LAKEVIEW — A proposal for two Lakeview apartment buildings — one 19 stories tall and the other six stories — connected at the base cleared a key city panel Thursday.
The Plan Commission voted to approve developer CCA Lakeview’s plans to construct the two buildings, located at 3630-3636 N. Lake Shore Drive and 601-627 W. Waveland Ave., during its meeting Tuesday.
When finished, the 19-story building would stand 228.6 feet tall and the six-story building would be 75.6 feet tall, said Jack George, an attorney representing the developers. The two structures would be connected at the base around a shared courtyard.
The project would have 333 apartment units, including 11 affordable housing units, George said. It would also have 145 car parking spaces and 50 bike parking spaces.
The latest iteration of the proposal came after an extensive community review process that began in 2018, engaging the building’s direct neighbors and various community organizations, George said.
Ald. Tom Tunney (43rd), who heads the Plan Commission, ultimately supported the project but questioned its use of ground-floor retail space for a restaurant.
“This is unusual use of inner Lake Shore Drive,” Tunney said.
George said the developers decided to go with a restaurant for the ground-level space after the idea generated lots of support from community members.
“The type of restaurant they’re talking about putting in here is a family neighborhood type of restaurant,” George said. “This was discussed at great length with the neighbors … and there was a great support and people felt it was a good thing coming to the neighborhood.”
Ald. James Cappleman (46th), whose ward encompasses the proposal’s site, said a lot of the area’s residents are 70 years or older, and they wanted a nearby restaurant.
“They wanted something closer by, especially for when grandkids come in — a place they could all eat,” Cappleman said.
The proposal will now go to City Council on Wednesday for final approval.
Jake Wittich is a Report for America corps member covering Lakeview, Lincoln Park and LGBTQ communities across the city for Block Club Chicago.
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