After selecting winning proposals for sites in Austin, Englewood, and Auburn-Gresham, the city of Chicago's INVEST South/West initiative continues to set its sights on revitalizing commercial corridors in other historically underserved communities. 

No less than six teams of developers, architects, and community partners answered the call to breathe new life into the North Lawndale community on Chicago's West Side. The groups responded to the city's request for proposals for a 41,500-square-foot, transit-served vacant lot at 3400 W. Ogden Avenue.

The city's Department of Planning and Development intends to hold a community presentation to discuss the responses on May 19 and 20. Officials expect to select a winning proposal this summer and begin construction sometime in the first half of 2022. Here's a look at what the six teams are proposing. 

An aerial view of the vacant site at 3400 W. Ogden Avenue.Chicago Department of Planning and Development

The Tapestry
Development team: Lawndale Christian Development Corporation, NHP Foundation
Design team: UrbanWorks, Milhouse Engineering, David Mason & Assoc.
Planning Resources, Engage Civil, APMonarch
Estimated cost: $31.4 million
Description: This four-story mixed-use project includes 67 units of affordable housing, a community-focused retail space, and a public plaza. The ground floor houses retail space for a food hall that caters to local entrepreneurs and a co-working space with a focus on community services.

A rendering of The TapestryChicago Department of Planning and Development

Elevate X Hive
Development team: Miller & Ferguson, Rankins Group, Structure Group
Design team: Ross Barney Architects
Community partners: North Lawndale Employment Network, Safeway Construction
Estimated cost: $52.8 million
Description: Resembling a giant honeycomb, this striking mixed-use proposal rises five stories. It includes Hive Cosmetology & Fragrance
School, an African-American Hair Museum, 66 units of affordable housing on floors three through five, and five ground-floor retail spaces for local businesses including a hair salon. 

Elevate X HiveChicago Department of Planning and Development

PIVOT North Lawndale
Development team: Michaels Development, New Covenant CDC
Design team: Canopy, Future Firm, Planning Resources, Milhouse, Engage Civil
Estimated cost: $27.5 million
Description: This five-story mixed-use community hub features 54 housing units of which 46 will be affordable. It also includes a pavilion at the corner of Ogden and Trumbull Avenue, a multipurpose community space for small local businesses, a marketplace comprising small short-term commercial spaces for West Side entrepreneurs.

A rendering of PIVOT North Lawndale.Chicago Department of Planning and Development

OG Lawndale
Development team: Gorman & Company
Design team: JGMA Architects, BEEHYYVE, EG Woode, Site Design
Estimated cost: $38.3 million
Description: OG Lawndale calls for a three-story office building and a five-story 50-unit affordable building with tiered massing that gradually steps up n height from Ogden. The plan includes a grocery store, restaurants, and pop-up retail space and green space in the form of a landscaped plaza, rooftop decks, and outdoor cafes.

A rendering of OG LawndaleChicago Department of Planning and Development

Lawndale Redefined
Development team: GRE Ventures, Imagine Development, 548 Development 
Design team: Wight & Company, Onyx Architectural Services, Site Design Group, Engage Civil, dbHMS
Community partners: Black Men United, NAACP-Westside Branch, Habilitative Systems, Small Business Development Corp. 
Estimated cost: $31.4 million
Description: As a multi-building mixed-use campus, Lawndale Redefined will offer an outdoor plaza surrounded by a small-scale grocer, a restaurant, three townhouses, a six-story mixed-income residential building, and a stand-alone community center dubbed "The Cube." Lawndale Redefined includes 63 residences and 48 will be affordable. 

A rending of Lawndale Redefined.Chicago Department of Planning and Development

Proxima Management Hotel
Development team: Proxima Management
Design team: Hutton and Hutton
Community advisors: North Lawndale Employment Network, Kazmi Advisors
Estimated cost: $48.8 million
Description: The only proposal that doesn't include housing, the Proxima Management Hotel calls for a five-story building containing 200 guest rooms and 220 parking spaces. The project will utilize sustainable construction materials and alternative energy sources and includes two restaurant/retail spaces with outdoor seating.

A rendering of the Proxima Management Hotel.Chicago Department of Planning and Development

Click here to see a one-page summary and additional renderings of the six proposals for the 3400 W. Ogden Avenue site.