Fulton Market to Add Over 500 New Apartments Near Union Park

An ambitious plan for a trio of apartment buildings is coming to the west end of the West Loop’s landmark Fulton Market District, historically known as a meat-packing and wholesale hub. 

These new residential properties will be part of the next wave of change coming to this area on the Near West Side of downtown Chicago. 

Just south of Lake Street, this project will add a whopping 500 new apartments to both sides of Ogden Avenue. Yup, this mega-project certainly isn’t fooling around. One building will sit at 1400 W. Randolph St. to the east and two more at 1440 W. Randolph St. to the west. 

Residents will enjoy views and recreation across the street at Union Park. With so much greenspace just steps away, we have high hopes that the building will be pet and dog-friendly.

Developer Details

Naperville-based developer Marquette Companies is bringing a couple of unique plans to the table for this project. The tallest tower was approved for 282 feet and 25 stories, which will make it one of the neighborhood’s tallest buildings. I can imagine the views will be some of the best in the West Loop.

Also, the developer is planning to dedicate one of the three properties exclusively as affordable units, instead of incorporating them throughout all three buildings. This is an unusual approach to meet the city’s affordable-housing rules for this specially designated zone, which requires that 20 percent of a property be classified as affordable housing, compared to the standard 10 percent.

One High Rise

The 25-story high-rise will stand at 1400 W. Randolph and is planned to include 281 apartments, 108 parking spaces, 225 bicycle spaces, as well as a craft brewery restaurant and retail space on the ground floor. I would loooooove to see outdoor dining at the unusually large rounded corner at Randolph and Ogden.  

Two Mid-Rises

On the west side of Ogden, at 1440 W. Randolph, two smaller residential buildings will replace a low-rise warehouse and parking lot. A six-story structure will have 85 affordable rentals, and an adjacent eight-story building will have 175 luxury apartments. 

Since these two mid-rise buildings will sit directly across the street from the northeast tip of Union Park, it would be a shame not to see them covered in balconies. Imagine stepping out and enjoying your morning cup of coffee with a serene view – a coveted bonus not many Chicago renters get to enjoy. I’m ready to take bets on balconies being a sure thing.

The developer picked the location with commuters in mind – the CTA Green/Pink line station at Ashland is about a 5-minute walk away, and there is easy access nearby to I-90 and I-290 expressways. 

Marquette Companies is working with Chicago-based architecture firm Brininstool + Lynch to design all three buildings. This team most recently collaborated on The Mason, also located in the West Loop. If The Mason’s sleek and chic industrial-style aesthetic is any indicator of what’s in store for this project, I see seriously good things coming!

Neighborhood Transition

While commercial development has boomed in West Loop’s Fulton Market in recent years, residential development has been curbed north of Lake Street. The 27^thward Alderman Walter Burnett Jr. has opposed developers’ proposals for condos and apartments for several years due to concerns voiced by some neighborhood residents over the years.

However, the recent economic impact of the coronavirus shutdown has prompted the alderman to ease restrictions on residential development in this area, according to his comments to Block Club Chicago in May 2020.

Developers that have long advocated for increased residential development in Fulton Market may soon see more green lights from the alderman. They see an increasing demand for residential needs in Fulton Market as newcomers relocate to the neighborhood. With an influx of major offices such as Google, McDonald’s, and Dyson relocating to West Loop, and new office towers under construction left and right, the housing demand will not subside anytime soon. 

Residential development in Fulton Market, especially along Ogden, will also provide more housing options to workers in the nearby west side Medical District. And then there’s the $140M renovation of the Cook County Hospital building. Scheduled for completion is July 2020, the century-old landmark will include a new hotel and medical office complex, increasing West Loop housing demand big time.

Nearby Conveniences, Attractions and Businesses:

• Union Park
• Skinner Park
• United Center 
• Restaurant Row – Randolph Street
• Randolph Street Market
• Fulton Market Street – restaurants, breweries and bars
• Google Fulton Market
• McDonald’s Headquarters
• Dyson
• Lakeshore Beverage Distributors
• Blue Plate Catering
• Whitney Young High School
• University of Illinois Chicago
• Illinois Medical District – Rush, UIC, Stroger hospitals
• CTA Green and Pink Lines – Ashland Station
• I-290
• I-90 

If you’re looking for an apartment in the Fulton Market area, contact HotSpot Rentals today. Our expert agents consistently earn five-star reviews helping folks find their perfect place, and we would love to help you too!