A mixed-use development project at 210-220 North Morgan Street in Chicago's Fulton Market district has undergone significant changes, with new developers presenting revised plans that feature a shorter building and completely different architectural design. The property, situated mid-block between Lake Street and Fulton Street, appears to have changed ownership from its original developer who received municipal approval for their initial proposal more than three years ago.
The original development plans were spearheaded by NewCastle Investors, who partnered with local architecture firm HPA to create the building's design. Their ambitious proposal called for a striking glass-clad, three-tiered tower that would have soared 33 stories high, reaching an impressive height of 380 feet. The previous design included 204 residential units, ground-level retail space, and a 50-vehicle parking garage to serve residents and visitors.
Despite receiving official approval, the project remained inactive for years, leading to the recent change in development leadership. A new zoning application has now been filed by a limited liability company led by Luxury Apartments Chicago in partnership with Parq Development. The new development team has brought in ParkFowler Plus as their architectural firm to create an entirely fresh design approach for the site.
The updated architectural plans represent a significant departure from the original vision, both in scale and design philosophy. The new proposal calls for an 18-story tower that will rise approximately 260 feet, making it substantially shorter than the previously approved 33-story structure. Unfortunately, the revised design abandons much of the distinctive character of the original HPA design in favor of a two-staggered-boxes architectural approach that has become commonplace throughout the Fulton Market neighborhood.
The ground floor of the new building will accommodate roughly 3,800 square feet of retail space, providing commercial opportunities for local businesses. The building will also feature a compact lobby area for residents and visitors, while the second floor will house a parking garage with 30 spaces, significantly fewer than the 50 spaces originally planned. The reduction in parking reflects changing urban development trends and the neighborhood's excellent public transportation access.
The upper floors of the tower will contain 268 residential units, representing an increase from the 204 units in the original design. These apartments are expected to offer a variety of layouts, likely including studio apartments for young professionals, one-bedroom units for couples, and two-bedroom apartments for small families. While the final number of affordable housing units has not yet been confirmed, the developers will need to comply with Chicago's affordable housing requirements.
All residents will have access to various rooftop decks and terraces, providing outdoor recreational space and city views. The building's exterior design will feature a mixed-material approach, with the lower levels clad in brick to complement the neighborhood's industrial heritage, while the tower portion will showcase two different tones of metal paneling to create visual interest and modern appeal.
The development team is currently working through the regulatory process, seeking an amendment to the original zoning approval that was granted to the previous developers. If the amended zoning application receives approval and construction proceeds according to the projected timeline, residents and the community can expect the building to reach completion by late 2027, bringing hundreds of new housing units to the rapidly growing Fulton Market area.
