A seasoned Chicago architecture firm is pitching a 29-story tower on a vacant lot in Fulton Market.
Thomas Roszak Architecture wants to develop the high-rise at 1200 W. Carroll Ave., at the corner of West Carroll and North Racine avenues. The building, tentatively called Carroll Place, would have 397 apartments, including 80 affordable, and be anchored by more than 16,000 square feet of ground floor retail space.
Developer Sterling Bay had previously proposed a 484,617-square-foot office tower at the site, which the Chicago Plan Commission approved in 2020. It’s unclear why the developer is no longer pursuing the project. Sterling Bay didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
The firm held a community meeting Monday evening with the West Central Association Chamber of Commerce and Ald. Walter Redmond Burnett (27th) to present their plans for the residential building. Attendees praised Roszak’s proposal for its sleek design and for turning a vacant lot into new housing.
Apartments range from 523-square-foot studios to two-bedrooms with dens, Roszak said during the meeting. The average apartment will be 796 square feet, according to plans presented to community members.
Roszak said he plans to include 156 parking spaces and more than 400 bike parking spots. The firm will also add a new Divvy spot near the project.
There will be amenities such as an outdoor pool and spa, sundeck, fitness and yoga studios, media room, library and a rooftop terrace.
Thomas Roszak Architecture has designed and developed real estate projects in Chicago for more than 30 years, including Recess at City Hall and Morgan Manufacturing in Fulton Market. Carroll Place would be the firm’s second residential project in Fulton Market. It recently completed Fulbrix, a residential tower at 160 N. Elizabeth St. that replaced an auto repair shop
“We design and build these types of multifamily buildings, and this is really our area of expertise,” Roszak said.
The building’s name comes from the 16,000 square feet of green space at the project’s southern end. The area will foster a sense of place and host an array of events, said Roszak, who envisions the space being used for craft markets and movie nights.
“I think Carroll is contemplated to have some areas that are going to be closed off for pedestrian … walkability,” Roszak said. “We think that our open space is really going to contribute to that experience. I think it’ll be a really amazing street as as time goes on. It’s really going to be an amazing amenity for the whole neighborhood — and our tenants.”
Roszak said plaza events could also be coordinated with the businesses that eventually open in the building’s retail space. While it has not signed a tenant yet, the firm is targeting cafes, coffee shops and boutiques.
The firm said it right-sized the project to fit market demands in a commercial real estate landscape that’s remained largely unfavorable to office developments and megadevelopments.
The project is expected to cost less than $200 million, according to Roszak. If approved, it wants to start construction in January 2026. The project would take about 18 months to complete.
The community meeting was Burnett’s first since he was selected to take over for his father, retired Ald. Walter Burnett.
The freshman alderman said he was excited for the project and will support it once it’s in front of the City Council.