Chicago Plan Commission Approves 42-Story West Loop Tower With Hundreds of Units

The Chicago Plan Commission granted final approval on July 10 for a 42-story mixed-use tower at 900 W. Lake Street in the West Loop, clearing the way for 312 apartments and 28,000 square feet of retail space.

The decision arrives as downtown-adjacent neighborhoods face sustained pressure for new housing supply, with West Loop vacancy rates for Class A apartments sitting at 7.2 percent in the second quarter according to local brokerage reports. Developers have cited rising construction costs and extended review timelines as reasons for pausing other sites, making this approval a concrete step toward additional inventory near the central business district.

Site and neighborhood ties

The 1.8-acre parcel lies two blocks west of the Randolph Street restaurant corridor and one block south of the Fulton Market District, where the former meatpacking plants now house offices for Google and McDonald’s headquarters. The project will replace a surface parking lot that served commuters using the nearby Morgan Street Green Line station. City records show the developer committed to 15 percent affordable units under the city’s Affordable Requirements Ordinance, with rents capped at 60 percent of area median income for those apartments.

Traffic studies submitted with the application projected 1,450 daily vehicle trips, prompting requirements for a new protected bike lane along Lake Street between Halsted and Morgan. The West Loop Community Organization reviewed the plans in June and requested additional loading zones to limit double-parking during peak restaurant hours.

Numbers and timeline

Project costs are listed at $312 million in permit filings, with average market-rate rents projected at $3,150 per month for one-bedroom units. Construction is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2027 and reach completion by late 2029, according to the development timeline filed with the Department of Planning and Development. The building will include 180 parking spaces, below the previous zoning maximum, after the commission accepted a transit-oriented development waiver.

Residents and businesses seeking updates can monitor the city’s zoning portal for the next public hearing on design details scheduled for September. Property owners along the 800 and 900 blocks of West Lake Street have been notified of temporary street closures expected during foundation work.

This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.