1700 North Wells Street, Chicago
technical data · neighborhood and transit
Quick answers
- Does 1700 North Wells Street have open permits or code violations?
- Chicago Department of Buildings lists 34 permits, 18 not closed, and 17 violations, 12 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 1700 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
18 permits not closed out. Unfinished permits pass to the next owner. 12 open violations.
- Permit - renovation/alteration Mar 2026Active
Self cert: (1650 n wells st) tenant improvement of an existing business space. new interior partitions, finishes and fixtures. new electrical and lighting systems. new mechanical systems and controls. new toilet plumbing fixtures; as per plans
- Permit - renovation/alteration Aug 2025Active
An existing retail art galley will be converted to a store selling dance related appeal. the store will be left as-is with the addition of 2 fitting rooms. new store fixtures and displays will be added. all electrical, plumbing and hvac will remain unchanged. the existing track light heads will replaced and a chandelier will be added.
- Permit – express permit program May 2025Complete
Tuckpointing and unit masonry repair / replacement: 200 sq. ft., lintel qty. 0, max. length 0. location: rear of the building.
- Permit - signs Mar 2025
Suspended illuminated channel letters reading "chase/logo" in the store front window.
- Permit – express permit program Dec 2024Complete
Nonstructural interior alteration-area of work 500 sq ft: new furred out wall, interior door and new/relocated electrical outlets. locations: 0 residential unit(s), 1 non-residential unit(s), ground floor.
- Permit - renovation/alteration May 2021Complete
Convert existing class e 1,320 sf retail space into a class e hair salon with 5 work stations, 2 shampoo bowls, a new coloring sink, water bottle filler, relocate electrical power outlets and change track lighting fixtures
- Permit - signs May 2021
Truefitt & hillnew id flat signlocation: east elevationsign facing: wells streads:truefitt & fitt barber shop
- Permit - easy permit process Jul 2020
Tuckpointing - no structural work - 1600 sqft - south facade and southeast corner only. all removed masonry to be salvaged and reinstalled. any new masonry to match historic in size, color, texture, and overall appearance.
- Permit - elevator equipment Jul 2020
Installation of one(1) 750lb capacity, 20fpm, savaria v1504 vertical platform lift, pursuant to the scope of work plans submitted.
- Permit – express permit program Jun 2020Complete
Voice and data cabling
- Permit - easy permit process May 2020
Revision to permit#100868625 change gc to redmond's construction corp and plumbing to prospectives plumbing corp.
- Permit - renovation/alteration Apr 2020Complete
Interior renovation for existing space. no chance to occupancy.
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
7 within 1,650 ft
Nearest: Amoco Oil Co. #5934, 140 West North Ave. (750 ft), no further action. Every release here is closed by the state regulator.
EPA UST Finder, leaking underground storage tank releases
Toxic release facility
3,050 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
800 ft
LaSalle Elem Language Academy (800 ft), Manierre Elem School (2,300 ft), Franklin Elem Fine Arts Center (2,400 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.