United Yards Master Plan

Transforming a historic corridor with engaging housing, retail and community spaces

Location

Chicago IL

Back of the Yards

Status

Construction

Size

+100,000 SF

Client

Celadon Partners

Contractor

TBD

Type

Affordable Housing

Civic

Commercial

Community

Historic

Hospitality

Housing

Market Rate Housing

Mixed-Use

Planning

Renovation

United Yards represents a transformative, multi-phase effort across several sites along the historic Back of the Yards 47th St corridor. The program includes 51 units of affordable housing, community spaces, senior housing, commercial spaces for local businesses and a Federally Qualified Health Center. Providing both planning and architecture services, DesignBridge is leading this marquee generational project.

The project is the winning competition proposal for the New City and Back of the Yards INVEST South/West RFP hosted by the City of Chicago. It proposes a continuum of live, work and play across housing, community, and commercial spaces within a 2-3 block stretch. Four sites make up the plan anchored by two flagship projects: a new six-story mixed-use affordable housing and community space building and the adaptive reuse and historic restoration of “the Rainbow Building” as a housing and retail building and hub.

Additionally, there will be 15,000 SF of new retail space with 5-6 locally owned businesses and a healthcare clinic; two modular three-flats with six affordable apartments; a micro-brewery with a performance space, meeting space and rooftop garden; and a new public plaza. The project also includes the restoration and repurposing of the existing historic “NEW CITY” blade sign and gateway. This combination of programs and typologies will evolve the popular corridor into a thriving neighborhood and city destination for years to come.