A Change of Plans Brings Amylu to the Fulton River District

Chicago’s historic Fulton Market District was once filled with cold storage meatpacking warehouses and sausage factories. Now, it’s firing up as a smoking hot area for real estate development. Construction cranes are popping up throughout this slice of the West Loop as new apartments, office buildings, hotels and new tech-based companies are lining up to call the neighborhood “home”. 

The rapid changes in Fulton Market are happening so fast that one developer is proposing a significant shift from their prior approved plans. This comes on the heels of eased restrictions on residential development in Fulton Market last year. 

So, let’s take a closer look at what’s being proposed now for 1150 and 1143 W. Lake Street. The two brand-new apartment buildings are called Amylu North and Amylu South and they’re set to impress! 

Developer Shifts Plans Towards Apartments

In 2020, LG Development had a three-building project – comprised of an apartment building, a hotel and an office – approved for construction. Now, the developer is switching gears and instead constructing two apartment towers with ground floor retail. They’ll be located across the street from each other on Lake Street, between May and Racine.

On the north side of the street at 1150 W. Lake, the new proposal is for a 20-story, 222-foot building with 179 apartments. Across the street at 1143 W. Lake, the plans call for a larger L-shaped tiered structure. The tallest section makes it a 33-story, 330-foot building with 486 apartments. 

The pair of buildings are being presented to the city and will need approval to get the green-light on construction. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, LG will also introduce another proposal for a third 400-unit apartment building at 210 N. Aberdeen. 

If LG gets full approval, that’s 1,065 brand-new luxury apartments coming to the neighborhood. The city’s Planning Commission has recently approved other developers’ plans nearby. So, even though there are still a few hurdles to jump with the community and the city, I think LG’s chances are pretty good.

Developer and Designer Background

Chicago’s LG Development 17-year track-record has pivoted from constructing single-family homes to large residential and commercial multi-unit buildings. Their multifaceted firm also offers design, investment and construction services.  

No strangers to Chicago’s West Loop, they also recently completed new construction of luxury apartments at 1220 W. Jackson.

A different architecture firm was also brought on board for the revised Amylu plans. Gensler is a global company with a Chicago branch office in the Loop. Massive projects are usually their thing. Previous designs include Lincoln Yards Life Sciences Building, the redesign of the Old Chicago Main Post Office, and the 114,000 square-foot Columbia College Chicago Student Center.

New Chicago Apartments with Green Space

Green spaces are the highlight of the Amylu apartments proposal. Renderings showcase multiple outdoor terraces and pool decks on both north and south towers. They incorporate landscaped greenery and new trees on the terraces and at the street level.  

Plus, they have a target goal to hit at least 100 points that meet or exceed the Chicago Sustainable Development Policy. To achieve this, their plan includes strategies for energy efficiency, stormwater reduction, natural landscapes, water conservation, transportation initiatives and even wildlife preservation.

Luxury Apartments in West Loop with City Views

The building structures are also designed with Fulton Market guidelines in an effort to preserve the character of the historic neighborhood. Setbacks and street level masonry for the retail portions of the buildings are aimed at complementing the neighborhood’s industrial roots.  

The upper residential floors are more modern and sleek, with glass wall systems lined with metal panels. Some units on the north tower feature glass and aluminum balconies. From either their glass walls or balconies, the residents at Amylu will have enviable cityscape views of downtown and the West Loop!

Both towers will include indoor parking garages with a combined total of 290 parking spaces. I’m assuming bicycle storage will be available too.  

Details about units haven’t been announced yet, but if on par with other luxury apartments in the West Loop I would expect to see familiar features. It wouldn’t be surprising to see a mix of studios, convertibles, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units. Floor-to-ceiling windows make up the structure, so that’s a given. Hardwood floors, modern kitchen appliances, and in-unit washers and dryers would likely be standard. 

Enviable Amenities and Pet-Friendly Features

Since LG was initially planning for one of these buildings to be an office tower, I would venture a guess that they might also incorporate work-from-home spaces in the units. Co-working lounges have been part of luxury apartments well before Covid, so it’s a safe bet they will be at Amylu too.

I do see dog runs on the plans for both towers, so that means Amylu will be another of the many apartments in West Loop that allow pets. There are a few fantastic parks in the West Loop, but it will be super convenient to have those dog runs on-site amid Fulton Market’s more industrial vibe. 

Fulton Market is Ideal For Commuters

A trip to Chicago’s downtown Loop is a snap from the Fulton Market district. The CTA Green/Pink elevated trains run through the neighborhood along Lake Street, with the Morgan Street station just 3 blocks from Amylu. 

West Loop and Fulton Market are home to tons of major corporate offices, so many neighborhood residents also walk to work. With even more industries coming to the area soon, the popularity of this neighborhood will only increase.

The growing Illinois Medical District, and it’s 4 major hospitals, is also nearby. Commuting to Rush University Medical Center and the Illinois Medical District is less than a 10-minute drive south. Or, you can get there on the CTA Pink Line train.

What’s Close to Amylu Apartments

Work and Offices Nearby

• Google Fulton Market
• Fulton Labs
• Illinois Medical District – Rush, UIC, Stroger and Brown VA hospitals
• McDonald’s HQ & Global Menu Restaurant
• Chicago Sun-Times
• Northwestern Medicine Immediate Care
• Blue Plate Catering
• Lakeshore Beverage

Fulton Market Groceries and Conveniences

• Walgreens Pharmacy
• Dispensary 33
• Foxtrot Market
• Jewel-Osco
• West Loop Market
• Whole Foods Market

Favorite Restaurants and Bars a Walk Away

• Swift & Sons
• Smyth + Loyalist
• Gaijin
• Federales
• Heritage Bikes and Coffee
• Forno Rosso Pizzeria Napoletana

Public Parks in West Loop

• Union Park
• Skinner Park
• Mary Bartelme Park

Transportation Near Fulton Market

• CTA Green and Pink Line trains: Morgan Station
• CTA bus routes: #8 Halsted,  #9 Ashland, #20 Madison, #66 Grand
• Metra Trains: Ogilvie Transportation Center
• Expressways:  I-290 and I-90 

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