A new five-story affordable housing development is set to open by spring 2027 at the intersection of 63rd and Western in West Englewood, replacing a dilapidated building with modern apartments, according to an April 14 announcement from local leaders.
The $22.5 million project aims to address a lack of major investment in the area for over two decades. Local officials say the new development will bring much-needed housing and commercial space to a neighborhood that has faced long-term disinvestment.
The Southwest Side Organizing Project and Brinshore Development are leading the project, which will include 44 one- and two-bedroom apartments, along with amenities such as a fitness room, community room with kitchen, and 2,500 square feet of commercial space. One room will be dedicated to Ella French, a police officer who was fatally shot during a traffic stop in West Englewood in 2021. Toro Construction is serving as general contractor.
“Investment means more families coming,” said Ald. Stephanie Coleman (16th), whose ward includes the site. “It means more retail. It means the 63rd Street that we grew up to know, and attracting those businesses to come. We need the investment right here in a community that has not seen major development in 20-plus years.” David Brint, co-founder of Brinshore Development, said it took four years just to find the owner of the property before spending nearly a decade securing financing for redevelopment after it was vacated and boarded up in 2016.
The project received support from The Richman Group, BMO Bank and Local Initiatives Support Corp., as well as Low-Income Housing Tax Credits from the Illinois Housing Authority awarded in 2024. Its location at the intersection of two neighborhoods makes it an “access point” between West Englewood and Chicago Lawn.
“Now we’re going to see a vital, active corner at the intersection of 63rd and Western… we’re really proud to be associated with that change,” Brint said.
Carlil Pittman, founder of GoodKids MadCity and lifelong resident of West Englewood, described how community organizing played an essential role: “But what we always knew then and what we know now is that our community has power because we are organized.” Pittman added: “This work is not just about housing development… It’s about transformation rooted in commitment to shared dignity, stability, racial equity and building generational wealth.” Luis Vazquez from Toro Construction highlighted local hiring efforts for construction: “We’re building for every generation… where investment [and] opportunity are coming back into our neighborhoods.”
