A Chicago Developer Unveils Plans to Revitalize a Century-Old Synagogue into a Vibrant Mixed-Use Project with Housing, Retail, and Community Spaces.
The Emanuel Congregation synagogue, built in 1954, is set to undergo a significant transformation as Fern Hill, a Chicago developer, partners with the congregation to create a larger complex that will include housing, commercial spaces, and community facilities. According to Andrew Degenholtz, co-president of Emanuel Congregation's executive committee, the project aims to breathe new life into the aging synagogue while maintaining its historic integrity.
The proposed 12-story U-shaped building will serve as the main structure for the complex, with a total of 400 apartments spread across two buildings. The shorter building on the west side of Sheridan Road will feature five stories and include apartments, event spaces, and classrooms. Fern Hill's founder and president, Nick Anderson, emphasizes that the project is designed to be the least dense in comparison to surrounding properties along Sheridan Road.
The apartment units are expected to range from studios to two-bedrooms and will include 80 affordable units under the city's Affordable Requirements Ordinance. This means that the units will be available for those earning an average of 60% of the area median income, with a family of four needing an annual income of $71,940.
Retail space will be located below the synagogue, offering stunning views of Lake Michigan and providing an opportunity for businesses to establish themselves in a unique and sought-after location. According to Matt Wylie, principal at Eckenhoff Saunders, the retail tenant could be a cafe or any other function that complements the synagogue's activities while also benefiting from the expansive lakefront views.
The new design features a circular motor court for pickup and drop-offs, addressing concerns about traffic flow on Sheridan Road. The chapel and sanctuary spaces will be located within the 12-story tower, along with social halls and offices for the congregation.
Fern Hill is committed to an iterative process, aiming to gather feedback from Emanuel Congregation members and the wider community before finalizing the design. They have already submitted a zoning change request to Alderman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (48th) and plan to hold a community meeting in February to discuss the proposal.
The phased construction approach is expected to begin with the shorter building on the west side of Sheridan Road, which will take at least 12 months to complete. If the 12-story design is approved, it could take up to 15 months to finish.
As the city's oldest synagogue stands poised for a new chapter in its history, the Emanuel Congregation community is invited to share their thoughts and ideas on this groundbreaking project that promises to bring vibrant energy and diversity to one of Chicago's most beloved neighborhoods.
The Emanuel Congregation synagogue, built in 1954, is set to undergo a significant transformation as Fern Hill, a Chicago developer, partners with the congregation to create a larger complex that will include housing, commercial spaces, and community facilities. According to Andrew Degenholtz, co-president of Emanuel Congregation's executive committee, the project aims to breathe new life into the aging synagogue while maintaining its historic integrity.
The proposed 12-story U-shaped building will serve as the main structure for the complex, with a total of 400 apartments spread across two buildings. The shorter building on the west side of Sheridan Road will feature five stories and include apartments, event spaces, and classrooms. Fern Hill's founder and president, Nick Anderson, emphasizes that the project is designed to be the least dense in comparison to surrounding properties along Sheridan Road.
The apartment units are expected to range from studios to two-bedrooms and will include 80 affordable units under the city's Affordable Requirements Ordinance. This means that the units will be available for those earning an average of 60% of the area median income, with a family of four needing an annual income of $71,940.
Retail space will be located below the synagogue, offering stunning views of Lake Michigan and providing an opportunity for businesses to establish themselves in a unique and sought-after location. According to Matt Wylie, principal at Eckenhoff Saunders, the retail tenant could be a cafe or any other function that complements the synagogue's activities while also benefiting from the expansive lakefront views.
The new design features a circular motor court for pickup and drop-offs, addressing concerns about traffic flow on Sheridan Road. The chapel and sanctuary spaces will be located within the 12-story tower, along with social halls and offices for the congregation.
Fern Hill is committed to an iterative process, aiming to gather feedback from Emanuel Congregation members and the wider community before finalizing the design. They have already submitted a zoning change request to Alderman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (48th) and plan to hold a community meeting in February to discuss the proposal.
The phased construction approach is expected to begin with the shorter building on the west side of Sheridan Road, which will take at least 12 months to complete. If the 12-story design is approved, it could take up to 15 months to finish.
As the city's oldest synagogue stands poised for a new chapter in its history, the Emanuel Congregation community is invited to share their thoughts and ideas on this groundbreaking project that promises to bring vibrant energy and diversity to one of Chicago's most beloved neighborhoods.
I think it's so cool that Fern Hill is reviving the Emanuel Congregation synagogue into a thriving mixed-use complex. The idea of having affordable housing options with units available for those earning 60% of the area median income is 
amazing! It's a great way to make the building more inclusive and accessible to the community. I also love that they're incorporating retail space with stunning views of Lake Michigan - it'll definitely bring some life to the neighborhood. Let's hope the community meeting in February goes smoothly and everyone gets to share their thoughts on this awesome project 
. It's a great way to breathe new life into an aging building while still respecting its history and cultural significance. The fact that 80 affordable units will be included is a major win for the community, especially with families struggling to make ends meet 
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. It's all about finding that sweet spot where progress meets preservation. I'm curious to see how this project will play out and what kind of vibrant energy it'll bring to the neighborhood 
And now they wanna turn it into some fancy mixed-use thingy with apartments and retail spaces... idk, sounds like a lot of work. Don't get me wrong, more affordable housing and community spaces are always a good thing, but isn't this gonna disrupt the whole vibe of the neighborhood? Like, what about all the people who already live there and love the old synogogue the way it is? I feel like they're trying to turn a historical landmark into some cookie-cutter development project. Maybe they should just leave it alone...
! The retail space is gonna be awesome, I'm thinking about setting up my own coffee shop 
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. I think it's so cool that there will be affordable units available, it's gonna help a lot of families who need a place to call home 
. It's also awesome that they're including community spaces and event areas, that way everyone can come together and enjoy each other's company 
. Fingers crossed everything goes smoothly and becomes a beautiful addition to the neighborhood 
This project sounds like an amazing way to breathe new life into the historic Emanuel Congregation synagogue. I love how Fern Hill is incorporating affordable housing options with 80 units available for those earning below 60% of the area median income 
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. Fingers crossed that it turns out to be a beautiful and vibrant project that honors the synagogue's history while also meeting the needs of the local residents 
i'm also loving the lakefront views 
and I can already imagine all the cool cafes and shops that'll pop up! The design looks so sleek and modern, but still respecting the historic integrity of the synagogue 
. Let's be real, who needs more traffic on Sheridan Road? 
the circular motor court is a game-changer! Can't wait to see this whole project come together in Feb 
the project aims to increase density by about 10% in the area which is actually kinda nice 
it'll be interesting to see how it affects the surrounding community 
the design features look sleek and modern, but still respect the historic integrity of the synagogue - kudos to fern hill and emmanuel congregation for working together on this project! 
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. But let's not forget, we need more than just token efforts at affordability – we need comprehensive policies to support low-income families and ensure they can actually afford housing 
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. Sorry, I know this sounds cynical, but as someone who's passionate about community-led development, it's hard not to feel frustrated with the lack of transparency and public engagement in big projects like this 
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. The city is gonna be flooded with new people and change the vibe of the neighborhood entirely - good riddance to the old days 
. And let's be real, the synagogue's chapel and sanctuary spaces are probably gonna get lost in that giant tower... it's all about progress and profit 
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. By offering apartments from studios to two-bedrooms, Fern Hill is creating opportunities for people who might not have been able to find housing elsewhere.
. Fern Hill should definitely be holding more town halls and listening sessions with Emanuel Congregation members before the design is finalized. It's their project too, after all!