Recently ULI Chicago members had the opportunity to tour Lincoln Common, developed by McCaffery & Hines.  The tour began at the 20^th story amenity clubhouse, with an explanation of the eight-year development process at the former Children’s Memorial Hospital.  ULI members learned that McCaffery submitted the winning proposal and later invited Hines (a competitor during the original bid) to collaborate in the development.  It was explained that the partnership leveraged McCaffery’s creativity and Hines’ rigorous approach to the development process.  The mixed-use project created urban pedestrian corridors, renovated existing historic buildings and re-used the hospital’s 800 car garage, and two 20-story residential, rental unit towers.  The plaza is being heavily programmed with events, such as yoga and simulcast baseball games to create amenities supported by the new retail tenants, such as Equinox, and benefiting both Lincoln Common residents and the greater neighborhood.

Following the introduction, ULI members visited the rooftop pool, fitness center and penthouse level units.  The development team noted that 70% of the units were efficiencies or 1 bedrooms, with the remainder 2 and 3 bedroom units.    The penthouse units were fit out in white, modern-style finishes with layouts that take advantage of daylight and impressive views to the rest of the neighborhood and city.  Affordable housing units were dispersed throughout intentionally to avoid isolating these residents as outlined in the City of Chicago’s affordable housing requirements.  Leasing is ongoing with the residential units, and construction on low-rise residential components continues, but the team noted success in occupying the retail spaces.

Following the tour, ULI Chicago members gathered a the Parson’s Chicken on Halsted for continued networking.

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Summary by ULI Chicago Member Juan M. Villafañe, Associate Principal, Krueck + Sexton Architects