Onni Clears Hurdle For $1B Mixed-Use Project In River West

One of Onni Group’s $1 billion developments near the site of Bally’s planned casino complex in River West is moving forward.

The Chicago Plan Commission has greenlit the Canadian firm’s three-phase plan, which calls for nearly 2,500 apartments across four towerS along with retail, green space, an amphitheater and a water taxi stop, Urbanize reported.

If City Council ultimately approves the development, called Halsted Landing, construction could begin as early as 2029, with completion projected for 2037.

Just north of the site of Halsted Landing, Onni Group is spearheading Halsted Pointe, a five-tower development that will include 2,650 housing units, a 300-key hotel, retail and over 100,000 square feet of green space. Construction of the 2.7 million-square-foot project started last year.

The first phase of Halsted Landing will yield a mixed-use tower comprising a four-story podium, an 11-story midrise and a 56-story skyscraper. The tower will feature 540 residential units, with an additional 148 units in the podium. Ground-floor retail space and a residential lobby will face a newly-constructed access road.

The second phase is set to include a 44-story skyscraper at the corner of West Chicago Avenue and North Halsted Street. It will have more than 500 residential units and 33,300 square feet of retail space. A 9-story commercial building will also rise along North Halsted Street, adding 3,800 square feet of retail space.

The final phase calls for two interconnected towers along West Chicago Avenue at the river, with a four-story podium linking them. The west tower will rise 51 stories and comprise 540 units, and the east tower will rise 57 stories with 606 units. The podium will include 8,400 square feet of retail space.

Along the riverfront, the development will offer multiple pathways, a water taxi stop, seating areas, an amphitheater, more retail and various recreational amenities.

Halsted Landing will comply with the city’s affordable housing ordinance by providing 490 affordable units. The project will also contribute substantial funds to various city programs, including $17.8 million to the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund and $2.2 million to the citywide Adopt-A-Landmark program, the outlet reported.

Onni is one of several developers looking to capitalize on the forthcoming casino project, which is expected to spur economic growth in the area. Shapack Partners, for example, is pursuing a development with more than 2,200 apartments and a hotel near the casino site.

—Quinn Donoghue