The Resurrection Project Bringing Affordable Housing to Vacant Pilsen Lot at 18th & Peoria
The vacant lot at 18th and Peoria, which is slated to be redeveloped with hundreds of apartments and townhomes, parks and commercial space. Credit: Chicago Department of Planning and Developement
A major development is finally moving forward on one of Pilsen’s most talked-about vacant sites, and it’s been years in the making.
The city has selected The Resurrection Project to lead the first phase of development at 18th Street and Peoria, marking a turning point for a six-acre lot that has long been at the center of debates around affordability and growth.
What’s Being Built at 18th & Peoria
A rendering of Casa Nayarit, a mixed-use building, planned to bring 76 affordable apartments to one of Pilsen’s largest vacant lots at 18th and Peoria streets. Credit: Provided/The Resurrection Project
The project, called Casa Nayarit, will bring a seven-story building with 76 affordable housing units to 900 W. 18th St.
The development will include:
Studio to three-bedroom apartments
A childcare center operated by Chicago Commons
A rooftop deck and outdoor playground
Bike storage and shared community spaces
The total estimated cost is $48 million, with funding partially supported through Low-Income Housing Tax Credits.
Construction is expected to begin in 2027, with a projected timeline of about two and a half years.
A Major Step for Affordable Housing in Pilsen
For community leaders, this project represents more than just new housing, it’s about long-term stability for residents.
“We now have an opportunity to address the affordable housing crisis in the neighborhood,” said Raul Raymundo.
The building is the first phase of a larger plan that could eventually bring up to 432 housing units to the six-acre site.
A Project Years in the Making
Casa Nayarit, a mixed-use building, is planned to bring 76 affordable apartments to one of Pilsen’s largest vacant lots at 18th and Peoria streets. Credit: Provided/The Resurrection Project
The road to this development has been anything but simple. After years of community pushback against previous proposals, the city purchased the site in 2022 for $12 million, paving the way for a new, community-driven plan approved in 2023. Local leadership emphasized the importance of that effort.
“This is what we collectively worked for more than twenty years,” said Byron Sigcho Lopez. “It’s our story of ‘el pueblo unido jamás será vencido,’ and it’s because the people of Pilsen knew that it wasn’t just our land at stake, it was the social fabric of our neighborhood.”
What Happens Next
Before construction begins, the project still needs:
Zoning approval from the 25th Ward advisory board
Final city permits
A community review process is already underway, with key discussions expected as part of the approval timeline.
At the same time, additional phases for the site are expected to follow, bringing more housing and mixed-use development to the area.
What This Means for Buyers and Investors
Even though this is an affordable housing project, it still signals something important for the broader market.
New developments like this can:
Increase neighborhood demand
Bring new amenities and infrastructure
Influence nearby property values over time
For buyers and investors, this is a sign that Pilsen continues to evolve and attract long-term investment.
Why Pilsen Continues to Attract Attention
Pilsen remains one of Chicago’s most dynamic neighborhoods because of its:
Proximity to downtown
Strong cultural identity
Ongoing development activity
High demand from buyers and renters
Projects like Casa Nayarit reinforce that the neighborhood is still growing, while also prioritizing affordability.
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