Planning Commission approves mixed-use development at 2328 S. Michigan

The Chicago Plan Commission has approved a mixed-use development at 2328 S. Michigan. The project site, planned by Fern Hill, is located mid-block between E. 23rd St and E. 24th St. The property was previously home to a Burger King, which is surrounded by an empty parking lot.

Eckenhoff Saunders’ design divides the development into two volumes at the front and rear of the site. Along the street, the seven-story volume has been broken up, dividing the 175-foot frontage into three parts that complement the surrounding buildings in width and size as part of the historic Motor Row District. The facades are clad in materials that resemble but do not match the district in color, including terra cotta-colored masonry, white glazed brick, and tan brick.

An 18-story, 170-foot-tall mid-rise will be constructed at the rear of the site. The building was set back from the street so it would not be visible from the historic district. The tower was designed neutrally with an aluminum curtain wall, metal plate edge caps, and glass parapet panels.

The development will include 256 residential units, with a housing mix of 88 studios, 136 one-bedrooms and 32 two-bedrooms. The project includes 64 affordable housing units, representing 25% of the units. The development is one of the first projects to take advantage of the Connected Communities ordinance space bonus, which allows developers to exchange parking spaces for affordable housing. The affordable housing units will be divided into 22 studios, 34 one-bedrooms and 8 two-bedrooms.

On the ground floor, the project faces S. Michigan Ave. and offers 280 square meters of retail space. The residential entrance is located at the south end of the building’s front. 16 residential units are located along a courtyard that separates the two buildings. Ten parking spaces are located along the alley, two of which have loading docks. 256 bicycle parking spaces are provided in a bicycle room between the residential lobby and the loading dock.

The developer wants to rezone the site from DS-5 to DX-5 and designate it as planned development. The project will contribute $1.66 million to the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund to receive a 3.1 FAR bonus, and a 0.31 FAR bonus will be taken from the parking space exchange. With the approval of the Chicago Plan Commission, the $110 million construction project can move forward and receive approval from the Committee on Zoning and the City Council. Once permits are in place, the team will attempt to secure financing. Once financing is secured, construction will begin.