United Yards 1A

United Yards 1A is a modern, mixed-use, all-electric development that delivers affordable family housing, youth community space and a revitalized streetscape along Chicago’s 47th Street corridor. The project serves as a catalyst for the United Yards Master Plan, expanding access to housing, healthcare, and neighborhood amenities. Its design reaffirms this high-traffic, civic corridor and complements its bold architectural lineage while introducing a contemporary, community-oriented asset that delivers much-needed housing and community space.

The façade’s informed by the terra cotta craftsmanship of nearby historic landmarks: the historic Goldblatt’s building and the vibrant Rainbow building (AKA the Depositors Bank Building). Familiar materials are reinterpreted through contemporary detailing, establishing continuity with the past while moving forward. A bold architectural gesture—an inset, or “crack,” in the masonry—terraces across the street-facing façades and meets at the corner, establishing a visual connection from the street’s public realm below to the building’s one above.

The program and functions are shaped directly by the needs and priorities of neighborhood families and stakeholders. Hence, there are a large number of three-bedroom, family-oriented homes—each designed with generous windows, efficient layouts, and strong access to daylight and fresh air, as well as a well-sized community room plus outdoor terrace with downtown views. For the broader neighborhood, the project establishes a visible standard for future development—demonstrating that new investment can enhance the community not erode it.