Support 500 New Homes in Old Town!

Rendering of new high rise viewed from the Wells Street side

500 homes (including 100 affordable homes) are proposed at 1600 N LaSalle in Old Town, steps away from the numerous local amenities that Old Town has to offer.

Why we're excited about this project:

  • Replaces two (!) gas stations, a surface parking lot, and a vacant storefront
  • The Walgreens will be kept, but slightly relocated
  • A grocery tenant is slated for the ground floor
  • Short walk to numerous shopping and dining destinations, enabling car-free trips
  • Walking distance to Sedgwick CTA Brown and Purple Line and five different bus routes
  • Located in an exclusionary, high-resource neighborhood (this is the 10th most expensive ZIP code in Chicago, with a monthly housing cost of $2,364)
  • Removes over a dozen vehicle curb cuts, improving pedestrian safety in the area
  • Provides millions of dollars in tax revenue to the City of Chicago, helping fund schools, public safety, and our City's pension liability
  • Steps away from recreational activities in Lincoln Park and Chicago's lakefront

There is a lot of opposition to this project, ranging from complaints about the aesthetics of a new high-rise to complaints about increased pedestrian activity. But this is an expensive, lively, downtown-adjacent neighborhood that already has towers of similar height.

We are calling on Alderman Hopkins to support the project. Chicago's wealthiest residents should not be allowed to singlehandedly block the construction of desperately-needed housing units in their neighborhood. Let's show that you believe in welcoming new neighbors by sending a letter of support for the project.