1439 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago
technical data · neighborhood and transit
Quick answers
- Does 1439 South Michigan Avenue have open permits or code violations?
- Chicago Department of Buildings lists 22 permits, 13 not closed, and 15 violations.
- 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 1439 South Michigan Avenue at risk for?
- FEMA's National Risk Index rates the area relatively high overall, with elevated tornado and inland flooding risk.
Permits and code violations
13 permits not closed out. Unfinished permits pass to the next owner. No open violations.
- Permit – express permit program Oct 2026Active
Tuckpointing and unit masonry repair / replacement: 850 sq. ft., lintel qty. 0, max. length 0. location: exterior facade.
- Permit – express permit program Dec 2025Complete
Line voltage electrical work. add 4 circuits to existing 200 amp service disconnecting means. receptacle outlets: 2 . lighting outlets: 0. specific location: parking garage and parking lot.
- Permit – express permit program Jul 2025Complete
Line voltage electrical work. new permanent 200 amp service disconnecting means with 4 circuits. receptacle outlets: 2 . lighting outlets: 0. electric vehicle supply equipment:2 spaces. specific location: parking garage and parking lot.
- Permit - easy permit process Apr 2022
Masonary repairs includes parapet wall rebuild(200 lf)outer wythe masonary rebuild(750 sf),tuckpointing(10000 sq ft),limestone repair/replace lintel repair(all under 6').masonary work on north,east,west elevations including the courtyard.
- Permit - scaffolding Mar 2022
Erect five (5) scaffolds dates 03/23/2022 through 03/23/2023
- Permit - easy permit process Jul 2019
Roof tear off and replace on south wing.
- Permit - easy permit process Feb 2018
Unit #203 - interior remodel: kitchen cabinets. replacement of bathroom and kitchen plumbing fixtures with associated piping.electrical perm#100746494 all work same as existing. no structural work. all work subject to field inspections.
- Permit – express permit program Feb 2018Complete
Replacing light fixtures in the kitchen, master bathroom & guest room
- Permit - renovation/alteration Feb 2015Complete
This project is an interior kitchen and bath remodel including paint, cabinets, lighting, and new plumbing fixtures and involves no exterior work.
- Permit - renovation/alteration Dec 2014Complete
Lse: parking garage vestibule renovation on west and east side for fire separation purposes in multiple unit building as per architectural plans.
- Permit – express permit program Jun 2014Complete
Installation of one-way & two-way voice communication system per sect.#13-196-204. b,1-6+ph fls. ck#3174909;$500.00.
- Permit - easy permit process Apr 2014
Total roof tear off.
Chicago Department of Buildings
Safety and environment
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively High
Highest for this area: tornado, inland flooding, heat wave, cold wave. These drive insurance cost here.
FEMA National Risk Index, census tract
Leaking fuel tanks
21 within 1,650 ft
Nearest: 51 East 14th Street Development Corp., 1415 South Wabash Avenue (600 ft), open. 3 still open. Ask whether groundwater or soil vapor testing was done.
EPA UST Finder, leaking underground storage tank releases
Toxic release facility
3,900 ft
Rr Donnelley Sons Co Chicago Manufacturing Div and 3 more within a mile. Reports chemical releases to air, water or land to EPA each year.
EPA Toxics Release Inventory
Historic listing nearby
150 ft
St. Luke's Hospital Complex. 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
2,000 ft
South Loop Elem School (2,000 ft), Perspectives Chtr - Joslin Campus (2,700 ft), Jones College Prep High School (4,050 ft). Confirm the assigned school with the district.
U.S. Department of Education, NCES
Major airport
8.4 mi
Chicago Midway (MDW). Aircraft may be audible under approach paths.
FAA large-hub airports
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 South Michigan Avenue
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Schedule a viewing on a weekday too, between 6:00 and 7:30 PM, the window when the building is busiest: neighbors, parking, elevator.
- Look at the stairwell (cleanliness, smell) and the association's notice board: unpaid dues, conflicts, recent decisions.
Neighborhood recommendations are derived from public OpenStreetMap data and may be incomplete. Checking in person is still what matters most.