Chicago City Council Greenlights 47-Story Tower

The Chicago City Council has approved a 47-story mixed-use tower at 640 West Washington Boulevard in West Loop Gate, Chicago YIMBY reported on June 2. The site, bound by the Kennedy Expressway to the west, West Court Place to the north and North Des Plaines Street to the east, will replace an existing surface parking lot. Crescent Heights is the developer, and the design is by Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture. The new development will rise 515 ft, with a ground floor providing 8,000 ft2 of retail space. The vertical tower will provide 413 residential units. Additionally, 221 bicycle parking spaces and 137 vehicle parking spaces will be provided. A three-story podium occupies the entire site, holding the retail and parking space plus amenities. The development will meet sustainability requirements by exceeding the energy code and the stormwater ordinance, reducing indoor water use and providing EV charging stations, among other efforts. The project includes 41 affordable housing units.