Cabrini Green was a public housing project developed on the Near North Side of Chicago, but the neighborhood fell victim to poverty and crime. After years of neglect and vacancy, plans to remake Cabrini Green are starting to move forward with announcements of multiple new developments. 

Parkside of Old Town

Rendering courtesy of SOM

Last year, the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) approved a loan for the final phase of the Parkside of Old Town project in Cabrini Green, according to Curbed Chicago. This development will add a total of 190 housing units. The residential elements break down to 54 CHA units, 92 market-rate units, and 44 affordable rate units, according to the report. Of the new units, 88 will be townhomes.

Parkside of Old Town is an L-shaped development located along Division and Larrabee streets. The project is being spearheaded by Holsten Real Estate and the Local Advisory Council of Cabrini. 

Mixed-Use Development at Clybourn Avenue and Larrabee Street

Rendering courtesy of Gensler

A vacant lot at Clybourn Avenue and Larrabee Street in Cabrini Green is also poised for new development. The 10-acre site will become home to a high-rise and mid-rises with mixed-income units and plenty of open space, according to Curbed Chicago. A 21-story high-rise, along with a number of mid-rise buildings, will feature a total of 217 market-rate units, 138 CHA units, and 82 affordable housing units, according to the report. 

In addition to the project’s residential elements, the development at Clybourn and Larrabee will feature 36,000 square feet of retail space and a number of small parks, according to the report. Gensler Chicago is leading the development, and construction could begin this year. 

Residential Development at Oak Street and Larrabee Street

Rendering courtesy of Brinshore Development

Brinshore Development, in partnership with CHA, is leading another residential development in Cabrini Green. This project, set to rise on the corner of Oak Street and Larrabee Street, will feature an apartment building and 18 townhomes, according to Curbed Chicago. The project is expected to cost $33.5 million, according to the report. Completion of the development is expected by 2020.

While these projects are moving forward, there have been some new development setbacks in Cabrini Green. A seven-acre site at the corner of Halsted Street and Division Street was slated for a mixed-use project led by Holabird & Root, but CHA has postponed those plans, according to Curbed Chicago. The suspended project envisioned 436 residential units and retail space, according to the report. The CHA has yet to set a timeline for a return to this project.

Although one project has been sidetracked, the multi-acre, mixed-use developments moving forward in Cabrini Green could mean a new chapter for the neighborhood.