Rob Buono of Henry Street Partners — the developer behind Logan Square’s "twin tower" MiCa apartments — met with the Pulaski Park Neighborhood Association last night to present preliminary plans for a new 12-story, 34-unit condominium building to replace the Fifth Third bank drive-through and parking lot at 1220 N. Bosworth. Designed by Chicago-based Wheeler Kearns Architects, the development would consist primarily of "competitively priced" two- and three-bedroom units ranging from 2,400 to 3,400 square feet in size.

Though still being refined, the design puts the bulk of the development on a diagonal orientation pushed to the far south side of the 32,000-square-foot site. This layout references the angle of Milwaukee Avenue and the Polish Triangle plaza and also creates maximum separation between the tower and the neighboring single family homes on Bosworth. Additionally, the solution hopes to minimize the impact of shadows cast by the development as much of the towers shade would fall over its wide, low-slung parking garage and green roof.

Despite its proximity to the Division Blue Line stop, this project will not be a Transit Oriented Development (TOD). The proposed building’s 34 condominium units would be served by 52 deeded parking spaces in addition to twelve separate spots reserved exclusively for use by the neighboring bank. Much like what was proposed for Logan’s MiCa project, Buono hopes to plant ivy to create a living wall along the otherwise blank side of the ground floor garage. With vehicular access taking place off of the alleyway, all current curb-cuts along Bosworth will be removed.

Zoned B3-2, the site would currently allows just a 50-foot, 31-unit development as-of-right. Therefore, the development team will be seeking a Type I R6.5 zoning change from Alderman Brian Hopkins in order to build what was proposed. Hopkins, who was not in attendance at last night’s informal meeting, will likely meet with Buono and company privately before setting a date for a more official public presentation. While very much dependent on the city approval process, the developer hopes to see the project completed by mid 2018.

As part of a related, but separate project, Henry Street Partners plan to also purchase the Fifth Third Bank building at 1209 N. Milwaukee Avenue. The ground floor space would be renovated for Fifth Third who plan to stay on the premises. A later phase of the project would see the building’s somewhat awkward exterior frontage and signage along Milwaukee also upgraded.