This new multifamily mixed use development in Chicago’s Lakeview  neighborhood is a departure from the typical city “6-flat”. The lot was zoned for a type of business use that allows residential units above the first floor. Its corner location meant that the project could benefit from relief provided by the Zoning Ordinance from the usual front and side yard setback. To maximize the potential of the lot and corresponding profit potential of the development, the first floor- which used the largest allowable footprint of land, providing only a minimal service corridor on the north- was developed exclusively for small commercial storefronts. The primary storefronts face Southport Avenue on the east and were targeted for retail use. Smaller storefronts for professional offices face Grace Street to the north.

Grace Street is also the location of the main door to the six 1555 sq. ft. condominiums above. Locating the entrance here divides the overall area of the residential floor into two equal and nearly square areas. This results in unit plans (2 per floor) with natural light and ventilation from three sides and very little hallway area. Each unit has two bedrooms and two full baths with a third bedroom/study area that results from the gained floor area normally devoted to internal corridors.  A final planning strategy was implemented by setting back the body of the building behind the storefront area. (This shift is more readily seen from the Grace Street elevation.) This results in large, continuous deck areas for the lower residential units- which are formed by the roofs of the garage and storefronts- and a covered access walk to the garages.

The building mass  is modulated and articulated to support the several ways of experiencing the building. The regular rhythm of stone piers alternating with  glass at the ground floor mimics the traditional urban rhythms of a commercial city street. The large mass of the condominiums is divided in two by the common stair; each half is dressed with sloping parapet walls that mirror the gable roofs behind. The tall piers recall typical “6-flat” front porch styling, and large, French doored openings with Juliet balconies simply and effectively articulate the main facades.