New life was breathed into the southeast corner of 63rd and Western Avenue when the Southwest Organizing Project and their partners held a groundbreaking for a new $22.5 million five-story apartment complex with 44 one-and- two bedroom apartments, 2,500 square feet of commercial space, a community room, fitness room, shared laundry and parking spaces in the rear.
The huge three-story Gaynor building, which occupied that spot since 1924, had fallen into such disrepair that it could not be renovated.
“Initially, we really hoped to be able to refurbish the building but it had so much damage on the inside that it became cost-prohibitive,” said Jeff Bartow, Executive Director of SWOP, at the April 13 groundbreaking.
For decades, the Gaynor building was a busy place with the popular Western Recreation Bowling Alley on the second floor. In the 1950s, Andes Candies occupied the corner shop and in the 1970s Fannie May took its place. The unique Shapiro Shoe Store was in the Gaynor Building, and since the building was an L-shape, one could enter the store from Western Avenue or 63rd Street. With retail shops like those, to name a few, lining Western Avenue, shoppers flocked to its doors in the past. Western was flourishing then, and now that particular corner has a bright future.
Ald. Stephanie Coleman (16th), whose ward encompasses the corner, remembered growing up not too far from that spot and going to the Sears Roebuck and Jewel-Osco down the street.
“Investment means more families coming. It means more retail,” said Coleman. “ It means the 63rd Street that we grew up to know and attracting those businesses to come.”
Coleman announced that a social service room in the new building would be dedicated in honor of Chicago Police Officer Ella French who was fatally shot not too far from that corner in August of 2021.
In speaking of how long the project had been in the works, David Brint, co-founder of Brinshore Development, said it took four years to find the owner of the property and a decade to buy the building.
Carlos Pittman, who lives with his family in the area and is a long-time community organizer with SWOP, spoke of ‘the exciting part of this moment, knowing what it was and what it will be.’
“This corner is where Chicago Lawn and West Englewood meet,” he said. “The transformation of this corner brings long-term residents, not to be pushed out, but a part of the future.”
Toro Construction is the general contractor for the project. Owner Luis Vasquez said much of the building will be prefabricated with 60% being manufactured in Chicago.
In closing, Bishop Daniel Turley OSA, of St. Rita Parish, described the morning as ‘a beautiful moment with so many people coming together to make this a reality.’
“Quality homes for everyone. It can be contagious, getting on a roll of development,” he explained. “Thank you to the leaders who have prioritized this project. When we believe in ourselves and believe in this neighborhood, we become a beacon of hope and can lift up an entire city and the world!”
The 63rd and Western project is yet another part of SWOP’s Reclaiming Southwest Chicago Initiative, which they began in 2012 to address foreclosures, and vacant properties with rehabilitation and new construction. SWOP has been an important pillar in the community and will celebrate its 30th anniversary this year. The target date for completion of this current project is Spring of 2027.
