4-Feb-22 – The owner of the building formerly known as Merchandise Mart is working on a 26-story 228-unit residential tower proposed for Kinzie Street just west of the north branch of the Chicago River.

527 West Kinzie would replace a surface parking lot at the southwest corner of Kinzie & Canal, across the river from theMart and near the site of Chicago’s first railroad station.

The size of the proposed building is well within zoning limits, so approval by the city is not required. However, the developer, Vornado Realty Trust, has been working with 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly on design changes intended to make it safer for vehicles and pedestrians.

(Left) Looking south at the proposed site from Kinzie & Canal.

Changes include limiting vehicle access to the building to a single curb cut on Canal, moving the building back and angled slightly away from the intersection, and widening the sidewalk along Canal and around the northeast corner of the building. A drive-through area within the building will accommodate all loading and unloading.

Vornado says the changes will improve site lines for vehicles turning onto Kinzie from Canal.

A 33-story building is planned for 344 North Canal Street, the former Cassidy Tire location to the south of 527 West Kinzie. The Habitat Company received approval for the building in June 2020 but, according to Reilly, has not yet applied for construction permits.