CHICAGO, IL - Evergreen Real Estate Group, Imagine Group and KLEO Enterprises today announced the completion of Auburn Gresham Apartments, a two-building, 58-unit affordable housing community in Chicago’s Auburn Gresham neighborhood on the South Side. The mixed-use buildings were developed in a joint venture between Evergreen—a leader in the development, construction, and management of both affordable and market-rate multifamily properties—and minority-owned developer Imagine, in collaboration with KLEO Enterprises, the Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD), and the Chicago Department of Housing.
"The investments we are seeing today on the South Side will ensure that Chicago continues to grow and thrive not just today but for generations to come," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "We want to continue to attract people, businesses, and jobs to Chicago, particularly to our South and West Sides, and these projects in Auburn Gresham are an important step forward for our city."
“Auburn Gresham, like many other parts of Chicago, urgently needs more affordable housing,” said David Block, director of development for Evergreen Real Estate Group. “Working in partnership with Imagine Group, city officials and other community stakeholders, we have created a new community-oriented development that will enhance the lives of Auburn Gresham residents for generations to come.”
“Auburn Gresham was my second home growing up. I’m proud that this project isn't just a new apartment complex—it’s a catalyst for a new era of growth in the neighborhood,” said Torrey Barrett, Principal for Imagine Group. “With commercial spaces dedicated to local businesses and nonprofits, these buildings will both provide homes and strengthen 79th Street’s retail corridor."
Auburn Gresham Apartments, which won a 2020 DPD request for proposals for vacant city land at 79th and Green streets, was initially envisioned as a single building. Following three community workshops, the developers shifted more than half of the proposed units to a second city-owned site at 79th and Halsted streets. The complex now comprises:
- 838 W. 79th St. – A three-story building with 28 one- to three-bedroom apartments, 28 parking spaces, and 5,200 square feet of retail space.
- 757 W. 79th St. – A five-story building with 30 one- to three-bedroom apartments, 14 parking spaces, and 3,300 square feet of commercial space.
“I’m proud to have been a supporter of this new apartment community from the beginning,” said Alderman David Moore of the 17th Ward. “Auburn Gresham Apartments was designed with the neighborhood’s needs in mind and will contribute to a stronger, more vibrant 79th Street corridor.”
Residences at both buildings are reserved for households with incomes at or below 60% of the area median income (AMI). Professionally managed by Evergreen, they are already approximately 75% leased. Commercial tenants will include KLEO Enterprises, a for-profit development and property management firm; The Auburn, an Italian restaurant; and K.L.E.O. Community Family Life Center, a nonprofit dedicated to youth development.
Designed by Ross Barney Architects and minority-led Nia Architects, Auburn Gresham Apartments amenities include community spaces, a fitness center, laundry rooms on each floor, and on-site management office and maintenance staff. Each building includes an outdoor plaza with seating areas, and select apartments also include a balcony. All homes feature plank flooring, window treatments, island kitchens with Energy Star appliances, generous closet space, modern baths and individually controlled HVAC. Inspired by the surrounding commercial district, the buildings incorporate community-preferred design elements such as colored brick, stone-like cement board, and glass storefronts.
The City of Chicago provided financing through tax-exempt bonds, Tax Increment Financing (TIF), and Sales Tax Securitization Funds. Auburn Gresham Apartments offers excellent transit access, including the CTA’s No. 79 bus to the Red Line and the upcoming Auburn Park Metra station, which will connect residents to downtown and the southwest suburbs.
The development aligns with the broader 79th Street Corridor Plan, a community-led initiative bringing new investments to the area. In addition to housing and the new Metra station, the plan includes streetscape improvements; the recently reopened Save A Lot store, and the Auburn Gresham Healthy Lifestyle Hub—a multipurpose community center close to the apartment complex.
About Imagine Group: Imagine Group is a minority-owned and certified leading boutique real estate development firm with significant local experience in market-rate, mixed-income and affordable housing. Imagine Group’s leadership has improved more than 36 units of single-family and 72 units of multi- family housing for income-eligible households. The firm has used Section 8 funds to provide rental housing for over 150 families and individuals. Imagine Group has experience with a variety of funding resources including Low Income Housing Tax Credits, Historic Tax Credits, Employer Assisted Housing, Cook County Class 9, Housing Trust Fund, Community Land Trust, Tax Increment Financing and other programs to support creation or rehabilitation of affordable and workforce housing.
About Evergreen Real Estate Group: Founded in 2001, Chicago-based Evergreen Real Estate Group is a fully integrated multifamily company that develops, acquires, and manages affordable and market-rate multifamily apartments for both seniors and families across 12 states and the District of Columbia. Evergreen specializes in thoughtful, creative residential development solutions -- from adaptive reuse of historic buildings to new development in cities and towns facing a shortage of affordable housing. The firm is led by a passionate, cross-disciplinary team of developers, architects, urban planners and attorneys who have come together to create high-quality apartment communities, often in collaboration with local municipalities and financial partners who share its vision of investing not just in real estate, but also the people who call our communities home. Evergreen currently owns and manages 14,500 units of multifamily housing. For more information, visit www.evergreenreg.com
About KLEO: Founded in 2008, KLEO is a non-profit organization dedicated to eradicating violence by bringing opportunity to those in need through Education, Public Safety, Economic Development and Health and Human Services.