CHICAGO — The Community Builders (TCB), joined by Mayor Brandon Johnson, Alderman Pat Dowell, leaders from the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), Chicago Housing Authority (CHA), and other project partners, today celebrated the groundbreaking of Southbridge 1C, the latest phase in the redevelopment of the former Harold Ickes Homes. Located at 2305 S. State St. in Chicago’s South Loop neighborhood, Southbridge 1C will be a new 12-story, mixed-income residential building delivering much-needed housing and neighborhood-serving retail adjacent to transit, schools, and parks.

“Truly affordable housing is a fundamental human right and is the foundation of a thriving, equitable city,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “The need for more housing reaches every corner of our city, including the vibrant South Loop, which is why I am so proud my administration was able to support this project and the construction of affordable homes in this community. This project is intentionally designed to enhance quality of life and drive neighborhood development while exhibiting how Chicago is reimagining growth and investing in neighborhoods for the future.”

The 76,000-square-foot development will include 80 apartments and ground-floor retail space adjacent to the Cermak-McCormick Place Green Line station. The approximately $36.5 million construction project will feature a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments.  Apartments will offer in-unit laundry, quartz countertops, luxury plank flooring, and expansive views of the Chicago Loop and lakefront. The building will also provide a rooftop lounge and patio, gym, and on-site property management. Construction is expected to be completed in June 2027.

 “The groundbreaking at Southbridge 1C exemplifies our priorities of delivering affordable living in the South Loop that is near convenient transit, open space and retail amenities,” said Alderman Pat Dowel, City of Chicago, 3rd Ward. “This latest phase in the redevelopment of the former Harold Ickes Homes marks continued progress towards bringing economic development and quality mixed-income housing and retail to this community.”

When completed, the multi-phase Southbridge mega development will provide over 800 homes to a mix of incomes, both renters and home-owners.  Over 50,000 sf of ground floor commercial space will be delivered for residents and surrounding neighborhood.

“This next phase of Southbridge represents our continued commitment to creating high-quality, mixed-income housing that strengthens communities and expands opportunity,” said Will Woodley, Regional Vice President of Real Estate Development for The Community Builders. “This phase builds on a long-standing partnership with the City, CHA, and IHDA to deliver thoughtfully designed homes in a transit-rich neighborhood, ensuring residents of all incomes can live, work, and thrive in the South Loop.”

Located at the southeast corner of 23rd Street and State Street, the building will feature 1,500 square feet of retail space on the first floor alongside a resident lobby. Additional first-floor amenities will include a bike room with 80 spaces, dog wash, package room, leasing office, and back-of-house areas. Resident amenities on the 12th floor will include a fitness area and an outdoor terrace with grills and seating, along with resident storage spaces.

Designed by Gensler and built by McHugh Construction and Powers & Sons Construction, the building’s exterior will include window wall and metal panel systems, with face brick at the ground level, creating a sleek, modern design that complements the surrounding neighborhood.

“The Department of Housing is proud to have supported the development of Southbridge with a $11.9 million investment, helping expand access to affordable housing near public transit and essential services for residents of the Near South Side, while acknowledging those impacted by the demolition of former Harold Ickes public housing towers,” said Lissette Castañeda, Housing Commissioner, Chicago Department of Housing. “As we expand affordable housing options across the city, it is more important than ever that local government agencies, community stakeholders, and residents work together towards a shared goal that benefits all.”

Southbridge 1C represents the third phase of redevelopment on the former Harold Ickes Homes site and is part of a long-standing partnership between TCB and the Chicago Housing Authority, in collaboration with the City of Chicago and local stakeholders. Collectively, the Southbridge redevelopment will deliver a total of 877 mixed-income rental and for-sale homes, including townhomes, walk-ups, mid-rise, and high-rise buildings, along with approximately 65,000 square feet of commercial and community-serving spaces.

“Southbridge 1C is exactly the type of sustainable mixed-income, mixed-use community that will play a key part in both CHA and Chicago’s future “Today we stand creative, caring and committed to building and sustaining affordable housing for those in need in the City of Chicago.”

“Agencies like CHA have to evolve to meet the needs of our residents across generations and neighborhoods. It is going to take more collaboration, more innovation, more community-driven partnerships and more commitment than ever to be successful,” said Keith Pettigrew, CEO of the Chicago Housing Authority. “And Southbridge is exactly the type of sustainable mixed-income, mixed-use community that will play a key part in CHA – and Chicago’s future. So, let’s work hard together and do what we’re here to do: to be creative, caring and committed in building and sustaining affordable housing for those in need in the City of Chicago.”

Phase 1C builds on the success of Southbridge Phases 1A and 1B, two six-story buildings completed in 2021 that added 206 mixed-income apartments to the community, replacing former public housing units. Residents of Southbridge benefit from immediate access to CTA Green and Red Line stations, multiple bus routes, and convenient connections to downtown Chicago.

Southbridge 1C will include 44 affordable apartments, representing 55% of the total units. Of these, 15 homes will serve families earning up to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), while 29 units will be set aside for CHA households. The remaining 36 apartments will be leased at market rates.

“The Southbridge redevelopment shows us what affordable housing can look like in Chicago – transit-accessible, amenity-rich, and fully integrated into the surrounding community,” said Illinois Housing Development Authority Executive Director Kristin Faust. “These apartments and the 206 we have already built are the result of years of collaboration and careful planning, but we are far from finished. We look forward to continuing this work together as we create inclusive neighborhoods and new opportunities for residents throughout the city.”

The Harold Ickes site is a uniquely positioned CHA property, bordered by two major streets and situated near CTA stations, a neighborhood elementary school, a park and athletic field, and key city destinations including the Loop, Chinatown, Bronzeville, and the McCormick Place/Motor Row district. TCB’s thoughtful and bold urban design approach seeks to create a cohesive, connected neighborhood that serves the broader community while delivering high-quality housing for households across a wide range of incomes and sizes. Southbridge aims not only to revitalize the former Ickes Homes site, but also to set a new standard for mixed-income housing development in Chicago.

Construction partners for Southbridge 1C include C.E. Anderson & Associates (structural engineer); Spaceco (civil engineer); dbHMS (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineer); and McKay Landscape Architects (landscape architect).