Urban building with a unique facade, featuring large windows and pedestrian activity on the street, surrounded by trees and greenery.
Urban residential building with multiple stories, large windows, and ground-level greenery, set against a clear blue sky.

Thrive Englewood

Chicago, Illinois
Reinvesting in neighborhood life

At Thrive Englewood, housing becomes a platform for long-term community stability. Developed with DL3 Realty, the mixed-income, transit-oriented development transforms a long-vacant site along 63rd Street into an active neighborhood anchor—one designed to attract working families back to Englewood while supporting entrepreneurship, local retail, and everyday community life.

The six-story, 78,000-square-foot development delivers high-quality housing alongside resident amenities, live/work storefronts, and community-focused ground-floor retail. By combining affordability, economic opportunity, and strong urban design, the project operates not simply as housing, but as catalytic infrastructure for neighborhood reinvestment.

People interacting near a building with large windows and a sleek exterior. A cyclist is seen on the left side of the image.
A landscaped setback creates a shared “front porch,” strengthening the pedestrian experience and encouraging connection.
New apartment building with large windows, located in Englewood. Green landscaping with trees and shrubs in the foreground. People visible near the entrance.
what makes it cool
Not just apartments—a street-activating, fully electric mixed-income building that blends homes, storefronts, and community space to rebuild local momentum.
Supporting everyday life inside the building

Inside, the design focuses on comfort, daylight, and adaptability for a wide range of households. One-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments accommodate diverse family structures, while full-height windows maximize natural light and visual connection to the neighborhood.

Shared amenities, including a community room, business center, fitness space, bike room and courtyard—extend living beyond the apartment and foster opportunities for connection among residents. Flexible common areas are designed to host both informal gatherings and programming delivered with local nonprofit partners, reinforcing the building’s role as both housing and community resource.

Built for Long-Term Wellbeing

Sustainability strategies support both environmental performance and resident health. The fully electric building incorporates high-performance heat-pump systems, energy-recovery ventilation, Energy Star appliances, low-flow fixtures, and a green roof to improve efficiency, indoor air quality, and stormwater management. The project is Enterprise Green Communities certified and meets Chicago’s Sustainable Development Policy.

Equity and local investment were central to the project’s delivery. More than 43% of subcontractor spending supported minority-owned businesses, while nearly half of all construction hours were completed by Chicago residents—reinforcing the project’s commitment to inclusive economic growth alongside neighborhood reinvestment.

As one of the first new multifamily developments in Englewood in more than 50 years, Thrive Englewood establishes a framework for continued investment—strengthening the neighborhood’s social, economic, and physical fabric.

The façade balances scale and rhythm—articulated vertical bays and modulated windows break down the massing, creating a contemporary expression that responds to and reflects the surrounding neighborhood.

Project Team

Amina Helstern Amina Helstern headshot
People
Amina Helstern
Todd Snapp
People
Todd Snapp
Justin Wortmann Headshot of Justin Wortmann
People
Justin Wortmann