affordable housing

Willard Square

Scattered sites in North Washington Park, Chicago, Illinois

Willard Square, competed in 1998, consists of 100 new affordable apartments in sixteen six-flats and two three-flats, on 18 scattered infill sites in North Washington Park.  The project began with the unfortunate but necessary demolition of the Frances E. Willard Elementary School (SE corner of S. St. Lawrence Ave. and 49th St.) which after having been abandoned for 17 years prior was in terrible and dangerous condition.  However, a complete H.A.S. survey, per the Department of Interior standards, was undertaken to document the building prior to demolition.  The absence of the school allowed in turn the re-dedication of the alley between S. St. Lawrence and S. Champlain as well as providing a formidable stretch of continuous vacant lots on which to build along S. St. Lawrence.  The resulting harmonious neighborhood-scape, transforming what was arguably blight into viable housing, won a 1999 Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Award for Architectural Excellence in Community Design.

Client:  Technical Assistance Corporation for Housing (T.A.C.H.)

Team:  Parkman & Weston Assoc., Ltd., associate architect; Linn-Mathes, Inc., General Contractor; Eskanazi, Farrell and Fodor, structural engineers; Creative Systems, Eng., M/E/P; 

Government Participation:  City of Chicago Department of Housing; Illinois Housing Development Authority, U.S. Dept. Of Housing and Urban Dev.

Scope:  100 units in 18 residential buildings