We’re sending this mid-week update to keep you informed on the many new developments moving forward in the 42nd Ward. From adaptive reuse projects that update historic buildings to new construction on long vacant lots, there’s strong interest in investing in Downtown Chicago. These proposals reflect renewed confidence in the central business district and a shared commitment to its long-term vitality. Please review the project details below—we welcome your feedback as part of our transparent community review process.

42nd Ward Development Updates

PD Amendment Proposal for 150 West Hubbard Street:

In 2016, the City Council approved a Planned Development (PD) for a 19-story (235’ tall) Hyatt Andaz Hotel at 150 West Hubbard Street / 430 North LaSalle Street. The approved project included 196 hotel rooms and nearly 19,000 square feet of public food, beverage, and event space, including a rooftop bar. The development was intended for luxury travelers and long-stay guests, with no on-site parking due to the site’s proximity to public transit. Andaz locations are known for being a destination for weddings and corporate gatherings. 

Based upon changed market conditions, the property owner is now seeking to amend the PD to revise the program for a new hotel concept. The proposed new hotel is designed for The Cloud One Hotel, a popular “affordable luxury” company, which operates nearly 100 locations in Europe.

The revised building was previously proposed as shorter (16 stories and 193 feet tall) with more and smaller rooms (341 keys), and eliminating all of the public event space, including the rooftop bar. After thorough review, Alderman Reilly directed the property owner to scale back the project. The project is now proposed with 297 rooms, and a further reduced height to 15 stories and 186 feet in height. Approximately 3,800 square feet of ground-floor restaurant space is proposed as the only commercial space in the building, and all outdoor spaces would be limited to hotel guests. No on-site parking is included in the amended plan. The revised plans, comparison images and traffic study can all be found here.

Type 1 Application for 223 West Erie:

Concord Capital is proposing to adaptively reuse the existing building at 223 West Erie by converting its upper floors from office to residential use, while preserving the ground-floor retail. The project will create approximately 66 new rental apartments without altering the building’s height, footprint, or envelope. An on-site loading dock accessed from the public alley will be used to support the residential use. No zoning change is required. To allow the building to remain in its current form, the development team will seek a transit-served location parking reduction, to reduce the required rear yard setback, and other minor zoning relief. The building has been nominated for listing on the National Register of Historic Places as part of this redevelopment effort, which will deliver much-needed new housing to the area while preserving and ensuring the long-term sustainability of this historic resource.

These projects will be reviewed at an upcoming Chicago Plan Commission meeting, with subsequent approval required by City Council.  As part of Alderman Reilly’s transparent community process for new developments, your comments and observations are welcome. Please click here to provide your feedback on 42nd Ward developments.

As-of-Right Residential Developments

Several new residential projects are moving forward in the 42nd Ward, all proceeding "as-of-right" under the existing Zoning code. Projects are described below by address:

111 West Illinois: (adaptive reuse)

Chicago Development Partners plans to convert the commercial building at 111 West Illinois. The ground-floor retail, restaurant, and lobby spaces will remain, as will the office space on floors 2–4. Floors 5–10 will be converted into approximately 153 new residential units. The redevelopment includes a 1,700-square-foot indoor amenity space and a 2,600-square-foot rooftop terrace on the 10th floor. No vehicle parking is proposed, but the project will add 160 bicycle parking spaces and two 10’ x 25’ loading spaces within the building.

120 West Illinois: (adaptive reuse)

MO2 Properties, LLC plans to convert the upper floors of 120 West Illinois to residential, preserving the existing commercial space (dance studio) on the ground floor. The project will create 36 residential apartments on floors 2-7 and provide a roof deck and basement amenity space for tenant use.

309 West Washington: (adaptive reuse)

This project proposes the residential conversion of an existing thirteen-story office building. The vacant upper floors (2–13) will be reconfigured into 84 residential units—72 standard units and 12 efficiency units—while maintaining retail use at the ground level. Though compliant with the DC-16 zoning for residential use and unit count, the developer is seeking Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) approval for variations to eliminate parking and loading requirements and waive the open space requirement due to the lot line-to-lot line building footprint.

227 West Chicago: (new construction)

The subject property is located at 227 W. Chicago Ave. contains 15,327 sq. ft. of lot area and is located in a DX-5 zoning district.  The site formerly operated with a Walmart Express.  It has been vacant for many years.  A Planned Development was approved in 2019 for the development of the property, but that project did not move forward. Alderman Reilly sunset the Planned Development in 2024 and reverted the underlying zoning back to the original DX-5 district.

NP 225 W Chicago, LLC, is proposing to develop the subject property with a new ten-story mixed-use building containing 3,069 sq. ft. of retail space at grade level and 56 residential units above.  The proposed building will measure 125’ 8” in height (measured to the tenth floor) (134’ 8” measured to the rooftop features).  The subject property is a Transit Served Location based on its close proximity to the CTA Brown Line.  W. Chicago Ave. is also a designated TSL/TOD Bus Route.  The proposed mixed-use building will be supported by 22 off-street parking spaces.  NP 225 W Chicago, LLC, intends to seek an Administrative Adjustment to reduce the proposed off-street parking total pursuant to TOD from 28 parking spaces (50% ratio) to 22 parking spaces (39% ratio).  The proposed building’s floor area total, height, setbacks, and density otherwise comply with the DX-5 zoning regulations and do not require zoning relief. Please click here to review project details.

Adaptive reuse projects involve a creative update of older or underutilized buildings and represents a step forward in revitalizing downtown with new housing opportunities. All projects described above comply with the underlying zoning and do not require Aldermanic approval or zoning map amendments.

Proposed Landmark Designation:

161 East Erie Street

On May 15, 2025, the Commission on Chicago Landmarks held a public hearing regarding the proposed designation of 161 East Erie Street as a Chicago Landmark. The hearing included presentations from City staff and testimony from the property owner, as well as community stakeholders. This public hearing was a required step in the process, as the property owner did not consent to the proposed designation.

The Commission is expected to issue a final recommendation on landmark designation at its next meeting on Wednesday, June 5. That meeting is open to the public and will be livestreamed for those who wish to follow the proceedings. Alderman Reilly appreciates the community’s engagement on this matter and will continue to share updates as they become available.