Skender was broken ground on Fifth City Commons, a new affordable housing complex in the West Side of Chicago. 2019 saw the C40 Reinventing Cities competition pick Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) to develop the land at 3155 West 5th Ave. For East Garfield Park households making between 30 and 80% of the area median income level, plans call for the development of a new, three-story structure with 43 one-, two-, and three-bedroom rental units.
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The entirely electric project includes energy-saving elements like rooftop solar panels and triple-pane windows. Additional features include on-site composting facilities, EV charging stations, bicycle parking, and landscaping.
Features at the Fifth City Commons
The complex will be entirely electrified and incorporate Passive House-compliant sustainable elements. This includes triple-pane windows and air sealing to reduce the building’s energy requirements. Furthermore, solar panels installed on rooftops will meet two thirds of the city’s electricity requirements. Along with abundant bicycle parking, EV charging stations, and mature landscaping, the property will also offer on-site composting.
Fifth City Commons, which will give residents access to community rooms, a fitness facility, an outdoor terrace. Additionally, three laundry rooms, is being designed by Perkins & Will and Nia Architects.
“Fifth City Commons and the City of Chicago, with its commitment to and investment in sustainable affordable housing, transportation, and energy-efficiency, will demonstrate the impact cities and the built environment can have on climate change,” stated Mayor Johnson during the event. “More than a century after Chicago demonstrated to the rest of the world how to plan and construct skyscrapers, we are now ready to take the lead in the creation of sustainable, affordable housing. I could not be more thrilled in my capacity as mayor and a West Sider.
