CMK Grabs Permit to Launch 28-Story South Loop High-Rise

A planned South Loop high-rise is all but ready for shovels to break ground. The CMK Companies’ planned mixed-use development at 910 South Wells just snagged its piles permit, and work on the foundation can commence.

CMK already received site plan approval last November, according to Urbanize Chicago. Gensler is heading up the design for the 28-story building, which will feature 3,300 square feet of space for retail and 350 residential units. Plans also include ample parking space, an outdoor amenity space for residents and a riverwalk view. The building will be connected to the riverwalk using a pedestrian path. Construction timelines for 910 South Wells Street have not been formally released yet.

The building, called Riverline Parcel F Building B, is a small part of CMK’s truncated Riverline vision. Riverline encompasses eight acres and is the result of a $2 billion master plan that was carved in half when a partnership with Lendlease ended in 2018. Originally, CMK and Lendlease partnered up on a bigger, 15-acre community. The land was split, and CMK took the southern eight acres of the wider development, as well as the Riverline branding. Lendlease has completed the Cooper and Reed residential towers in its northern seven acres.

CMK recently acquired an $83 million construction loan from Wintrust Bank to begin work on the first phase of Riverline, specifically on the 388-unit apartment building at 1010 South Wells Street. 1010 South Wells is already under construction, and CMK is utilizing general contractor Brandt’s Build at both sites.

CMK is one of the South Loop’s most loyal developers. Within Chicago city limits, the only major apartment building to open in 2025 was their 149-unit developer at 1717 South Michigan Avenue. Even as construction costs and interest rates remain high across the city, CMK appears dedicated to seeing their portion of the original Riverline vision through.

— Hunter Cooke