Affordable Senior Housing Planned for Humboldt Park

Partial demolition permit issued for 1539 N. Pulaski project

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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A partial demolition permit has been issued for the existing Pioneer Arcade building as part of an affordable senior housing development in Chicago's Humboldt Park neighborhood. The $36.22 million project will adaptively reuse the historic Pioneer Arcade building and construct a six-story addition to provide 61 affordable units for very-low-income elderly households.

Why it matters

The project will preserve an important historic building while providing much-needed affordable senior housing in Humboldt Park, a neighborhood that has seen rising rents and displacement of long-time residents. The development is part of the city's efforts to create more affordable housing options for the city's aging population.

The details

Designed by UrbanWorks, the project will preserve the terracotta facade of the historic Pioneer Arcade building and retain about one-third of the existing structure. A six-story addition will be built behind the preserved facade, featuring 61 affordable apartments, a community room, supportive services offices, and parking. The apartments will be reserved for very-low-income elderly households, with 58 one-bedroom units at 50% AMI or less and 3 two-bedroom units, one of which will be for a resident manager.

  • The project secured its full building permit and closed on the development's financial package at the end of 2025.
  • A partial demolition permit was issued in March 2026 to allow Atlas Industries to demolish the back portion of the Pioneer Arcade building.
  • Construction is expected to last 15 months, with a groundbreaking in January 2026.

The players

UrbanWorks

The architectural firm designing the affordable senior housing project.

HHDC

The developer that received $13.24 million in tax-increment financing from the City of Chicago to help fund the $36.22 million project.

Leopardo Construction

The general contractor that will lead the construction of the new addition to the Pioneer Arcade building.

Atlas Industries

The company that will demolish the back portion of the Pioneer Arcade building to make way for the new construction.

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What’s next

With the partial demolition permit issued, construction is expected to begin in the coming months and be completed within 15 months.

The takeaway

This affordable senior housing development in Humboldt Park demonstrates how historic preservation and new construction can be combined to create much-needed affordable housing options for the city's aging population, while also revitalizing a neighborhood facing rising costs of living.