Habitat and Cabrera Capital Break Ground on LeClaire Courts Redevelopment in Chicago

• Habitat and Cabrera Capital have broken ground on the first phase of the LeClaire Courts redevelopment in Chicago’s Garfield Ridge community.
• The $119 million first phase includes 183 apartments across two six-story buildings, with 90% of the homes designated as affordable.
• The initial phase will include a 14,000-square-foot early childhood education center operated by Chicago Commons, along with retail space and resident amenities.
• The full 32-acre redevelopment is planned to include up to 700 residential units, approximately 440,000 square feet of commercial space and publicly accessible open space.

What the LeClaire Courts Redevelopment Will Deliver

Habitat and Cabrera Capital, in partnership with the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA), have broken ground on the first residential phase of the LeClaire Courts redevelopment in Chicago’s Garfield Ridge community. The project will transform a 32-acre site that formerly housed the LeClaire Courts public housing community, which was completed in the 1950s and demolished in 2011. The broader redevelopment is planned as a multi-phase, mixed-use community with up to 700 residential units, approximately 440,000 square feet of commercial space and publicly accessible open space. Future phases are expected to add a range of housing types and services, expanding the site beyond its initial residential buildings.

 

 

What the First Phase Includes

The first phase consists of two six-story residential buildings containing 183 apartments. The homes will be offered in studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom layouts, accommodating a range of household sizes. Ninety percent of the apartments will be designated as affordable through income and rent restrictions supported by public financing for qualifying low- and moderate-income residents. The remaining units will be offered at market rate, creating a mixed-income residential component. The $119 million first phase is scheduled for completion in 2028. SCB designed the buildings, and George Sollitt Construction Co. is serving as general contractor.

What Funding Supports the Development

The first phase combines public funding, tax credit equity and developer contributions to finance construction. The Chicago Housing Authority is providing a $27 million capital loan, while city multifamily program funds contribute $9.5 million and tax-increment financing adds $5.5 million. The financing package also includes $33.7 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit equity, $1.3 million in Illinois Affordable Housing Tax Credit equity and a $1.2 million deferred developer fee. Bank of America and other mission-driven investment partners are also part of the financing structure. The combination of public resources and tax credit investment supports the project’s affordability commitments while enabling redevelopment of the former public housing site.

What Community Services and Amenities Are Planned

The first phase will include a 14,000-square-foot early childhood education center operated by Chicago Commons, as well as additional ground-floor retail space. The education center is intended to provide an important community service alongside the new housing. Residents will have access to fitness centers, community rooms, resident services space, bicycle storage and package rooms. Outdoor features will include playgrounds, landscaped gathering areas and publicly facing murals, contributing to the residential environment and the site’s connection with the surrounding neighborhood.

What Future Phases Could Add to Garfield Ridge

The broader LeClaire Courts redevelopment is expected to proceed in multiple phases. Plans call for additional mixed-income apartment buildings, townhome-style residences and senior housing, alongside more retail and commercial development. Future components may also include health care services and additional open space. Together, these uses are intended to create a more integrated neighborhood with housing options for different household types and access to services, employment and community amenities.

What Comes Next for LeClaire Courts

With construction underway on the first phase, the immediate focus is delivering the 183 apartments, early childhood education center and supporting amenities by 2028. Additional phases will determine how the larger 32-acre site develops into a mixed-use community over time. The project represents a significant step in the long-term redevelopment of the former LeClaire Courts public housing site, combining affordable and market-rate housing with community services and commercial space.