2 unit with a basement unit

[Wick Ra]

Recently purchased a 2 unit brick building with a basement. Basement is fully finished with 2 door for entry and exit. Ceiling hewing the is around 7 feet. No kitchen. Are they are good architects or builders in Chicago who can help get a zoning certification to make it a legal 3 unit? Thanks! 

[Ned Carey]

@Wick Ra welcome to BP opefuly someone will chme in with an answer.

[Danny Polanski]

@Prashanth Mahakali would be my recommendation for an architect knowledgeable in basement adus. 

[Prashanth Mahakali]

@Danny Polanski Thank you! 

@Wick Ra Congrats on the purchase. There are two ways of getting a basement unit legalized. If the property is within the ADU pilot areas, you can search for city of Chicago's adu program, complete the online form and wait if you get the approval. Upon getting the approval, you can contact an architect to help go through the design and permit process. Remember that even though the existing basement work is already complete (perhaps without a permit) you may have the architect evaluate the layout and show the changes in the drawings so the unit will be compliant.

If its not part of the ADU pilot areas, your best bet is through a zoning change AND a zoning variation, for which you would need a zoning attorney AND an Architect. There are many architects that you can find through the chicagocityscape website that specialize in ADU permits. I am one of them but you always want to talk to more than one architect before you select one.

Hope this information help. Good luck! 

[Wick Ra]

@Danny Polanski thank you for the connect. @Prashanth Mahakali this property is located in the Albany park zip code 60625, I believe it’s in the ADU pilot areas. I plan on changing the layout of the basement as well. I would love to work with you, what’s the best way to reach out? 


Quote from @Prashanth Mahakali:

@Danny Polanski

[Jonathan Klemm]

Hey @Wick Ra - You've go one of the best above with @Prashanth Mahakali, also consider connecting with @Samuel Pavlovcik for another awesome Chicago architect.

We are building a pretty awesome ADU for one of our clients in Logan Square. Happy to connect and discuss the factors and costs.