Archer Courts Townhomes, Chicago, IL

In the spring of 2000, while the renovation of Phase I was underway, work began on the design of Archer Courts Phase II, a new townhouse development that would occupy the vacant land to the west of the original Archer Courts Phase I buildings. The design connects the original Archer Courts Phase I buildings and the new development through the use of continuing walkways, landscaping themes, and similar building systems.

Construction of Phase II began in September of 2002. Archer Courts Phase II provides forty-three, three story townhouses, each with its own garage and roof deck. In order to maintain affordability, a pre-engineered, load-bearing, precast-concrete panel system was utilized. Shop-fabricated steel window bays, aluminum windows, pre-engineered wood trusses, and precast concrete stairs, in addition to the precast wall panels, comprise a “kit of parts” which has greatly increased the speed of construction, thus keeping the project affordable by decreasing labor time.

Archer Courts Phase II is part of the City of Chicago’s Homestart program, an initiative by Mayor Daley to encourage homeownership by providing funding which encourages the development of slightly below market rate properties. As such, the development provides a mix of market-rate and below market-rate home ownership opportunities along with CHA rental units.