The City of Chicago selected Team Pioneros, a 100% Latino project team, led by JGMA, Park Row Development with All Construction Group, to redevelop the landmark Pioneer Bank Building located at the northwest corner of North Avenue and Pulaski Road in Humboldt Park.
Credit by: JGMA
The CAD53.9-million proposal will rehabilitate the vacant landmark bank building and parking lot with affordable housing, an entrepreneurial incubator space, a Latino cultural centre, and office space. JGMA has committed to relocate River North office headquarters to the Humboldt Park development to become the anchor tenant.
The 0.75-acre parking lot north of the bank is planned to be redeveloped with a nine-story, 100% affordable, 75-unit residential building; offices for Humboldt Park Family Health; and a potential library branch. The announcement was made by Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot during the celebration of the two-year anniversary of INVEST South/West, the Mayor’s unprecedented revitalisation strategy for 10 historically disadvantaged West and South Side communities.
“The Team Pioneros INVEST South/West Landmark Pioneer Bank project in Humboldt Park is not only pioneering for Chicago, it is pioneering for an entire industry as one hundred percent of our teams consist of Latino and Latina owned firms in development, construction, design, and engineering, all coming together to work on a transformational community project,” said Juan Gabriel Moreno, President, JGMA. “We at JGMA are truly inspired by the entire notion and premise of the INVEST South/West program and, as a personal commitment to the site, we will relocate our offices from River North to Humboldt Park to become the anchor tenant. Thank you, Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the City of Chicago, for selecting the momentum changing Team Pioneros, and together celebrating our commitment to the City of Chicago and the Humboldt Park community.”
“Together, we are not new to the Humboldt Park Community. This team has worked for decades on over 30 projects for Chicago’s Latino community, reinforcing our lifelong commitment to the City of Chicago,” said Luis Puig, Principal, Park Row Development, LLC. “Our project is intended to be a cultural destination that places significant attention on the Landmark Pioneer Bank building, creating a continuum of its history while acknowledging the cultural significance and contributions of the surrounding community.
Launched in the fall of 2019, Mayor Lightfoot capped the initiative’s two-year anniversary at the South Shore Cultural Center by announcing CAD126-million in additional community improvements, including the planned rehabilitation of the landmark Pioneer Bank building in Humboldt Park; a transit-oriented mixed-use complex in South Shore; and a mixed-income housing project in West Humboldt Park.
Technical Sheet
Official Project Name: INVEST SOUTH/WEST Humboldt Park (North Ave. & Pulaski)
Project Design Principal: Juan Moreno
Project Development Team: Park Row Development LLC, ALL Construction Group, Moreno Architects Ltd dba JGMA
Project sector: Residential & Commercial
Project Expected Cost / Budget: CAD52.5- million
About JGMA
Credit by: JGMA
JGMA is a progressive architecture and design practice committed to active community involvement and the enrichment of peoples’ lives through the attentive and dynamic organisation of space and materiality. We understand that quality design has a unique ability to influence civic life and transform communities.
We proudly consider ourselves innovators in the field of architecture and are dedicated to formulating consistently unique solutions to every design opportunity. Our work is conceptually driven, but exhibits the highest level of quality at every stage of design, construction, and occupancy.
JGMA is led by the firm’s president, Juan Gabriel Moreno, and is supported by a talented team of experienced architectural professionals. While cultivating the aforementioned ideals, and after struggling within other firms to realise them, Mr Moreno was compelled to strike out on his own to pursue them. Founded in 2010, JGMA was built on a groundwork that champions comprehensive investment in ideas and ideals.
