Lawson House, Chicago’s historic YMCA, occupies the northeast corner of Chicago and Dearborn in one of the city’s wealthiest neighborhoods. Built in 1931 as the tallest structure in Chicago, the building became a “city in a block,” with 583 sleeping rooms, two gymnasiums, an indoor pool, cafeteria, barber shop, and many period-themed amenities.
The project’s 28-month transformative rehabilitation provides dignified living conditions in 409 low-income single-room occupancy (SRO) units, approximately 1/3 of the City’s new online units. The project’s modernization marks the only complete renovation of units since the building's opening.
The building was designed for LEED Gold Certification but is stretching for LEED Platinum. The biggest impact will be on the owner’s utility bills: both water and electric bills are designed to a 37% reduction in usage. Considering the high-intensity usage of SROs, that difference saves ~$215,000/year.
This monumental historic renovation received the largest single allocation of LIHTC (Low Income Housing Tax Credits) funding in Illinois history.
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