Sonoc's 20-story condominium building, which will include space for his new office, got a rare split vote from the plan commission Thursday. Not only was the recommendation less than the usual unanimous vote, the 230-unit project was endorsed by a 5-2 vote.

The problem, according to chairman and fellow architect Linda Searl as well as plan commission member John Nelson, is the 315-feet height and nearly 290,000 sf at the corner of Division and Halsted streets is out of character with the rest of the area, which includes the redevelopment of the former Cabrini-Green public housing project. "I know what we've put other developers through in River North," says Nelson, referring to give-and-take over plans for buildings in the neighborhood to the east. "This is an unusual pinnacle out on Division Street."

While Searl notes it may be difficult to persuade other developers to scale down their plans, Benet Haller of the department of planning and development reports plans are in the works for at least three more multifamily towers on parcels south and east of Sonoc's property, where he set up shop 12 years ago. Alderman Burton Natarus, whose 42nd Ward once included the site, believes more high rises are likely to be built along the east bank of the Chicago River, joining the former Montgomery Ward headquarters, which has been converted to condominiums.

Meanwhile, there is a strong need for housing in the area, says Sonoc, who also is earmarking 20% of his buildings units for buyers qualifying under the city's affordable housing initiative and for replacement Chicago Housing Authority units. "The area around it has changes, and there is a real need for housing," Sonoc tells GlobeSt.com, noting there are 15,000 jobs in the surrounding area, including 5,000 on nearby Goose Island.

The one-bedroom units will likely sell in the $295,000 range, Sonoc says, while prices for two-bedroom units could be in the neighborhood of $375,000. He is in talks with two banks on the financing, he reports. Construction could begin next spring, he tells GlobeSt.com, with completion in late 2007.

Natarus' only problem with the project is that it borders a ComEd substation. "This is am electrical substation that's unshielded except for a cyclone fence," says Natarus, noting the utility has walled off other substations. "I think if you look at the record, there've been about seven fires there. I think they're going to have to hide that [substation] somehow."

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230-Unit Tower Planned for Division and Halsted

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