Basecamp River North

Text by Nate Berg

On just 2 acres of Chicago’s Loop-adjacent River North neighborhood, local firm Pappageorge Haymes Partners designed a tight but uncluttered cluster of 57 sleek, modern homes. Built by LG Construction + Development, the homes are a mix of market-rate two- and three-story row homes and affordable three-story walk-up condominium buildings.

Inspired by Chicago’s strong tradition of modernist design, the buildings feature simple, geometric façades of solid white and gray cement panels with oversized black metal-clad windows. Each unit has a private front yard space, and many feature large rooftop decks. Inside, floor-to-ceiling windows flood the open floor plans and white walls with natural light.

Landscaped pedestrian walkways connect facing row homes, creating a social alleyway inside the development. Throughout, the outdoor spaces provide opportunities for interaction between neighbors while also allowing for sheltered, private use.

A uniform streetscape enables the affordable and market-rate homes to mix imperceptibly, and the interiors of the affordable units vary only slightly from their higher-priced counterparts. This subtle mix and consistent outward aesthetic combine to create a surprisingly organic neighborhood feel in an unapologetically modern development.

“The shared outdoor spaces between bars of housing add a lovely sense of community to this building.”
— Juror Janet Bloomberg

Architect: Pappageorge Haymes PartnersBuilder: LG Construction + Development
Developer: Ranquist Development Group
Size: 57 units, ranging from 553 square feet to 3,134 square feet
Cost: $177 per square foot