1531 North Wells Street, Chicago
technical data · neighborhood and transit
Quick answers
- Does 1531 North Wells Street have open permits or code violations?
- Chicago Department of Buildings lists 55 permits, 30 not closed, and 60 violations, 28 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 1531 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
30 permits not closed out. Unfinished permits pass to the next owner. 28 open violations.
- Permit - signs Aug 2025
A wall display alum faces with jig out copy, only copy and logo illuminate white. display mounted to the left of the entrance
- Permit - renovation/alteration Mar 2025Active
Spr 2019 cbc: revision to permit 101037332 to revise toilet room layout, electrical panels, add mechanical work.(conditional permit subject to field inspections)
- Permit - renovation/alteration Feb 2024Complete
New restaurant tenant build-out in existing structure. occupancy classification a-2.
- Permit - easy permit process Nov 2021
Repair & replace sushi bar with new tile, frp & countertops, millwork, doors, flooring, tile, throughout ground floor commercial space to include replacement of plumbing fixtures & associated piping.
- Permit - signs Oct 2020
Bombobarnew id illuminated channel letterslocation: west elevationsign facing: wells streads: bombobar
- Permit - easy permit process Feb 2020
Repair/replace tile flooring over existing floor.
- Permit - signs Jan 2019
Sign 02: double face projecting sign. 72"h x 54"w x 12" depth
- Permit - signs Jan 2018
Sign 01: single face wall sign recessed in opening. 58"h x 147"w
- Permit - signs May 2017
Back-lit channel letters with raceway
- Permit – express permit program May 2017Complete
Low voltage installation
- Permit - easy permit process Feb 2017
Revision to permit #100660525 to add vent contractor(two j's sheet metal work) for 3 stainless steel hoods. subject to field inspections.
- Permit - renovation/alteration Feb 2017Complete
Bowstring truss repairs per plans
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
10 within 1,650 ft
Nearest: Amoco Oil Co. #5934, 140 West North Ave. (450 ft), no further action. Every release here is closed by the state regulator.
EPA UST Finder, leaking underground storage tank releases
Toxic release facility
2,200 ft
Oscar Mayer Foods Corp Chicago Plant and 5 more within a mile. Reports chemical releases to air, water or land to EPA each year.
EPA Toxics Release Inventory
Historic listing nearby
300 ft
Carling Hotel. 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
1,450 ft
Franklin Elem Fine Arts Center (1,450 ft), LaSalle Elem Language Academy (1,650 ft), Manierre Elem School (1,800 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.
- 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.
- 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.
The year built, height regime, structure, and elevator for this address are being indexed right now, city by city. Save the page and check back: it fills in over time. If you live here, you can fill it in yourself in a minute by leaving a review.