1640 North Wells Street, Chicago
technical data · neighborhood and transit
Quick answers
- Does 1640 North Wells Street have open permits or code violations?
- Chicago Department of Buildings lists 60 permits, 31 not closed, and 47 violations, 7 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 1640 North Wells Street at risk for?
- FEMA's National Risk Index rates the area relatively low overall, with elevated tornado and heat wave risk.
Permits and code violations
31 permits not closed out. Unfinished permits pass to the next owner. 7 open violations.
- Permit – express permit program Jun 2026Complete
Line voltage electrical work. new permanent 125 amp service disconnecting means with 16 circuits. receptacle outlets: 5 . lighting outlets: 3. specific location: unit# 607: kitchen, bathroom.
- Permit – express permit program Sep 2025Active
Temporary scaffolding: qty: 1, max. length: 60 ft., max. height: 340 ft. location: north east and west elevation. permit expiration date: 365 days from permit issued date
- Permit – express permit program Sep 2025Active
Repair/replacement affecting 1 systems : 1 single package vertical unit(sigma sdsv-c-3-180-2-f-1dsvaga1sap000000) . electrical work under this permit = no . locations: 1 residential unit(s), 0 non-residential unit(s), 2nd floor.
- Permit - signs Dec 2024
Wall sign for 1645 n wells st. chicago, il 60614
- Permit - renovation/alteration Dec 2024Complete
Spr 2019 cbc interior renovations and alterations of unit 1601 in multi story, multi unit building.
- Permit – express permit program Aug 2024Complete
Installation of low voltage burglar alarm interior work only # 405168794 job # 124721050
- Permit – express permit program Aug 2024Suspended
Tuckpointing and unit masonry repair / replacement: 100 sq. ft., lintel qty. 0, max. length 0. concrete masonry repair / replacemnt: 25sq. ft., excavation = no. location: all facade elevations.
- Permit – express permit program Aug 2024Complete
Temporary scaffolding: qty: 1, max. length: 160 ft., max. height: 280 ft. location: all facade elevations. permit expiration date: 365 days from permit issued date
- Permit - renovation/alteration May 2024Expired
Spr 2019 cbrc:interior wall & ceiling repairs at 34th floor, replacement of existing domestic water risers, replacement only on floors 1-35, underground relining of drainage, new drainage piping on lower floors per plans (occupancy r-2, type iib construction, 417 residential units and 5 retail units)
- Permit - renovation/alteration Nov 2023Complete
Revision to issued permit 100931620, addition of area well. rev. bubble 3
- Permit - scaffolding Aug 2023
Erect one (1) scaffold dates 08/31/2023 through 08/31/2024
- Permit - renovation/alteration Aug 2023Expired
Residential deck/a2 no change. private wood decks for individual unit owners were initially installed when the building was built, per the original building drawings. the wood decks were recently removed when the roof was replaced and concrete pavers removed and reset. this project is to install aluminum versadeck on top of (and anchored to) the concrete pavers at locations where the original wood decks were located at 31' above grade and reattach existing guardrails.
Chicago Department of Buildings
Safety and environment
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Highest for this area: tornado, heat wave, cold wave. These drive insurance cost here.
FEMA National Risk Index, census tract
Leaking fuel tanks
8 within 1,650 ft
Nearest: Amoco Oil Co. #5934, 140 West North Ave. (600 ft), no further action. Every release here is closed by the state regulator.
EPA UST Finder, leaking underground storage tank releases
Toxic release facility
2,850 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
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
950 ft
LaSalle Elem Language Academy (950 ft), Manierre Elem School (2,150 ft), Franklin Elem Fine Arts Center (2,200 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.