More than $683 million in construction is in the works after the city awarded building permits to these 10 developments in September.
The list of most expensive projects cleared to proceed is lead by the $300 million office tower at 110 North Wacker Drive from Howard Hughes Corporation and Riverside Investment & Development.
Half of the top 10 building permits are for projects in downtown neighborhoods, though every part of the city is included on the list. A Rogers Park residential complex, a Near West Side industrial center and a South Side high school also made the list, according to a review of city records by The Real Deal.
110 North Wacker Drive | $300 million
Riverside Investment & Development and Howard Hughes received the final go-ahead for their planned office tower on Wacker. The $300 million project will be anchored by Bank of America, which inked a 500,000-foot square lease. Though the permit calls for a 54-story building, the developers have filed a zoning amendment to increase the height to 56 stories.
2. Tribune Tower | | $150 million
The city gave CIM Group and Golub & Company the OK to start the first phase of their massive overhaul of the historic Tribune Tower property. Plans for the landmark building at 435 North Michigan Avenue call for converting it into 163 condominiums and 47,500 square feet of retail space, with a $150 million price tag.
3. 2124 West Lake Street | $91 million
Peppercorn Capital plans to build a two-story spec industrial facility on the Near West Side. Peppercorn owner Phil Denny told TRD his vision for the property would be to create a home for several microbreweries under one roof.
4. 6835 South Normal Boulevard | $48.9 million
Chicago Public Schools is building the new Englewood High School at 6835 South Normal Boulevard, the site of the existing campus of Robeson High School, one of four area schools that were recently shuttered. The architect for the three-story school is Moody Nolan and the contractor is UJAMAA Construction.
5. 730 North Milwaukee Avenue | $30 million
Tandem Partners has received the full building permit for its planned 23-story mixed-use project in River West. The project at 730 North Milwaukee Avenue is set to include 446 apartments, office space and 2,300 square feet of ground-floor retail. In July, the Chicago firm received a permit to begin foundation work at the site.
6. 333 South Wabash Avenue | $14 million
The John Buck Company received the green light to renovate the office building at 333 South Wabash Avenue. Renovations are to include a third-floor amenity suite including a fitness center, lounge and auditorium.
7. 1767 West Estes Avenue | $13.3 million
Developer Douglas Ross of Ross Real Estate Services is planning to build a four-story, 54-unit affordable apartment unit on the vacant property at 1767 West Estes Avenue in Rogers Park. The first floor of the development is expected to house 3,300 square feet of retail space for up to three businesses.
8. Willis Tower | $12 million
The Blackstone-owned skyscraper at 233 South Wacker Drive is undergoing extensive renovations, and the building permit issued in September allows for the renovation of six upper floors of office space. Blackstone is in the midst of a $668 million renovation of the iconic building, including a new food hall and an overhaul of the 103rd-floor observation deck.
9. 60 East Van Buren Street | $12 million
The office building that is home to the Chicago Housing Authority and the local headquarters of architectural firm HOK is slated to receive a $12 million renovation of the building’s lobby and floors seven through 13.
10. 6253 South Michigan Avenue | $11.7 million
The St. Edmunds Village senior apartments complex will receive a $11.76 million upgrade to its common areas and its accessible-living units, according to the building permit issued Friday.