48 Apartments Approved for a River West Triangle at Milwaukee and Erie

RIVER WEST: One of the more unusually shaped corners along Milwaukee Avenue could eventually look very different.

Chicago City Council has approved a seven-story, 48-unit residential development at 940 W. Erie Street, where Milwaukee Avenue meets Erie Street. Developer Bachula Development plans to replace two three-story commercial buildings, a surface parking area and vacant lawn with an approximately 84-foot residential building designed by 360 Design Studio.

The project is relatively modest compared with the towers rising elsewhere in Chicago, but it fits a larger pattern taking shape in River West: older commercial and industrial properties gradually giving way to more housing.

What’s Planned at 940 W. Erie

The building would be entirely residential, with 17 one-bedroom and 31 two-bedroom apartments.

Three homes would occupy the Milwaukee-and-Erie corner at ground level, with the residential lobby connecting to both streets. The upper floors would generally contain nine apartments each, and every unit is planned with a private balcony. Residents would also have access to a shared rooftop deck.

Parking is planned at roughly half the unit count, with 24 car spaces split between the ground floor and basement. The project also includes 52 bicycle spaces, slightly more than one for every apartment.

That parking ratio is notable for a Milwaukee Avenue location where residents have access to a more urban, transit-oriented lifestyle. Rather than devoting a large portion of the project to cars, the proposal balances structured parking with substantial bike storage.

Another Piece of River West Is Shifting Toward Housing

What makes 940 W. Erie more interesting is what is happening around it.

Nearby at 930 W. Huron, City Council previously approved another 360 Design Studio project with 35 apartments, while a former office property at 1040 W. Huron received permits to become 32 apartments. Along Milwaukee Avenue itself, upper-floor office space at 688 N. Milwaukee has also been permitted for conversion into 22 apartments.

These are separate developments by different owners, but together they point toward a gradual shift in River West.

Rather than changing through one massive residential project, the neighborhood is adding housing parcel by parcel, often by redeveloping or converting properties originally used for offices, industry, parking or other commercial purposes.

For residents, that can eventually mean more people living along streets that historically had a stronger commercial or industrial character. For nearby businesses, additional households can also increase the year-round customer base.

The Zoning Is Approved, but Construction Is Not Starting Yet

City Council approval clears an important hurdle, but the distinction matters: 940 W. Erie is approved, not yet under construction.

The property is being rezoned from M1-3 Limited Manufacturing/Business Park District to DR-5 Downtown Residential District, allowing the proposed residential density. The existing M1-3 designation is primarily intended for uses such as manufacturing, warehousing, offices and other business activities.

Development can now continue through the permitting process, but no construction start or completion date has been announced.

That means buyers, renters and nearby owners should view the project as part of River West's approved development pipeline, rather than as a building that is guaranteed to break ground immediately.

Why River West Development Is Worth Watching

River West occupies an interesting position between several of Chicago's major employment, dining and entertainment districts, while still containing properties that reflect its industrial past.

That creates opportunities for smaller infill developments like 940 W. Erie to change individual corners without introducing a massive high-rise.

For people evaluating real estate nearby, these projects are worth tracking because new construction can affect views, traffic, parking patterns, rental competition and the overall character of a block.

At 940 W. Erie, the immediate change would be straightforward: a corner currently divided among commercial buildings, parking and unused open space could instead hold 48 households with balconies, bike storage and a shared rooftop amenity.

It may not transform River West on its own.

But alongside the other residential projects nearby, it is another sign of where the neighborhood is heading.

Watching River West and the Near West Side Change?

Understanding an area means looking at more than today's listings. Approved developments, conversions and future construction can all affect what living on a particular block may look like several years from now.

The Cory Tanzer Group at Option Premier helps Chicago buyers and sellers evaluate recent sales, active

competition, building-level details and nearby development activity before making a move.

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