1634-1644 East 53rd Street, Chicago
technical data · neighborhood and transit
Quick answers
- Does 1634-1644 East 53rd Street have open permits or code violations?
- Chicago Department of Buildings lists 17 permits, 8 not closed, and 60 violations, 10 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 1634-1644 East 53rd Street at risk for?
- FEMA's National Risk Index rates the area relatively low overall, with elevated cold wave risk.
Permits and code violations
8 permits not closed out. Unfinished permits pass to the next owner. 10 open violations.
- Permit – express permit program Apr 2024Complete
Upgrading 60-amp sterilizer to 100-amp. feeds originating from the same panel board and fuse bucket. existing conduit to be used.
- Permit – express permit program Jan 2023Complete
Replace existing (12) pendant light. replace all gfci in the bar area.
- Permit - signs Nov 2022
Athletico physical therapy - wall sign - 2'-5"h x 36'-2"w (87 sqft)
- Permit – express permit program Mar 2021Complete
Installation of burglar alarm job#280651728
- Permit - signs Jul 2020
14 parish new id illuminated channel letterslocation: south elevationsign facing: 53rd streads: 14 parish restaurant
- Permit - signs Feb 2020
Permanent, illuminated wall sign; south elevation
- Permit - new construction Sep 2018Complete
New exterior fin facade on existing two story commercial building
- Permit - renovation/alteration Mar 2018Complete
Self cert: interior build-out of restaurant in existing tenant space of 1-story commercial building, type iii-b construction with a change in occupancy from e-business to f-mercantile.
- Permit - signs Apr 2017
Non-lit blade sign on south elevation
- Permit - signs Apr 2017
Non-lit blade sign on south elevation
- Permit - reinstate revoked pmt Jun 2013
Reinstate permit 100446854 for the second fl office build out and change plumber to sullivan plumbing
- Permit - renovation/alteration Nov 2012Complete
Interior buildout for chiropractic office on 2nd floor per plans
Chicago Department of Buildings
Safety and environment
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Highest for this area: cold wave. These drive insurance cost here.
FEMA National Risk Index, census tract
Leaking fuel tanks
12 within 1,650 ft
Nearest: Hyde Park Station & Car Wash, 5130 South Lake Park Avenue (850 ft), open. 2 still open. Ask whether groundwater or soil vapor testing was done.
EPA UST Finder, leaking underground storage tank releases
Historic listing nearby
200 ft
East Park Towers and 1 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
1,800 ft
Kenwood Academy High School (1,800 ft), Murray Elem Language Academy (2,100 ft), Bret Harte Elem School (2,300 ft). Confirm the assigned school with the district.
U.S. Department of Education, NCES
Major airport
8.7 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 East 53rd Street
All addressesViewing recommendations
What's worth checking in person before deciding.
- The building has commercial space on the ground floor. Ask about their hours, check where the ventilation or refrigeration units are, and what time deliveries happen in the morning.
- Test water pressure and temperature at the tap, in the bathroom and kitchen, for at least a minute.
- 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.
- 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.
- Look at the stairwell (cleanliness, smell) and the association's notice board: unpaid dues, conflicts, recent decisions.
- Knock on a neighboring door and ask two things: what bothers them most often, and what work is planned for the building.
Neighborhood recommendations are derived from public OpenStreetMap data and may be incomplete. Checking in person is still what matters most.