Shovels Hit the Ground at 63rd & Western: West Englewood's $22.5M Housing Development Is Officially Underway

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/West Englewood · April 21, 2026

West Englewood just marked one of its most exciting construction milestones in years. On April 13, community leaders, developers, and neighbors gathered at 6301 S. Western Ave. for the official groundbreaking of a brand-new, five-story affordable housing development — one that promises to transform one of the neighborhood's most visible corners by spring 2027.

Developed by the Southwest Side Organizing Project (SWOP) and Brinshore Development, the $22.5 million project will replace a long-vacant, boarded-up building with 44 one- and two-bedroom apartments, 2,500 square feet of commercial space, a fitness room, and a community room with a kitchen. Local firm Toro Construction — whose founder Luis Vazquez called the project "what real community investment looks like" — will serve as general contractor, with 60 percent of the building prefabricated right here in Chicago using local hires. Alderman Stephanie Coleman (16th Ward) put it plainly: the neighborhood "has not seen major development in 20-plus years," and this project signals that tide is turning. West Englewood native and GoodKids MadCity founder Carlil Pittman called it a transformation "rooted in shared dignity, stability, racial equity and the building of generational wealth."

With its prime location at the gateway between West Englewood and Chicago Lawn, 63rd & Western is poised to become the kind of vital, active corner this community deserves. Want to stay connected as construction gets underway? Follow updates at swopchicago.org and ragenglewood.org.

Sources:
1. https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/04/14/44-unit-affordable-housing-development-to-open-in-west-englewood-by-2027/