Seeking to curb the deconversion of multi-unit buildings into single-family homes, the Northwest Side Housing Preservation Ordinance was approved by the Chicago City Council in December 2024. Currently under construction in 2025, this 3-unit remodel & modest addition will double the number of existing bathrooms and increase bedroom count by 30%.
A legal 3 flat with no front door
The street facing brick balcony & terrace were dilapidated, as were the wood framed balcony & terrace at rear.
Introducing a new, street-facing entry that provides access to a new, code compliant common stair for all units was primary driver of the project.
Brick flats with side entries are not uncommon in Chicago and can be charming when sharing a gangway with an adjacent building. In this instance, the existing building entries abutted a municipal alley, protected from traffic by a standard guardrail. New bedrooms (and bedroom window openings) now occur where the primary (side) entry once provided access to a winder stair.
