Macon Construction is Approved for $65M Avondale Development

• Macon Construction received Plan Commission approval for a new multi-phase residential development in Avondale.
• The $65 million proposal at 3265 N. California Ave. will deliver 105 residential units, including 21 affordable homes.
• The project combines a five-story apartment building with multiple townhome structures across a two-acre site.

What the Approved Avondale Project Includes

Chicago’s Plan Commission has approved plans for a large residential development at 3265 N. California Ave. in Avondale, allowing the long-planned project to move one step closer to construction. Developer Macon Construction is partnering with Hirsch MPG on the design of the multi-building community, which will rise on a two-acre site near Belmont Avenue. The proposal combines a mid-rise apartment building with multiple townhome structures connected through a new internal private drive and landscaped shared spaces.

What the First Phase Will Deliver

The first phase centers on a five-story apartment building located near West Melrose Street. The building will include 65 residential units with a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom layouts. Plans also call for a small fitness center, lobby space, linear units, and a rear parking garage with 21 spaces. Designs show a contemporary brick exterior using a combination of red and dark gray materials, fitting into the broader architectural character of the surrounding neighborhood.

What the Townhome Portion Adds to the Project

Future phases will introduce multiple three-story townhome buildings surrounding a large shared courtyard. Each townhome will include four-bedroom layouts, private balconies, attached two-car garages, and additional family-sized living space that continues seeing strong demand across Chicago neighborhoods. The second phase would add four townhome structures, while the final phase would complete two additional buildings toward the northern section of the site. Once complete, the full development will total 105 residential units, including 21 affordable units required under the city’s affordable housing guidelines.

What This Means for Avondale Development

The approval adds to the growing wave of residential investment moving through Avondale as developers continue targeting neighborhoods along the Northwest Side. Avondale has become increasingly attractive to builders because of its transit access, relative affordability compared to nearby Logan Square, and continued population growth among young professionals and families. Projects combining apartments and townhomes have also become more common as developers try to diversify unit types and appeal to a broader renter and buyer base.

What Happens Next for the Development

The project still requires City Council approval before construction can begin. Developers are currently targeting a 2027 groundbreaking for the $65 million project. For investors and landlords, the proposal reflects the continued strength of Chicago’s neighborhood multifamily market even as downtown office development remains slower. If completed as planned, the project could help further reshape this section of Avondale with new housing density and upgraded residential infrastructure