Developer James D. Letchinger tells GlobeSt.com he plans to begin building the 20-story modern and art deco building at 1035 N. Dearborn St. next month, with completion expected in November 2005. Ten of the units already have been sold, he adds.

Letchinger's 1035 North Dearborn LLC acquired the property in 2000, and plans were approved in 2002 for an 18-story condominium tower with the existing Blake-Lamb Funeral Home occupying ground-floor space. The funeral home is no longer part of the plan, according to the city's department of planning and development, but the project still includes more than 10,000 sf of ground-floor retail space along Maple Street.

Economics drove the change, explains 42nd Ward Alderman Burton Natarus. "They need more apartments for financing," he says, noting Letchinger is building west of another condominium project, Newberry Plaza.

The project required a zoning change to allow for a plan about 15% larger than allowed under a current residential business planned development. The plan commission recently endorsed the revisions, and city council approval is expected. "It's going to cover a lot that really needs work on it," Natarus says.