Old Bones, New Life: Palmer+ Project Breathes Future Into Beloved Two-Flat on Albany

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Palmer Square · February 26, 2026

A neglected two-flat on the corner of Palmer and Albany is getting a second chance — and the team behind it couldn't be more local. Via Chicago, the architecture firm with a studio just two blocks away on Armitage, purchased the historic building in early 2025 and is now deep into a creative restoration that's turning heads across the neighborhood. Dubbed "Palmer+," the project is a rare case of architects putting their own money where their values are, serving simultaneously as designer and developer.

The scope of work is as thoughtful as it is ambitious. The building's distinctive iron spot brick, extra-thin "butter joint" mortar, ornate wood porch columns, and signature powder-blue cornice are all being carefully preserved, while the interiors receive a full modern renovation. Perhaps most notably, a new garden apartment with its own private entry is being reintroduced to the lower level — directly addressing what Via Chicago calls a "very public" loss of 2- and 3-flat buildings in the neighborhood as they're converted into oversized single-family homes. Expected to complete in 2026, the reborn corner of Palmer and Albany stands as a tangible symbol of how Palmer Square can evolve without erasing what makes it special.

Curious neighbors can follow the project's progress through Via Chicago's website at viachicagoarchitects.com. If you care about preserving the character of Palmer Square's historic housing stock, this one is worth watching closely.

Sources:
1. http://www.viachicagoarchitects.com/project-palmer-plus