Officials have broken ground on a development that will provide 76 affordable homes for residents who are blind, visually impaired, or disabled and veterans.
The Foglia Residences at The Chicago Lighthouse will be the first low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) building in the nation for the blind community, according to supporters.
The project is being developed by Brinshore Development, an experienced affordable housing developer, and The Chicago Lighthouse, a renowned social service organization serving the blind, disabled, and veteran communities.
Located adjacent to The Chicago Lighthouse’s center in Chicago’s 27th Ward in the Illinois Medical District, the nine-story structure will feature podium construction with three levels of parking, first-floor retail space, and six levels of housing. At roof level, there will be back-lit translucent panels symbolizing a lighthouse.
Units will be offered in studio, one-, and two-bedroom floor plans and will provide accessible, independent living for qualifying low-income households. Features will include Energy Star appliances, cultured marble vanities, WaterSense plumbing fixtures, and luxury vinyl plank, carpet, and tile flooring.
Tenant amenities will include a fitness center, a community room, and a fourth-floor rooftop terrace. Outside, residents will be able to enjoy a courtyard with a dog run and a playground. To make the residence fully accessible for its tenants, the common areas will offer contrasting colors, lit braille unit signage, handrails on both sides of the corridors, and braille wallpaper.
The development was designed with sustainability in mind to achieve Enterprise Green Communities certification.
The project is being built by McShane Ashlaur Joint Venture, which is comprised of McShane Construction Co. and Ashlaur Construction. LBBA is the architect.
The estimated development cost is $36 million. Funding partners include CIBC, JPMorgan Chase, National Equity Fund, and private investors.
