So far this year residential construction starts activity in the Chicago-Naperville-Joliet metro is up noticeably on a year-over-year basis.

During the first two months of this year residential construction starts in the metro totaled more than $606 million, up from $312.5 million during the same span last year, according to data from Dodge Data & Analytics.

  • Single-family housing starts are expected to surpass 6,000 this year in the Chicago metro.
  • The city of Chicago has several notable, residential tower projects slated to start this year.
  • Chicago's non-residential construction sector is down on a year-over-year basis.

So far this year, residential construction starts activity in the Chicago-Naperville-Joliet metro is up noticeably on a year-over-year basis.

During the first two months of this year, residential construction starts in the metro totaled more than $606 million, up from $312.5 million during the same span last year, according to data from Dodge Data & Analytics.

[Tweet “Residential construction starts in Chicago totaled more than $600 million during the first two months of 2016.”]

The 94 percent annual rise in residential starts can be attributed to the commencement of several rental and condo towers. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, of the 2,646 residential building permits pulled in the Chicago metro spanning January and February 1,793 were for units within buildings containing five or more units.

Additionally, 781 units were for single-family homes. MetroStudy expects 6,200 to 6,300 single-family housing starts this year in the 12-county Chicagoland region, which would equate to 3 or 4 percent year-over-year growth. The source reports that roughly 35 percent of these starts will be priced under $250,000.

In February alone all residential construction starts totaled $195.5 million, a 13-percent year-over-year rise. During the previous month two high-rise rental projects in the metro accounted for a combined $237 million in starts volume.

Notable upcoming towers in Chicago

In the coming months the metro is slated to see some notable residential groundbreakings. Chicago-based Magellan Development Group and Dalian Wanda Group of China are slated to start a 93-story, mixed-use tower that will feature 405 condos on top of a 12-floor hotel. Once completed the tower will be the third tallest in Chicago.

The first phase of the Riverline development, a five-building, high-rise project, is slated to start this year as crews are currently readying the site for construction.

Overall River North, West Loop, South Loop and Fulton Market will all see several new residential towers break ground this year.

These towers will include a mix of sub 100-unit condo projects and 300-unit-plus rental developments. Developers with upcoming starts include JFJ Development, LG Development, Related Midwest and Wood Partners.

According to Chicago Curbed there are 40 high-rises currently under construction in the city of Chicago, primarily rental and condo projects.

Chicago’s non-residential construction

While the residential sector entered spring on a positive note, construction starts activity within Chicago’s non-residential sector was down.

During the first two months of this year there were $331.7 million of non-residential construction starts, a significant decline from the same time last year when construction starts totaled $1.154 billion. Hotel construction appears to be driving the non-residential sector.

Email Erik Pisor

Show Comments Hide Comments
Sign up for Inman’s Morning Headlines
What you need to know to start your day with all the latest industry developments
By submitting your email address, you agree to receive marketing emails from Inman.
Success!
Thank you for subscribing to Morning Headlines.
Back to top
×
Log in
If you created your account with Google or Facebook
Don't have an account?
Forgot your password?
No Problem

Simply enter the email address you used to create your account and click "Reset Password". You will receive additional instructions via email.

Forgot your username? If so please contact customer support at (510) 658-9252

Password Reset Confirmation

Password Reset Instructions have been sent to

Subscribe to The Weekender
Get the week's leading headlines delivered straight to your inbox.
Top headlines from around the real estate industry. Breaking news as it happens.
15 stories covering tech, special reports, video and opinion.
Unique features from hacker profiles to portal watch and video interviews.
Unique features from hacker profiles to portal watch and video interviews.
It looks like you’re already a Select Member!
To subscribe to exclusive newsletters, visit your email preferences in the account settings.
Up-to-the-minute news and interviews in your inbox, ticket discounts for Inman events and more
1-Step CheckoutPay with a credit card
By continuing, you agree to Inman’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

You will be charged . Your subscription will automatically renew for on . For more details on our payment terms and how to cancel, click here.

Interested in a group subscription?
Finish setting up your subscription
×