C.A.R. Good Neighbor Awards Honor Real Estate Projects Making an Impact in Communities

A LEED-certified mixed-income development anchoring a $35 million public-private neighborhood revitalization in Evanston is among the winners of this year’s Chicago Association of REALTORS® Good Neighbor Awards. 

A total of 42 properties and seven honorable mentions in residential, mixed-use and commercial real estate categories will be recognized for transforming communities and encouraging a strong sense of civic pride. The awards will be formally presented at a ceremony held from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 22 at The Montgomery Club, 500 W. Superior St., Chicago. 

For more than two decades, C.A.R.’s Good Neighbor Awards have set the standard for the best in urban revitalization, residential design and community development. Winners were selected based on quality construction, service to a special population, care to complement the surrounding neighborhood, market value and architectural significance. 

Winning properties include:
Ping Tom Memorial Park Fieldhouse, 1700 S. Wentworth Ave. 
Top Honoree/Bruce Abrams Award Winner
The Chinese characters expressing “community” etched on its red exterior metal panels exemplify what the Ping Tom Memorial Park Fieldhouse means to Chinatown. Dedicated in October 2013, the 30,000-square-foot fieldhouse has created a place for community engagement. Once home to a vacant railroad yard, the Chicago Park District fieldhouse features a six-lane pool, spacious locker rooms, gymnasium, fitness center and club rooms. 

1601 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago 
A longtime vacant landmark building anchoring the Milwaukee/North/Damen intersection in Wicker Park has been restored as Walgreens’ third flagship store. Celebrating the building’s history, the lower level vault with its cast-iron entrance is featured and the original lockboxes now display vitamin products. 

6417 S. Ingleside Ave., Chicago
A vacant four-bedroom graystone in Woodlawn that served as magnet for crime is no longer endangering its neighbor. It has been restored to its former glory.

2111 W. 47th St., Chicago
The first joint Chicago Public Library and Chicago Public School location offers a full-service public library branch to serve the Back of the Yards community. The college preparatory high school opened for the 2013-2014 school year with space to serve 1,200 students, and all community members have access to the new library.

850 Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
An iconic Lake Shore Drive property underwent a massive rehabilitation. In 1927, 850 Lake Shore Drive opened as the Lake Shore Athletic Club. By the early 2000s, the historic building sat vacant and faced demolition. Today, the building features modern residences with upscale amenities and spectacular views. 

1580 Foster St., Evanston
A LEED-certified mixed-income development anchoring a $35 million public-private neighborhood revitalization in Evanston replaced a vacant, blighted and contaminated light industrial parcel.

For a complete list of winners, click here. To purchase event tickets and for more information, please visit ChicagoREALTOR.com. Advance tickets must be purchased by Tuesday, May 20; a special rate applies to purchase of three or more. 

The Chicago Association of REALTORS® is the “Voice of Real Estate®” in Chicago since 1883, representing nearly 11,000 members from all real estate specialties including commercial sales, development, property management, appraisal, auctions and residential sales.