it cultural or authentic -It's just a lazy attempt from a developer to give the appeal of authenticity to get people to sign onto it.

Now - If this where a development that had activated alley ways designed to look like what you posted an image of, with the outside of the building having a normal brick look, but alleys with cultural colors, Latino businesses, outdoor cafes, etc catering to the local community - Then I would have more respect.

[sentinel]

Originally Posted by twister244

You can dig it, but that doesn't make it cultural or authentic. It's a new construction multi-unit building with insanely bright colors slapped onto it. That doesn't make it cultural or authentic -It's just a lazy attempt from a developer to give the appeal of authenticity to get people to sign onto it.

Now - If this where a development that had activated alley ways designed to look like what you posted an image of, with the outside of the building having a normal brick look, but alleys with cultural colors, Latino businesses, outdoor cafes, etc catering to the local community - Then I would have more respect.

But that's...where it's located, in a neighborhood of the city with a very large percentage of specifically Mexican-born immigrants

Focusing on a single aspect of that vernacular architecture, the alley ways, when your initial argument was about the color scheme...I'm confused.

Being 'cultural or authentic' doesn't mean a design has to replicate exactly what it's drawing inspiration from...that's just copy >pasting.

[BVictor1]

https://www.chicagobusiness.com/real-est...ad&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1775671336

Developer Riverside lands financing for 199-unit West Loop apartment tower

By
Rachel Herzog
April 08, 2026 12:53 PM CDT

A Chicago developer has lined up financing to begin work on a West Loop apartment tower, kicking off a project it had suspended amid high costs and scarce capital.

Riverside Investment & Development secured a $64 million construction loan through a U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development program for rental housing developers for a 12-story, 199-unit building at 566 W. Van Buren St., executives at the firm said. The $85 million development is also being funded with equity from Riverside’s partners on the project, which include Blue Star Properties and German family office Metropolis Investment Holdings.

The project is targeted for completion in early 2027.

Four apartments complexes totaling about 800 units are on tap for completion in 2026 and about 2,100 units are anticipated in 2027, according to data from Integra Realty Resources.

The project is being built as of right, meaning it didn’t require zoning approval from the City Council and isn’t subject to the city’s Affordable Requirements Ordinance

Real estate services firm Draper and Kramer arranged the HUD financing on behalf of Riverside.

https://www.chicagobusiness.com/commerci...ning-build-west-loop-apartment-building/
Old Design



The old design was superior IMHO, but I'm glad the project is a go.

[Jstange059]

Originally Posted by sentinel

But that's...where it's located, in a neighborhood of the city with a very large percentage of specifically Mexican-born immigrants

Focusing on a single aspect of that vernacular architecture, the alley ways, when your initial argument was about the color scheme...I'm confused.

Being 'cultural or authentic' doesn't mean a design has to replicate exactly what it's drawing inspiration from...that's just copy >pasting.

Even if a Mexican village was perfectly replicated on this site, it would not feel “Authentic”. Authenticity isn’t created by the built environment itself, but rather by the people who live in, interact with, and shape the area. A perfectly replicated Mexican village popped onto this site would not feel like a Mexican village, but feel rather more akin to a Disneyworld: a created environment, which may be richly decorated and immersive, yet lacks an actual substance. They could have spent millions to try to recreate alleys, colors, built form, all to make this development resemble a Mexican village, but money can not create authenticity.

With this development, the building itself in its form is still rooted in Chicago, being a familiar form like we may see across the city, and this is not a bad thing. It’s simply how the economics and supply chain most efficiently can create a workable building. But by doing a simple modification, such as coloring the building, which does not substantially change the cost, they can create something which creates strong references to the cultural background of the neighborhood. No, as discussed before, this does not make it “authentic” but authenticity is not something that can be constructed, but rather develops over time by the community that resides in or interacts with the building. And this building, just like a building which may have costed double to more accurately recreate the built form of Mexico, will be able to house and serve the people who create the commmunity that can truly make a place become authentic.

