Southbridge Development Gets Permits to Start Construction at Former Harold Ickes Homes Site

Another big, but slow moving development appears ready to start moving (via Curbed):

After five years of planning, the redevelopment of the demolished Harold L. Ickes Homes public housing complex is preparing to begin construction on the Near South Side. Known as Southbridge, the sprawling project will bring hundreds of new mixed-income homes to a vacant 13-acre parcel at the intersection of Chicago’s South Loop, Chinatown, Bronzeville, and Bridgeport neighborhoods.

The development’s first phase, which comprises a pair of six-story rental buildings slated for 2310 and 2344 S. State Street, landed permits this week. The duo will feature a combined 206 rental apartments with 68 units reserved for Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) households, 28 offered at an affordable rate, and 112 at market-rate.

Designed by architect of record Nia Architects and design architect Antunovich Associates, phase one will include residential amenities such as a fitness center and rooftop lounge. There will also be 2,000 square feet of ground-floor community space including classrooms, a demonstration kitchen, and event spaces.

While this area of the South Loop has been relatively stagnant, it's natural to assume this area is ripe for development.  To the east the Motor Row area has substantial momentum (although still has a ways to go) and to the west Chinatown continues to expand.  So it seems natural that this area of the South Loop will be a good bridge.

Anyone have thoughts on this news?