The Foglia Residences at the Chicago Lighthouse provides people who are blind and others with an affordable and accessible place to live in Chicago.
The 76-unit development is believed to be the first project aimed at visually impaired residents to be financed with low-income housing tax credits (LIHTCs). It is also the first multifamily housing community located in the Illinois Medical District, home to four major hospitals and numerous health care-related facilities.
PROJECT DETAILS
DEVELOPERS: Brinshore Development and The Chicago Lighthouse
ARCHITECT: LBBA
GENERAL CONTRACTORS: McShane Construction Co. and Ashlaur Construction
MAJOR FUNDERS: National Equity Fund; Chicago Department of Housing; CIBC; J.P. Morgan; Chicago Housing Authority
Developed by Brinshore Development and The Chicago Lighthouse, Foglia Residences features affordable studio, one-, and two-bedroom units for residents earning no more than 30%, 60% and 80% of the area median income.
“As developers, we have a responsibility to build communities that reflect the full spectrum of the human experience,” says David Brint, co-founding principal of Brinshore. “By prioritizing accessibility from the ground up for those who are blind or visually impaired, we created an environment that respects independence, fosters inclusion and ensures everyone can thrive. Developing The Foglia Residences at The Chicago Lighthouse, a first of its kind development, is not just unique, it’s essential.”
The new community is next to The Chicago Lighthouse, a world-renowned organization serving the blind, visually impaired, disabled, and veteran communities.
Leslie Schwartz
Designed by LBBA with consultation from a visually impaired architect and national experts including the American Foundation for the Blind, the building has a number of features for its residents, including braille signage and wallpaper, controls on lights and windows for light-sensitive residents, talking elevators, contrasting colors and textures in common areas, textured walls and floors, phone-controlled thermostats, and appliances with tactile controls, and thoughtful access control.
It’s fitting that the corner of the $48.1 million development, which combined 9% and 4% LIHTCs, glows in the evening like a lighthouse to make its presence known and serve as a beacon in the community.
