Historic Howard Street Landmark Gets a New Life: Werner Brothers Building Wins City Approval for 80 Affordable Homes

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Rogers Park · April 18, 2026

Rogers Park just scored a major win for both historic preservation and affordable housing. On Thursday, April 16, the Chicago Plan Commission gave the green light to a sweeping redevelopment of the Werner Brothers Storage Building at 7613 N. Paulina St. — a significant milestone for a project that neighbors and preservationists have been watching closely for years.

The approved plans call for restoring the landmarked 1920s structure — designed by architect George S. Kingsley and celebrated for its intricate terra cotta facade — and converting it into residential apartments, while a brand-new eight-story mixed-use building rises on the adjacent lot. Together, the two structures will deliver 80 affordable apartments, ranging from studios to three-bedrooms, with ground-floor commercial space adding fresh energy to the Howard and Paulina corridor. The $60 million project draws on a mix of tax credits and financing sources, and if the City Council signs off, construction could break ground as early as September with completion targeted for February 2028.

49th Ward Alderperson Maria Hadden championed the project at Thursday's hearing, noting that opportunities to add density without losing neighborhood character are rare in Rogers Park. For a community that has long fought for affordable housing and historic preservation in equal measure, this one checks both boxes. Stay tuned to RPBA.org for updates as the project moves toward a full City Council vote.

Sources:
1. https://chicago.suntimes.com/real-estate/2026/04/16/rogers-parks-werner-brothers-building-plan-commission-city-approval
2. https://www.chicagoconstructionnews.com/chicago-plan-commission-to-review-rogers-park-mixed-use-redevelopment-proposal-residential-infill-guidelines/