Hines, McCaffery Break Ground in Chicago

Rendering of Lincoln Common Chicago

Hines and McCaffery Interests celebrated the start of construction on a new development set to rise on the triangular lot at 2300 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. The 6-acre site was formerly occupied by The Children’s Memorial Hospital, which moved to Streeterville.

The developers plan to bring two new residential buildings on Lincoln Ave., featuring 538 apartments, including more than 50 affordable units. In addition, the project will provide 94,000 square feet of dining and retail space; 47,000 square feet of office space and 67,000 square feet of open public and park space. Given the area’s historic profile, the developers and architects plan to do their best to align the new buildings to the architectural specifics of the other structures on Lincoln Ave.

“The Lincoln Common features a strong blend of historic preservation with bold new architecture. (Thus,) we’ve made a very strong commitment to the historic nature of the site and our team has an aligned vision to deliver an asset that will enhance the community” said McCaffery’s CEO, Dan McCaffery, in a prepared statement.

The team of developers and architects repurposed a series of existing buildings on Lincoln Ave., while preserving their façades. Some of the properties go back to the late 19th and early 20th century, such as the former “Laundry Building” and “Boiler House” designed by Holabird and Roche in 1931, the “White Elephant” building designed by Lowenberg and Lowenberg in 1925 and the “Dental Professionals of Lincoln Park” 1890 building.

Construction work is planned to start in the second quarter of 2017 and tenants are expected in late 2018. Architecture firms Skidmore Owings and Merrill and Antunovich Associates contributed to the master plan, while general contractor W.E. O’Neill completed demolition work of the former hospital facility.

Recently, the San Francisco Hines team laid the final beam on Salesforce Tower.

Rendering courtesy of Hines