Hundreds of apartments proposed at West Loop industrial site
A Skokie-based real estate firm is looking to overhaul a corner of West Loop with a project that’s equal parts office-to-residential conversion and new construction.
F&F Realty has proposed the conversion of an eight-story building at 1060 W. Van Buren St. The developer's plans will go before the Chicago Plan Commission on Jan. 15, where it's requesting a rezoning to convert the office building into apartments, with retail space on the ground floor.
The firm also wants to build a 27-story building next door with even more apartments — plus space for car and bike parking.
The upcoming Plan Commission meeting could be a big step forward for the project, after the zoning application was filed just over a year ago. The firm purchased the building in 2023 for $12 million, property records show.
F&F Realty didn't respond to requests for comment.
Documents submitted to the city show plans to renovate the Universal Overall Co. building into 111 apartments. There would also be 5,300 square feet of retail space.
Plans show loft-style studio apartments, in addition to one-bedroom lofts. Larger, corner units will have two bedrooms. Amenities will include a dog wash, coworking space, fitness center and rooftop terrace.
Next to it will be the new 293-foot high-rise with 214 apartments. The upper floors of the new construction building will have a select number of three-bedroom apartments. It will have a rooftop pool, parking and ground floor retail. There will also be a glass facade over the lower levels to break up the masonry.
The total number of units for the project will be 325, with 65 affordable units, in compliance with the city’s Affordable Requirements Ordinance. Rents will be affordable to those making an average of 60% the area median income.
The project, spanning 1054-1060 W. Van Buren St., includes the existing building, parking lot and one-story metal building at the corner of Van Buren and Aberdeen streets.
The real estate firm will add a connection between the buildings during construction.
If approved by the Plan Commission next week, the project will still need final approval by the Chicago City Council.