A planned 13-story apartment building at 1628 W. Division St. in Wicker Park is moving toward construction, according to an April 14 update from city officials, seven years after the developer first received a zoning change for the site.
The development matters because it represents a significant addition of residential units in a neighborhood where housing and affordability have been ongoing concerns. The project has also drawn attention due to its long history of delays and opposition from some neighbors concerned about its impact on the area.
The city issued a construction permit for the project last week, with developer RDM Companies also applying for a tower crane permit that is still pending. Neighbors near the property received a “30-day excavation notice” letter from an LLC managed by RDM CEO Robert Mosky, signaling that work could begin soon. Despite multiple requests, RDM did not provide comment about when construction will start, but a spokesperson for the city’s planning department confirmed that the tower is “moving toward construction.” Versions of this development have been proposed over several years, initially as a 16-story building before being revised to 13 stories.
The site sits less than one block from the Division Street Blue Line station and was rezoned in April 2019 by then-1st Ward Alderman Proco Joe Moreno despite objections from some local groups who raised concerns about height and congestion. In 2020, current Alderman Daniel La Spata attempted to downzone the property to limit its size but was unsuccessful; instead, four years later he sponsored legislation designating it as a “low affordability community,” which can help developers access tax breaks if they include affordable housing units.
Some residents remain opposed to aspects of the plan. Brian Szanny, president of the homeowners association at Alcove—a neighboring condo building—said his building would be overshadowed and privacy compromised if constructed as planned. “Having more residential property in the neighborhood is great…but just not in the format that it’s being done,” Szanny said.
Neighbors recently petitioned for rezoning back to previous status after what they believe was an expired deadline for starting construction following an extension granted last year. However, Peter Strazzabosco from city planning said this argument does not apply since permits are actively being processed: “A sunset provision is a zoning change that requires formal City Council action. There is no pending map amendment for this location.” Nicholas Zettel, chief of staff for La Spata’s office, said there is no legal way currently available to downzone without exposing Chicago to liability: “It turned out the downzone ordinance wasn’t the best way… And the low affordability ordinance was a really beneficial thing.”
Excavation work may begin within weeks following required notice periods while neighbors consider their next steps.
