Fifield’s scaled-back condo tower still rankles neighbors

Developer eliminated 137 units and 14 stories from controversial Near North Side project

125 W. Maple Street; the Gold Coast Galleria at 111 W. Maple St. in Chicago (Credit:: Google Maps)
125 W. Maple Street; the Gold Coast Galleria at 111 W. Maple St. in Chicago (Credit:: Google Maps)

Fifield Companies will chop 14 stories and 137 units off its proposed condominium tower on the Near North Side following complaints from the neighboring condo building.

The developer’s new plan calls for a 29-story tower instead of the 43-story building at 125 West Maple Street, Block Club reported. The new project makes it shorter than the Gold Coast Galleria condo building next door, at 111 West Maple Street.

But that has not appeased Galleria condo owners, who had wanted the Fifield project set back 60 to 80 feet from their building, according to the report. That did not happen, and the setback remains at just 20 feet.

Sign Up for the undefined Newsletter

Fifield’s revised proposal eliminates a third of its condo units and half the parking spaces, leaving 269 residences and 98 parking spots, according to the report. The developer said it would also curve the north and south ends of the tower to allow for more sunlight and airflow.

Also, the size of a community building Fifield proposed between the towers has also been scaled back, from 12 stories to 7 stories. But it still plans to buy air rights from the adjacent Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, the report said.

Referring to the Galleria condo owners, a Fifield spokesman said: “As views are not considered when determining zoning approvals, this small group seeks to play by different rules than the rest of the city of Chicago.” [Block Club]Orion Jones