The redevelopment of the Emanuel Congregation campus in Edgewater is moving forward, with plans to add housing and retail space alongside a new synagogue building.
Emanuel Congregation, located at 5959 N. Sheridan Road, has partnered with developer Fern Hill to propose a new vision for the lakefront property. The plan includes two buildings along Sheridan Road: a 12-story U-shaped complex featuring a new synagogue, ground-floor commercial space, and residential units above; and a five-story apartment building across the street at 5948 N. Sheridan Road.
Fern Hill acquired the vacant site across from the synagogue last year for $5 million from Quest Realty, which had previously planned to build 59 apartments on that location. The proposed U-shaped building would replace both the existing synagogue and an adjacent home at 5965 N. Sheridan Road if approved by city officials.
Nick Anderson, president of Fern Hill, stated that final details regarding the number of apartments and parking spaces will be determined after further community feedback. He noted that based on requested zoning changes, up to 605 apartments could be constructed between both buildings. The development would also be subject to Chicago’s Affordable Requirements Ordinance, requiring that 20 percent of units be designated as affordable housing if zoning changes are granted.
Alderman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth announced in her weekly newsletter that her office will host a community meeting about the project next month. Community members are invited to share their initial thoughts with her office or review materials from recent meetings online.
The redevelopment stems from Emanuel Congregation’s aim to make better use of its lakefront location and create a facility more suited to its current membership size of about 250 households. The existing synagogue opened in 1955 when there were plans for DuSable Lake Shore Drive to extend north past Hollywood Avenue into the suburbs—a project that was ultimately not completed. As a result, much of the current building was designed without windows facing Lake Michigan due to anticipated highway noise.
Andrew Degenholtz, executive committee member at Emanuel Congregation, explained that their current 35,000-square-foot facility is too large and costly for present needs. Renderings indicate that the new synagogue would occupy two floors within the proposed structure and include spaces such as a sanctuary, chapel, social halls, kitchen, offices, and classrooms.
Anderson said incorporating residential units into the project helps finance construction of the new worship space.
