$18 Million Mixed-Use Complex Selected for 63rd and Ashland in West Englewood

A pair of 18-unit apartment buildings will replace vacant City land adjacent to the CTA's 63rd/Ashland Green Line station in West Englewood, Department of Planning and Development (DPD) Commissioner Ciere Boatright announced today.

The $18 million E.G. Woode L3C project is planned for a .4-acre site at 1515-19 W. 63rd St. and a .5-acre site at 1607-19 W. 63rd St. Each building will contain approximately 4,400 square feet of retail space and parking for 20 bicycles.

"The project will provide what 63rd and Ashland needs, and that's people: 36 households that will use the train station, patronize local businesses and contribute to community vitality and cohesion," Commissioner Boatright said. "These two buildings represent a major step forward for an intersection and transit station that's been beset by vacant land for far too long."

The site at 1515-19 W. 63rd includes a vacant lot that the City acquired from the 2025 Hilco auction and two adjacent lots acquired in 1996 and 1997. The site at 1607-19 W. 63rd St. includes two lots the City acquired in 2005. Collectively valued at $100,600, the two sites would be sold for $1 per lot.

The developer plans to apply for up to $5 million in Community Development Grant funding to support project construction costs. The land sale and grant are both subject to City Council approval.

The RFP was issued in October 2025 with a preference for transit-oriented proposals that provide mixed-income housing and space for neighborhood retailers.

Led by developer Deon Lucas, the E.G. Wood L3C proposal was selected based on the development concept and feasibility, as well as the team's financial capacity and relevant experience, among other factors. The project team includes Wrought Iron Partners and architects Beehyyve L3C and Alligood Song.

The Hilco auction included hundreds of properties owned by sisters Suzie B. Wilson and Swedlana Dass that were sold through a court-ordered settlement to resolve millions of dollars in unpaid City violations. Two other Hilco acquisitions by the City are part of current and pending DPD RFPs for TOD proposals near the CTA's planned Red Line Extension train stations at 103rd and 111th streets.

More information about DPD RFPs is available at Chicago.gov/RFPs.