Bold headline: A 32-story West Loop tower gets a green light from the Plan Commission, signaling a major step forward for 1338 West Lake Street.
But here’s where it gets controversial: the project’s latest updates tighten the podium’s relationship with the surrounding neighborhood while reshaping retail and residential dynamics along Ada Street.
Overview
- The Chicago Plan Commission has approved revised plans for the mixed-use tower at 1338 West Lake Street, located at the corner of North Ada Street in the West Loop. The project has been in development for three years and recently received design updates aimed at better integrating with the surrounding area.
- Cedar Street Companies leads the development, collaborating with local architecture firm SCB. The building will rise 32 stories to about 364 feet, including a six-story podium that sits largely behind adjacent buildings and nearby CTA tracks to the south. Most changes focus on this podium segment.
Key design changes
- The podium now features 7,800 square feet of retail space at the main street corner. A large sculpture previously planned for the podium has been removed.
- Instead, the updated plan adds liner residential units along Ada Street on the five upper levels of the podium. These units will have their own dedicated elevator bank, which increases the overall number of homes in the project.
- Parking has been reduced to 191 spaces.
- The podium will be topped with a substantial outdoor deck and two recessed amenity levels that separate it from the main tower above.
Residential and amenities
- The development will include 321 residential units, predominantly studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom layouts, with a limited number of three-bedroom units. Of these, 65 units are designated as affordable housing.
- The tower will cap with an amenity level and a rooftop deck featuring a pool.
Architecture and scope
- Exterior cladding consists of blue multi-tone glass and gray panels along the podium. The project carries a $155 million price tag.
- The plan calls for a future City Council vote before a planned groundbreaking in Q4 2026 and a projected completion in Q3 2028.
Context and connections
- The project follows recent approvals for Foundry Park and a contentious approval of nearby 215 North Racine in Fulton Market. We’ll cover those developments in upcoming updates.
What this means
- For residents and visitors, 1338 West Lake Street signals ongoing revitalization and increased housing options in the West Loop, with a stronger emphasis on street-level retail and a more integrated podium design.
Thoughts to consider
- How do you weigh the benefits of added housing and retail space against potential shifts in neighborhood character and traffic? Do you think the new liner units and dedicated elevator banks are a win for accessibility and inclusivity, or do they raise questions about affordability and density? Share your views in the comments.
