Harrison Row Townhomes, utilizing modular construction, offer affordable housing in East Garfield Park - Chicago Agent Magazine Local News

2022-06-15 12:37:55 By : Mr. Karma You

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The Harrison Row Townhomes under construction

Structured Development has officially launched the second phase of Harrison Row Townhomes, an affordable townhome community in East Garfield Park on the corner of Harrison Street and Francisco Avenue. The first phase, which was completed last year, includes seven townhouses, but phase two greatly expands the project with 33 new three-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom townhomes. Of those, 28 units (seven duplexes) will be built using modular construction.

Kinexx Modular Construction will assemble those modular townhomes off-site in a factory on the Southwest Side, shortening the delivery time to approximately 90 days — including installation. The local company was founded in 2020 by Joshua Braun and Paul Tebben, and Harrison Row marks the first application of their modular townhome designs.

“We started Kinexx in the hopes of addressing Chicago’s affordable housing shortage. This is exactly the type of project we envisioned,’” said Braun, the principal and CEO of Kinexx, in a press release. “Our modular homes are indistinguishable from homes built using traditional construction methods, and we believe Harrison Row will prove the viability and scalability of our model as we look to partner with the city and developers like Structured to create homeownership opportunities for low- and middle-income households that, until now, have been severely underserved.”

Priced from $245,000, the Harrison Row Townhomes are created under Chicago’s Affordable Requirements Ordinance (ARO). As they are built in phases over the course of the year, buyers will be sourced through the Chicago Community Land Trust, a nonprofit that seeks to preserve the long-term affordability of ARO homes. The Harrison Row Townhomes will be reserved for households earning up to 120% of the Area Median Income, and under the ARO, they are required to remain affordable for at least 30 years.

A rendering of the future townhomes

A rendering of the future townhomes

“Teachers, police officers, firefighters, healthcare professionals, factory workers — they form the backbone of our city, yet they typically struggle to find affordable workforce housing. Ironically, their income levels disqualify them for low-income housing options, yet they don’t earn enough to afford market-rate homes, especially those that are newly constructed and large enough to accommodate a family,” said Mike Drew, the founding principal of Structured Development. “Harrison Row will give more people the opportunity to achieve the dream of homeownership, putting down roots in the community and building equity from the day they close.”

Structured Development is collaborating with Fain’s Development LLC, a local development firm led by Garfield Park natives Kevin Brinson and Quentin “Q” Addison, on the additions. After receiving mentorship during the first phase of Harrison Row construction, Fain’s is now an official phase two partner. A third phase is also in the works, which would bring the total number of completed units to, roughly, 45.

The Harrison Row townhomes are being listed exclusively by Annette Shelton of Coldwell Banker Realty.

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