A Rogers Park Icon Gets a Second Life: The Historic Werner Brothers Building Is Being Transformed Into 80 Affordable Homes

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Rogers Park · June 5, 2026

One of Rogers Park's most architecturally striking landmarks is on the verge of a stunning comeback. The Chicago Plan Commission has approved plans to restore and redevelop the Werner Brothers Storage Building at 7613 N. Paulina St. — a beloved 1920s structure — into affordable apartments, with an eight-story mixed-use building rising next door on the same site.

The $60 million project will create 80 affordable apartments, directly addressing displacement pressures faced by lower-income and long-term Rogers Park residents. Designed by architect George S. Kingsley, the century-old building is celebrated for its intricate terra cotta facade — so ornate that city reviewers noted the project's architectural drawings don't even do it full justice. The development team has already secured more than

.6 million in low-income housing tax credits, and if City Council gives its final stamp of approval, construction could begin as early as September, with completion targeted for February 2028.

For a neighborhood that has long championed housing equity, this is a milestone worth celebrating. Ald. Maria Hadden (49th Ward) put it plainly: preserving and densifying this site is a rare chance to grow the neighborhood without tearing down its character. Rogers Park neighbors, keep an eye on 49th Ward updates and the City Council calendar — your voice in this process matters. A neighborhood that protects its history while building its future is a neighborhood worth fighting for.

Sources:
1. https://chicago.suntimes.com/real-estate/2026/04/16/rogers-parks-werner-brothers-building-plan-commission-city-approval