The Sinclair

The Sinclair transformed an underutilized and dilapidated corner parcel in Chicago’s most affluent neighborhood, the Gold Coast, into 390 luxury apartments with the largest green roof and amenity deck in the submarket, while replacing a 29,000 SF, 50 year-old Jewel grocery store with its state-of-the-art 55,000 SF flagship store. As Chicago’s second largest transit-oriented development (TOD), Fifield’s proposed development of the site coincided with the city’s revamp of the long-neglected Clark/Division CTA Red Line station with $37 million. Fifield and Jewel partnered with community residents to advocate for the renovation.

The beautifully appointed residences have kitchen layouts inspired by renowned interior and kitchen designer Mick De Giulio. The Sinclair offers 45,000 SF of indoor and outdoor amenity space, and indoor access to the flagship Jewel. Since opening, more apartment towers have been delivered or started in the vicinity, such as the rundown “Mark Twain Hotel” which is re-tenanting its retail and significantly upgrading its residential units, Old Town Park and the 1201 North Clark office to residential conversion.

Our team considered the interests of the surrounding townhouse and condominium owners regarding traffic, sun and shadow, building placement and minimizing blocked views of the adjacent tower, which led to a long entitlement process. After an extensive market study of the unit mix and layouts, we determined that a mix of studios, convertible, one-, two-, three- and even four-bedrooms would be optimal – and the building was fully leased in less than a year.

Speaking to the Chicago Tribune in 2017, Steve Fifield, CEO of developer Fifield Companies, said The Sinclair’s development was, “…the most arduous effort I’ve experienced in my 40 years of developing in Chicago. And it was worth every effort.”