LBBA Architects

Plan Commission approves affordable development at 5853 N. Broadway Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation | LBBA Architects

As part of Chicago Rehab Network's Community Empowerment Workshop Series, we toured 927 W Wilson Ave, a historic 41-unit affordable housing building currently under renovation. This property is one of five Heart of Uptown Apartment buildings (103 total units) that we are working to preserve alongside our partners POAH and Voice of the People in Uptown. The tour highlighted project and construction management with an emphasis on effective collaboration. The Heart of Uptown Apartment project exemplifies successful partnerships between diverse groups with different expertise, experiences, and perspectives. We were proud to participate in this award-winning program that empowers individuals committed to strengthening communities through thoughtful housing development. Thank you to our longtime friends and partners at Chicago Rehab Network, Angela Hurlock and Kevin Jackson, for inviting us to participate, as well as Kathleen Day from Preservation of Affordable Housing and our general contractor for the project, Skender, for sharing your expertise.

We're thrilled to announce the grand opening of The Anchor at Mariners Inn, an 84-unit, mixed-use facility for community members battling substance use disorder and homelessness. This transformative project doubles Mariners Inn's capacity and, for the first time in its nearly 100-year history, welcomes women into its programs. The facility provides 40 fully furnished apartments for individuals undergoing substance use disorder treatment and offers 44 permanent supportive housing units for those transitioning from homelessness in the thriving Cass Park neighborhood just north of Detroit’s city center. A heartfelt congratulations to our wonderful clients, Mariners Inn and Cinnaire, current and future residents, the general contractor, O'Brien Construction, all the dedicated consultants, Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), and the City and State leaders whose support made this crucial development possible.

Wonderful news! The National Public Housing Museum has announced their official opening weekend. Doors open April 4-6 with a busy schedule of free talks, workshops, and receptions, along with access to inaugural exhibits and installations. Many years in the making, the new LBBA Architects-designed museum, which has few parallels anywhere, is destined to be a great addition to the city's cultural landscape. We look forward to partnering with NPHM as it works to tell the story of public housing and its legacy and future in Chicago and beyond. #NPHM #PublicHousing #Housing #Chicago #JaneAddamsHomes

Construction continues at Westhaven Park Station, a 12-story, 96-unit mixed-income development on Chicago's Near West Side. The building will offer one- and two-bedroom apartments with modern finishes like quartz countertops, luxury vinyl flooring, and stainless steel appliances. Residents will also enjoy amenities including a fitness center, community room, and rooftop terrace.? The residence marks the final phase of redevelopment of the former Henry Horner Homes complex and satisfies the requirement to replace all affordable units that were lost when the Homes were demolished.? Learn more about the development here: https://buff.ly/BRFQZLa Joint Venture Partner:?Ashlaur Construction Inc. ? Developers: Brinshore Development, LLC and The Michaels Organization Architect:?LBBA Architects #MCCMidwest #MCCBuilds #ConstructionUpdate #AffordableHousing #ChicagoIL

Just wrapped up our first office donation drive of the year for Nourishing Hope! This time around, we gathered hygienic products because these essential items are often in high demand when program budgets are limited. Everything collected will support vulnerable Chicagoans through Nourishing Hope's citywide network, including La Casa Norte & Lakeview Food Pantry. We hope that our team's donations make a difference for those who need them most!

We recently had the privilege of hosting students from the My Block, My Hood, My City Explorer Program! During the visit, we discussed pathways into architecture as a career and the critical need for diverse voices and perspectives. The session ended with two fun activities, drawing 30-second sketches and playing Thing from the Future, which both teach useful visual and verbal communication skills. As always, we had a great time hosting this enthusiastic group and can't wait for the next visit!

We're thrilled to announce two well-earned promotions within our team: Jennifer Stanovich, AIA, has been promoted to Associate, and Katie Taylor, Assoc. AIA, has advanced to Project Designer. Jennifer has been an integral part of LBBA for over four years, where she has helped lead major affordable housing initiatives such as the multi-phase, 43 Green development in Bronzeville. Currently, she's bringing her expertise to SACRED Apartments, an affordable 81-unit family development in South Chicago and an adaptive reuse project that will convert an existing market-rate, micro-unit building into a transitional shelter for youth confronting homelessness with a ground-floor community center operated by La Casa Norte. Katie, who joined us over two and a half years ago, brings expertise in historic preservation. She's currently applying her skills to two rehabilitation projects: The Heart of Uptown Apartments Project (HUPA), which encompasses five buildings in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood, and a 24-unit supportive housing development in Rogers Park. The Rogers Park project, which Jennifer is also working on, will be operated by the non-profit organization Housing Opportunities for Women (HOW). Both Jennifer and Katie have enriched LBBA with their expertise and innovative perspectives, strengthening our mission to create sustainable and equitable spaces for our communities.

The National Public Housing Museum is taking shape in Chicago's last remaining building from the historic Jane Addams Homes. During a recent snowy visit, Principals Terran Wilson and Tyler Brown guided the team on a tour of this highly anticipated museum, which represents the culmination of years of work by community members, designers, and artists. The museum will preserve a crucial chapter of our nation's history by sharing the perspectives of public housing residents and others who were at the heart of this story. Through exhibits and programming, it aims to foster meaningful study and conversation about public housing in America. Once complete, the building will not only house the museum but will also include 15 affordable housing units, making it a living testament to its historical purpose. #housingisahumaright

Last weekend, Jack Schroeder attended a screening of "A Letter To The West Side" in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Directed by Kameron Donald of Breyko and produced in partnership with Ann Arbor Housing Commission (AAHC), this powerful documentary celebrates the West Side — a historically Black community that has played a vital role in shaping the city's identity. Our upcoming Dunbar Tower development, featuring 63 affordable housing units, will honor this rich heritage through public art installations and a dedicated community space. This new gathering place aims to recapture some of what was lost when the original Dunbar community center closed its doors years ago. Thank you to our amazing development partners, Avalon Housing and AAHC, O’Neal Construction, and the consultants! Don't miss the next screening of "A Letter to the West Side" on February 26 at the Michigan Theater. Reserve your tickets here: https://lnkd.in/ginpZkju