[r18tdi]

Originally Posted by BVictor1

The old design was superior IMHO, but I'm glad the project is a go.

The new design is flatter (ie cheaper), but I'm OK with losing the balconies.

[Via Chicago]

that Pilsen project kind of reminds me of Catalpa Gardens in terms of color scheme



im kind of mixed on it. i dont mind the color per se. but the design itself looks like it could come out looking cheap. i actually think stucco of some kind could have added more of that dynamic texture being referenced (which i know does poorly in our climate, but you get the idea). More Barragan and less prefab warehouse.

[BVictor1]

Woodlawn Central

[ardecila]

Originally Posted by Via Chicago

that Pilsen project kind of reminds me of Catalpa Gardens in terms of color scheme

im kind of mixed on it. i dont mind the color per se. but the design itself looks like it could come out looking cheap. i actually think stucco of some kind could have added more of that dynamic texture being referenced (which i know does poorly in our climate, but you get the idea). More Barragan and less prefab warehouse.

Yeah I don't know what material is proposed. If it's EIFS then you could achieve something similar to Barragan. If it's precast panel like some other affordable housing projects around town lately, they could use a mineral stain to give it some more texture and depth than a awful/gooey masonry paint.

https://keim-usa.com/reference-gallery/joan-kirner-hospital-st-albans-australia/

[Klippenstein]

Originally Posted by Via Chicago

that Pilsen project kind of reminds me of Catalpa Gardens in terms of color scheme



im kind of mixed on it. i dont mind the color per se. but the design itself looks like it could come out looking cheap. i actually think stucco of some kind could have added more of that dynamic texture being referenced (which i know does poorly in our climate, but you get the idea). More Barragan and less prefab warehouse.

Pretty sure they've been recladding this building in recent weeks. Didn't pay too much attention, but the new cladding looks a little better I think.

[Tom In Chicago]

That building on Jefferson and Van Buren looks like site prep has begun. . .

. . .

[Jstange059]

Quite large development in McKinley Park near Bubbly Creek
223 dwelling units
https://chicago.urbanize.city/post/zoning-application-filed-bridgeport-crossing-3301-s-justine

[BVictor1]

Originally Posted by BVictor1

Woodlawn Central

There will be another meeting on Monday, April 20th, same time and location.



Phase 1 - 231 residential units
hotel, commercial, office and retail.
60 accessory and 240 non accessory parking

Mission is 30% affordable housing

Focusing on LEED Gold

Plan Commission in May/June

Want to break ground this year…

[HiRiser]

Originally Posted by BVictor1

https://www.chicagobusiness.com/real-est...ad&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1775671336

Developer Riverside lands financing for 199-unit West Loop apartment tower

By
Rachel Herzog
April 08, 2026 12:53 PM CDT



















https://www.chicagobusiness.com/commerci...ning-build-west-loop-apartment-building/
Old Design



The old design was superior IMHO, but I'm glad the project is a go.

It took a while to get here but good to see a start. Union station just around the corner. Lots of close by eateries. Should get lot's of interest. Early 2027 completion? This will be a flyer.

[cloudbod]

Forgot to post these pics from Sunday of 227 West Chicago Avenue. The taller core is getting close to being topped out (10 stories)

[pip]

Not some huge development. The new and largely vacant building finished in 2023 at Belmont and Clark is now almost fully leased. Whole Foods is leasing two floors for a new store. Wonder if the Whole Foods about 4 or 5 blocks away on Halsted will remain open?

https://www.audacy.com/wbbm780/news/local/whole-foods-comes-to-lakeview

[Jibba]

Originally Posted by cloudbod

Forgot to post these pics from Sunday of 227 West Chicago Avenue. The taller core is getting close to being topped out (10 stories)

I love construction sites when there are just the elevator cores. Looks so modern-primitive. Like I want the site as is right now preserved in an architecture museum.