Development Of Massive New Wicker Park Rental Tower Is Moving Forward

By Rachel Cromidas in News on Dec 23, 2016 7:23PM

Wicker Park Connection rendering via Hirsch Associates

The city has issued a building permit for a 15-story apartment tower in Wicker Park—the latest in a string of new towers planned along the Blue Line.

Wicker Park Connection, as the tower was dubbed by developers who first introduced the project last year, would have 140 rental units, townhouses, an adjacent condo building and 52 parking spaces, in addition to some new retail spots at 1640 W. Division St. A permit on the $12 million project was issued earlier this week. The original proposal called for a massive, 275-unit apartment complex; the development is now looking to have closer to 200 units—mostly rentals and some condos and townhomes.

The site is sprawling, and developers plan to create a pedestrian thoroughfare that cuts through the property with a small park, sculpture art and seating.

Centrum Partners is developing the site with the architects Hirsch Associates. Centrum and Hirsch are also in the process of developing a new luxury rental tower off The 606 trail and Centrum Wicker Park, a 6-story rental building at 1650 W. Division St., where studio apartments start at $1,900 a month.