Condos Encroaching On Chicago Neighborhoods

Owners of 19th Century homes in Chicago are seeing condo developments moving rapidly into their neighborhoods despite the efforts of preservationists.

1 minute read

November 8, 2006, 5:00 AM PST

By Matt Baumann


Many of the cottages, built in the late 19th or early 20th-century for middle-class workers, are being eyed for demolition to make way for new condos. "Chicago is losing its neighborhood architecture, if we continue to allow our historic buildings to fall through the cracks like they have been, we're giving people less and less of a reason to come to our city."

Yet some argue that not everyone should wants to live in these types of homes, which tend to have small rooms and need updating to modern standards. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, a lot of people don't want 19th-century buildings. I grew up in a frame house. My bedroom was 8 by 8. People don't want that now."

Chicago has a unique way of handling zoning amendments: it's done through the aldermen. The problem arises if spot zoning is amended through an alderman who is either pro-development, or strictly adheres to a preservationist's point of view.

Tuesday, November 7, 2006 in The New York Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Grandparents sitting on bench with young girl and boy, girl holding ball and boy holding ukelele.

New Mexico Aging Department Commits to Helping Seniors Age ‘In Place’ and ‘Autonomously’ in New Draft Plan

As New Mexico’s population of seniors continues to grow, the state’s aging department is proposing expanded initiatives to help seniors maintain their autonomy while also supporting family caregivers.

30 minutes ago - Source NM

White Waymo self-driving car with camera and sensors mounted to front driver's side mirror.

USDOT Waters Down Self-Driving Car Regulations

The agency is reducing reporting requirements for autonomous vehicles and cars with self-driving features, prompting concern among safety advocates who say transparency is essential to the safe deployment of AV technology.

1 hour ago - Wired

Bronze or metal Native American mask sculpture in park in Minnehaha County.

‘Minnesota Nice’ Isn’t so Nice When You Can’t Find a Place to Live

The Economic Development and Housing Challenge Program can help address the scourge of homelessness among Indigenous people.

2 hours ago - Minnesota Reformer