Chicago Construction News staff writer
Habitat, a leading multifamily developer and property manager, has announced the full lease-up of OC Living Phase I, the first residential building in the $200 million Ogden Commons mixed-use, mixed-income development in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood. Located at 1325 S. Washtenaw Ave., the building includes 92 apartments, with 90% designated as affordable housing, including 37 Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) units.
McHugh Construction serves as the general contractor for OC Living Phases I and II, with Solomon Cordwell Buenz (SCB) as the project’s design architect.
At the same time, Habitat has closed financing and secured a 75-year ground lease for OC Living Phase II, a $38 million residential project at 1312 S. Talman Ave.. Scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2026, the 75-unit development will feature 76% affordable apartments, including 30 CHA-designated residences.
“Fully leasing Phase I and launching Phase II are major milestones for Ogden Commons and reflect Habitat’s commitment to providing high-quality, affordable housing for Chicago families,” said Matt Fiascone, president of Habitat. “This project continues the vision of our late founder, Daniel Levin, who was dedicated to building vibrant, inclusive communities.”
Phase II will include 10 studios, 52 one-bedroom, 10 two-bedroom, and three three-bedroom apartments. Residents will have access to:
- Outdoor amenities – A tot lot, bike racks, a lighted walking path, and landscaped green space.
- Indoor amenities – A resident lounge, fitness center, bike storage, package room, and on-site laundry.
- Modern apartment features – Open floor plans, walk-in closets, energy-efficient appliances, and Wi-Fi-ready units.
- Ogden Commons, a 45,000-square-foot mixed-use development, also includes healthcare services, retail, and dining. The first commercial phase, completed in 2021, houses Sinai Chicago’s One Lawndale Community Care and Surgery Center, Wintrust Bank, La Catedral Cafe & Restaurant, and Momentum Coffee.
- Public-Private Partnership Driving Development
- Habitat is developing Ogden Commons with Sinai Chicago and the city of Chicago, with financial support from:
- City of Chicago – $9 million in TIF funding.
- CHA – A development capital loan, rental subsidies, and land contribution.
- IHDA & CLIHTF – Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and rental subsidies.
- Bank of America & LISC – Additional financing.
“At a time when many new projects struggle to break ground, OC Living Phase II is moving forward thanks to strong public-private partnerships,” said Dave Mevis, vice president of community development at Habitat. “The success of Phase I exceeded expectations, and we look forward to building on that momentum.”
A third phase of OC Living, planned for 2026-2027, will include townhomes and multi-flat units designed for families. Once complete, Ogden Commons will feature 350-plus mixed-income housing units and 120,000 sq. ft. of commercial space.
