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West Loop Apartment Tower Gets Shorter, Advances To City Council Vote

By  Ariel Cheung and Heather Cherone | September 1, 2017 6:13am 

 A shorter version of what was initially proposed as a 13-story apartment tower at Ada and Lake got approval from the city Plan Commission Wednesday.
A shorter version of what was initially proposed as a 13-story apartment tower at Ada and Lake got approval from the city Plan Commission Wednesday.
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Provided/City of Chicago

WEST LOOP — In an attempt to gain neighbors' support for their plans, developers have shortened what is now a 10-story mixed-use building proposal at Ada and Lake streets.

The amended approach secured the support of both Ald. Walter Burnett Jr. (27th) and the Chicago Plan Commission, which approved the new plans for 172 N. Ada St. Wednesday, advancing the proposal to City Council for a Sept. 6 vote.

Clocking in at 41,596 square feet on the intersection's southwest corner next to Bottom Lounge, the building will replace two parking lots that stretch from 1353-1367 W. Lake St.

The development would be shorter than others proposed in the past — including an earlier 13-story version — which helped to secure Burnett's support, he said.

"This development is rather shorter than a lot of the other things that are being proposed, so the community didn't have a problem with it," Burnett said. "It's not by any other residential development, so it's something that we think is going to help enhance the area."

Plan for the ground floor of 172 N. Ada St. [Provided/City of Chicago]

While the fast-expanding Sterling Bay firm bought the property in 2014, it plans to sell the space to the Naperville-based Marquette Companies.

Of the 263 apartments, developers agreed to include 26 affordable units in the mixed-use building, which will feature a retail space on the first floor and nine floors of residential units. Neighbors were also pleased to hear developers want to include some three-bedroom units, encouraging more families to move into the building.

There would also be 101 enclosed parking spaces and a bike room. On the roof, a pool and dog park will sit next to green roof space.

If approved, developers hope to start construction in January and expect work to take 18 months.

Renderings for the roof of 172 N. Ada St. [Provided/City of Chicago]

A view of the development from the east. [Provided/City of Chicago]

The earlier 13-story version, which included an eight-story tier, drew concern from the Neighbors of West Loop development committee.

Neighbors asked to cut the building at 139 feet tall, and the final proposal includes a 114-foot-tall main structure, with another 32 feet for a proposed mechanical box atop the building.

Earlier plans for 172 N. Ada St. featured a 13-story apartment building with an eight-story tier. [Neighbors of West Loop/Brininstool & Lynch]