Southshore Condo

The proposed 18-story residential tower on Chicago’s South Side is conceived as a compact, efficient, and highly rational urban building, balancing pragmatic planning with a contemporary architectural expression.

At the ground level, the building activates the street with a modest retail space well-suited for a neighborhood café or small local business, reinforcing pedestrian life and community engagement. This level also accommodates key residential support functions, discreetly integrated to maintain a clean and welcoming streetscape.

Above the ground floor, a parking podium elevates the residential units, allowing apartments to benefit from improved daylight, expansive city views, and enhanced privacy. By placing parking above grade, the design significantly reduces the high costs and logistical challenges associated with deep underground excavation, while maintaining an efficient structural system.

An amenity level on the eighth floor serves as a deliberate transition between the garage and the private residences above. This level is programmed as a shared social hub for residents and includes a landscaped rooftop terrace, fitness center, and resident lounge. Together, these spaces foster community, wellness, and a sense of retreat above the city.

The residential floors above are organized for efficiency and livability, with a compact core and optimized unit layouts that maximize views, light, and spatial clarity. The tower culminates in three penthouse residences occupying the top two floors, with the uppermost level featuring a dramatic double-height penthouse offering sweeping, panoramic views of Chicago’s skyline.