2076
N. Humboldt, Chicago, IL
This eight
unit condominium development benefits from several advantages that in
concert have resulted in a superior small development project. The
first of these is it’s location. When this rare, Boulevard facing
building site was
offered, the developer (a long time resident of the area), appealed to
the seller for a chance to build a project that would hold its own
with the surrounding stately vintage architecture. Additionally, the
substantial adjacent open space permitted
a 20% increase to the allowable buildable floor area for a similarly
sized lot elsewhere in Chicago. This resulted in eight two bedroom,
two bath units varying in size from 1020 to 1650 sq. ft.
At
first glance, this project conveys the familiar image of the city
“6-flat”, yet this masks its internal complexity. Six of the eight
units
face the Boulevard. The first and garden levels are combined to form
two duplex units. The second floor contains two flats, and the third
and fourth floors house two additional duplex units. These top units
were planned for double height living room spaces to maximize
the light and view afforded by the width of the
boulevard. The top floor recedes from the front of the building to
keep the facade in scale with the neighboring buildings and to
maximize the size of the second outdoor deck, which provides a tree
top view of the downtown Chicago Loop. The remaining two units are
accessed through a secondary stair entrance located on the side of the
building. These units are also duplexes and occupy the whole width of
the building. This results in more centralized plans that are
virtually free of corridors and provide views and natural light from
three sides. These units face the rear yard and also have extensive
open decks.
The
developer, an accomplished custom contractor for many premier
residences in Chicago, brought an unusual affinity for higher quality
materials and better skilled tradesmen to bear on this project. This
is evident in his willingness to use premium materials and a special
color palette in contrast to the monotonous red brick/ grey limestone
combination typical of small development projects in Chicago. Details
such as the battered pier bases, three brick colors, arching privacy
trellis at the in-ground patios, and plant friendly dry laid masonry
retaining walls help this project fit in comfortably with its elegant
neighbors.
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