The Chicago Department of Planning and Development has revealed the three proposals competing in the Woodlawn RFQ process. Produced by development and design teams that responded to a DPD Request for Qualifications (RFQ) in August 2022, the projects are vying for the chance to develop vacant, city-owned land on E. 63rd St between S. Ingleside Ave and S. Greenwood Ave. 

According to the RFP, the land consists of Site 1 and Site 2, each of which represent unique opportunities to continue the revitalization of Woodlawn with new mixed-use buildings, leverage ongoing investments by the Obama Presidential Center, University of Chicago and other institutions, and to provide new housing and retail opportunities for Woodlawn residents.

The first proposal, dubbed Woodlawn Social, comes from the developer team of POAH and KMW Communities. Set to develop Site 2, the development team includes the collaboration of architects KoningEizenberg and HED Architects on the design. Working to create community through the architecture, the design takes the traditional street block and cuts it up, turning the forms and creating spaces in between for residents and the public. The building is charged with achieving the Living Building Challenge, with the goal of performing in a resilient, carbon-free way.

Set to rise five floors, the building will have a total of 70 homes, including 60 mixed-income apartments broken down into 36 one-beds, 16 two-beds, and 8 three-beds. The remaining 10 housing units will be for-sale townhomes. The project will incorporate 8,500 square feet of commercial space, 9,000 square feet of public open space, 10,000 square feet of private open space, and 26 parking spaces. 

Watch their video here: Woodlawn Social

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The second proposal comes from the developer team of Imagine Development Group and Evergreen Real Estate Group. With John Ronan Architects leading the design, the project has a concept of dialogue between the buildings, creating urban nodes that are concentrations of retail and social activity. The buildings form these spaces by the way they’re shaped and arranged on the site, creating an important massing that offers an urban node on the corner for a safe entry to the daycare. Collaborating with local landscape architect Design Workshop, the building is in dialogue with the urban streetscape. 

Set to rise five floors, the mixed-income building will include 62 units, split into 28 one-beds, 27 two-beds, and 7 three-beds. The project will provide 9,970 square feet of commercial space for a daycare, local business, or start-up business. A public plaza, private children’s play area, and 39 parking spaces will also be included. 

Watch their video here: Evergreen/Imagine

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Dubbed Elevate Ellis, the third proposal for the site comes from DL3 Realty and The Michaels Organization. With an architecture team made up of Canopy Architecture & Design as well as Teeple Architects, the project has been designed to promote entrepreneurship while building community, providing dynamic public space that meets engaging commercial uses. The architecture works to be a catalyst for change, inspired by the textiles of African-American folk art, stitching the corridor like the fabric of the community. 

Set to rise six floors, the mixed-use project will include 21 one-beds, 32 two-beds, and 9 three-beds. As part of the effort to promote entrepreneurship, the building includes 11 live/work units for Woodlawn entrepreneurs. Working with Sunshine Enterprises, the development will provide support and technical services for entrepreneurs, including training and coaching. 7,364 square feet of commercial space will enliven the corridor with a potential brewpub, restaurant, or other uses. 33 parking spaces will also be included. 

Providing high quality apartments, the building will cater towards a diverse mix of incomes including a range from 30% AMI all the way up to market rate. Amenities will include a fitness center, a community room and rooftop terrace, on-site management offices, 1:1 bike parking, and lounge and laundry areas. 

Watch their video here: Elevate Ellis

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With DPD looking to engage the community and received feedback, you can take a survey here at this link: Community Survey

DPD will be holding a public meeting on Thursday, February 16th, location to be determined.