Transit-oriented developments (TODs) are all the rage right now, particularly in parts of the city that are booming with commuters due to their proximity to public transportation. Logan Square happens to be close to many train stations, including the California, Western and Kedzie Blue Line stops. Although TODs aren’t a new concept to the US, they are fairly new to Chicago, and commuters couldn’t be happier to have them. For the hip city dweller who has been eyeing Logan Square as their future home, here are 3 transit-oriented developments in the neighborhood you should check out.
The ‘L’ Building
2211 N. Milwaukee Avenue
This six-story luxury development sits shiny and new at the corner of Milwaukee and Talman, offering a mix of junior one-bedroom, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom units. The cool thing about this complex? Besides the shabby-chic repurposed ‘L’ car planted on their amenity deck, is that you can either rent by unit or rent by bedroom via a coliving arrangement. The latter is being offered for the three-bedroom units, costing approximately $1,200 per person and the common areas even come fully furnished (sectional couch, coffee table, TV, pots and pans and cutlery). The catch with coliving? The units are co-ed and you the tenant have no say in who your roommates will be as the the selection process is done by property management. Also, you can’t bring your furry little friends with you. However, there are many positives to this arrangement. Each person has their own lease with utilities factored in, meaning if one person in your unit fails to make rent, they don’t take you down with them. And if you happen to be the only person occupying a three-bedroom unit upon moving, you will still only be billed for your ⅓ portion. For people that often commute either to work or school, a coliving situation is definitely something to look into.
Restaurants, bars and venues walking distance of the ‘L’ Building include: Logan Square favorite Revolution Brewing, The Corner Bar, Floyd’s Pub, Irazu serving up Costa Rican fare, 90 Miles Cuban Cafe, Argentinian fare at El Nandu Restaurant, Taqueria Los Comales #11 and Concord Music Hall.
For more information, visit, LoganSquarel
MiCA
2733 W. Belden Avenue & 2210 N. Washtenaw Avenue
Completed in 2016 and aptly named for their location, MiCA consists of two triangular towers at the corners of Milwaukee and California (there is a public plaza that connects the two buildings) with 216-units starting at almost $1,500 for convertible apartments. I know, that’s a heck of price to pay for a studio apartment but if you want to live in one of the hottest neighborhoods in Chicago and one of the newest buildings, you’ve got to have the cash. On the plus side, it’s also just steps from the California Blue Line and from a strip of bustling new restaurants and bars for a lively night life. The units are spacious and boast high ceilings, generous bedroom closets, large floor-to-ceiling windows, stainless steel appliances, in-unit washer and dryer, quartz countertops, track lighting, interior thermostats with heating and cooling on demand year-round, acoustically conditioned demising walls (so that amateur guitarist neighbor won’t be an issue at 2 in the morning) and more. And yes, you can bring your cat with you. And dog, they’re cool with that too as 2 pets are allowed per unit.
Because of their proximity to one another, many of the restaurants, bars, and hotspots walking distance of MiCA are the same as the ones for the ‘L’ Building. However, being closer to Palmer Square and the intersections of Milwaukee and California, this development is ideal for people who are interested in an active night life. MiCA is walking distance of Marcello’s Father and Son Restaurant, Logan Bar & Grill, Cafe Mustache, Slippery Slope, the East Room, Emporium Logan Square, The Radler and Gaslight Coffee Roasters.
For more information, visit, LiveMica
MODE Logan Square
1950 N. Campbell Avenue
Located close to the Western Blue Line, MODE prides itself on providing a boutique living experience and creating an oasis between work and play. MODE units—like those of MiCA and the ‘L’ Building—are classy and pristine, featuring some of the most refined apartments in the city. The cat and dog friendly units have many of the same amenities as the two TOD buildings mentioned above, but the building features just might be the thing that sets it apart. The 78-unit development has a fitness center, indoor garage parking, complimentary coffee service (GASP, where do I sign up), bike room with tune-up and repair station, dog washing station, courtyard with grilling areas (which has been landscaped to give it a park-like feel), a resident lounge with HD TVs where you can relax and get to know your neighbors and more. With MODE’s boutique feel and luxurious appearance you can expect to pay about $1,600 for a studio apartment, prices that are not unlike what you would find in newer downtown high-rises.
With an incredible walkscore of 94, commuters are sure to be in heaven. Places near MODE include 90 Miles Cuban Cafe, Irazu, Japanese fare and sushi at Wasabi, Margie’s Candies, Concord Music Hall and Gorilla Tango Theatre not too far off, Green Eye Lounge and Floyd’s Pub.
For more information, visit, ModeLoganSquare
Upcoming transit-oriented developments
As the demand for commuter-friendly rentals rise, more TODs are being planned throughout the city. A large vacant lot at 975 W. Wilson Avenue in Uptown (previously pursued by Cedar Street Cos.) might get a makeover by Clayco, who has proposed an eight-story, 147-unit TOD. A nine-story development at 710 W. Grand is in the works, looking to add 104 units just steps away from the Grand and Halsted Blue Line as well as many bus stops. The project will also feature 45 parking spots. Last, but most certainly not least, Chicago’s first affordable housing TOD is coming to Logan Square in the form of an 88-unit building that is also being marketed as LGBTQ-friendly to be built at 2033 N. Milwaukee.
