Chicago Approves $23.4M Redevelopment of Historic Up Top Building

• The Chicago City Council has approved the $24.3 million redevelopment of the historic Up Top Building at 13100 S. Ellis Avenue in Altgeld Gardens.
• By The Hand Club For Kids will convert the former commercial building into a community center offering youth programs, classrooms, and recreational facilities.
• Construction is expected to begin this fall, with completion targeted for Fall 2027.

What Is Planned for the Up Top Building

The Chicago City Council has approved plans to redevelop the historic Up Top Building at 13100 S. Ellis Avenue in the Altgeld Gardens neighborhood. The project will transform the long-vacant structure into a new community center led by By The Hand Club For Kids, creating a dedicated space for youth programs and neighborhood activities.

Originally constructed in 1945, the building once served as the commercial center of Altgeld Gardens. After years of deterioration, the redevelopment will preserve one of the community's most recognizable landmarks while giving it a new purpose.

What the Redevelopment Includes

Designed by Present Future Architects, the project will restore and rehabilitate the existing structure while adding a one-story expansion that complements the original building. The renovated facility will feature classrooms, administrative offices, a multipurpose room, and a gymnasium located within the new addition.

The main entrance will be highlighted with a new glass storefront and improved pedestrian access from the sidewalk. Existing boarded-up and bricked-in window openings will be replaced with new glazing to create a more welcoming and active streetscape.

Outside, the project includes a 70-space surface parking lot along South Ellis Avenue to serve visitors and community members.

What This Means for Altgeld Gardens

The redevelopment represents a significant investment in Altgeld Gardens by preserving a culturally important building while expanding community resources for local families. Once complete, the center will provide after-school programs, sports activities, educational services, and flexible gathering spaces for residents of all ages.

The project also supports broader neighborhood revitalization efforts by restoring a historic property that has remained vacant for years.

What Comes Next

With City Council approval secured, By The Hand Club For Kids can proceed with permitting and construction. The organization is also advancing a zoning amendment that incorporates the site into Planned Development 1186, allowing the redevelopment to move forward.

Construction is expected to begin this fall, with the new community center anticipated to open in Fall 2027.