1256-1260 North Wells Street, Chicago
technical data · neighborhood and transit
Quick answers
- Does 1256-1260 North Wells Street have open permits or code violations?
- Chicago Department of Buildings lists 31 permits, 19 not closed, and 37 violations, 18 open.
- What is the 2026 conforming loan limit in Cook County?
- $832,750 for a single-unit home, per FHFA. Larger loans are jumbo loans.
- Is radon a problem here?
- EPA radon zone 2, moderate potential.
- What natural disasters is 1256-1260 North Wells Street at risk for?
- FEMA's National Risk Index rates the area relatively moderate overall, with elevated tornado and heat wave risk.
Permits and code violations
19 permits not closed out. Unfinished permits pass to the next owner. 18 open violations.
- Permit – express permit program Sep 2025Suspended
Line voltage electrical work. new permanent 100 amp service disconnecting means with 1 circuits. new permanent 100 amp service disconnecting means with 1 circuits. new permanent 100 amp service disconnecting means with 1 circuits. receptacle outlets: 1 . lighting outlets: 0. specific location: front.
- Permit – express permit program May 2024Suspended
Repair/replacement affecting 1 systems : 5 rooftop packaged unit(york, 5 ton, rooftop) . electrical work under this permit = no . locations: 0 residential unit(s), 0 non-residential unit(s), 1 interior common areas, exterior work, rooftop.
- Permit - easy permit process Aug 2023
Repair drywall in office and paint. exterior: repair knee walls, 2 cornices. cut out all deteriorated areas and install aluminum. rebuild parapet wall at north elevation approx. 20lf. down to roofline only.
- Permit - signs Sep 2020
East elevation: 3' x 4'-6" led illuminated 3 sided blade sign "uproar chicago" on private property.
- Permit - renovation/alteration Aug 2020Complete
Renovate existing restaurant: demo old bar, add two new bars, replace some of the existing light fiixtures, replace damaged floor tiles with new, new paint, patch damaged ceiling and wall areas per plans
- Permit – express permit program May 2020Complete
Install 12 new gfci's, new light fixtures and switches, and power for new 2nd floor bar.
- Permit - easy permit process Apr 2020
Windows (replacement only): qty 4, doors (replacement only): qty 12, tuckpointing - no structural work - 300 sqft, hot water heater (replacement only): qty 1
- Permit – express permit program Mar 2020Complete
Install new dimmer switches, gfci's, and hang light fixtures.
- Permit - easy permit process Feb 2019
Remove and replace 10 ft parapet wall on west, east, south elevations and tuckpoint on each elevation approx 500 sq ft
- Permit - easy permit process Jun 2018
Revision to permit100757097 to change mason contractor to bernard r. halloran
- Permit - easy permit process Apr 2018
Masonry repairs, tuckpoint (no brick replacement). permit to reduce height of existing 8' ft high rear fence/gate to 6 ft high by removing barb wire per building violation- (no structural work) subject to field inspections
- Permit – express permit program Apr 2018Complete
Installation of low voltage burglar alarm interior work only # 4025-78508 job # 95933297
Chicago Department of Buildings
Safety and environment
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Highest for this area: tornado, heat wave, cold wave. These drive insurance cost here.
FEMA National Risk Index, census tract
Leaking fuel tanks
13 within 1,650 ft
Nearest: Marshall 1232, Llc, 1232 North Lasalle Street (600 ft), open. 4 still open. Ask whether groundwater or soil vapor testing was done.
EPA UST Finder, leaking underground storage tank releases
Toxic release facility
950 ft
Oscar Mayer Foods Corp Chicago Plant and 10 more within a mile. Reports chemical releases to air, water or land to EPA each year.
EPA Toxics Release Inventory
Historic listing nearby
50 ft
North Wells Street Historic District and 2 more listings close by. Exterior changes can need preservation review; listed buildings can qualify for rehabilitation tax credits.
National Park Service, National Register
Radon potential
Moderate
Average indoor levels of 2 to 4 pCi/L. EPA still suggests testing ground-floor and basement units.
EPA and USGS Geologic Radon Potential Map
Nearest public schools
450 ft
Franklin Elem Fine Arts Center (450 ft), Payton College Preparatory HS (1,400 ft), Salazar Elem Bilingual Center (1,500 ft). Confirm the assigned school with the district.
U.S. Department of Education, NCES
Sinkhole-prone ground
Limestone karst
The bedrock here (dolostone (dolomite), Silurian) can dissolve and open sinkholes. Ask for a geotechnical report and check whether sinkhole coverage is in the insurance policy.
USGS Karst in the United States (OFR 2014-1156)
Conforming loan limit 2026
$832,750
Cook County. Mortgages up to this amount qualify for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pricing. Above it, the loan is a jumbo with stricter terms.
FHFA Conforming Loan Limit Values, one-unit
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Who lives and works in Chicago
Trading floors, logistics and the deepest architecture stock in America
Chicago carries a full corporate economy at a price the coasts do not match. Neighborhoods are distinct and walkable, two and three flats are everywhere, and the Loop still sets the commute for finance, law and consulting.
- $71,673
- median household income
- 18.9%
- residents aged 25 to 34
- 45%
- households that own their home
What pays the bills
- Finance and trading
- Logistics and rail
- Law and consulting
- Healthcare
- Manufacturing
Who anchors the economy
CME Group · Boeing suppliers · University of Chicago · Northwestern Medicine · United Airlines
The market is shaped around
- Young professionals
- Families buying space
- Two and three flat owners
More on North Wells Street
All addressesViewing recommendations
What's worth checking in person before deciding.
- Test water pressure and temperature at the tap, in the bathroom and kitchen, for at least a minute.
- Look at the stairwell (cleanliness, smell) and the association's notice board: unpaid dues, conflicts, recent decisions.
- Schedule a viewing on a weekday too, between 6:00 and 7:30 PM, the window when the building is busiest: neighbors, parking, elevator.
- Knock on a neighboring door and ask two things: what bothers them most often, and what work is planned for the building.
- Ask specifically where you'd park: is there paid city parking, who currently holds it, what the permit costs, and how long the waitlist is.
- Ask for the latest maintenance bill from a winter month, not a summer one: that's where the real cost of living there shows up.
Neighborhood recommendations are derived from public OpenStreetMap data and may be incomplete. Checking in person is still what matters most.
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