1808 North Wells Street, Chicago
technical data · neighborhood and transit
Quick answers
- Does 1808 North Wells Street have open permits or code violations?
- Chicago Department of Buildings lists 11 permits, 4 not closed, and 13 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 1808 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
4 permits not closed out. Unfinished permits pass to the next owner. 7 open violations.
- Permit - renovation/alteration Aug 2025Complete
Yoga studio - tenant improvement of an existing tenant space, work to include non-bearing interior partitions, millwork, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical.
- Permit - renovation/alteration Oct 2024Complete
Self-cert 2019 cbrc: interior alterations only to existing vacant retail tenant space to accommodate new physical therapy center (business occupancy) tenant. scope includes demolition and construction of partitions, mechanical, electrical and plumbing. construction type iiia.
- Permit - renovation/alteration Oct 2024Suspended
Spr - 2019 cbc - interior alteration to convert first floorretail space to cafe at existing 3-story mixed use masonrybuilding w/ basement(occupancy class b, construction type iiia)
- Permit - renovation/alteration Aug 2024Expired
Emergency removal and replacement of existing exterior facade wall of the existing 4 story 18 dwelling unit building currently under construction per permit 100955598 (occ r2, m, s2 )
- Permit - renovation/alteration Jun 2024Complete
Spr 2019 cbrc- 2nd revision to permit 100955598 to make 1818 entrance door more accessible. revision to change fire rated assembly of building columns, floor, and roof. revisions to correct the as-built condition of the metal stair on the 3rd floor. electrical revision to change from copper conductors to aluminum conductors where indicated on riser diagram. (occ r2, m, s2)
- Permit - renovation/alteration Nov 2023Complete
Spr 2019 cbrc - revision to permit 100955598 to the issued building permit that includes modifications to egress, preservation of existing interior features, updated wall and floor assemblies, revised plumbing drawings, and replacement of historic windows as per plans.**certified corrections subject to field inspections & audit **
- Permit - elevator equipment Oct 2023
Installation of one(1) 2500lb capacity, 6-floor, 150fpm, passenger elevator, pursuant to the work plans submitted.
- Permit - scaffolding May 2023
Erect one (1) scaffold date 05/04/2023 through 05/04/2024
- Permit – express permit program May 2023Complete
**fire alarm permit***fire alarm permit* installation of an addressable fire alarm system, in an existing 4-storied fully sprinklered multi-use occupancy building.
- Permit - renovation/alteration Nov 2022Complete
Gut rehab of 4 existing buildings and addition combining all structures as one principal 4-story structure to include 18 dwelling units, retail spaces and parking. conversion from 8 to 18 dwelling units. [construction type iii-b, 4 story] (conditional permit subject to field inspections)
- Permit - renovation/alteration Oct 2021Complete
Interior demolition of existing interior finishes, non load bearing walls and removal of all appliances in existing 1st, 2nd and 3rd levels and coach house at 1810-1820 n wells. no structural work.
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
3 within 1,650 ft
Nearest: Amoco Oil Co. #5934, 140 West North Ave. (1,500 ft), no further action. Every release here is closed by the state regulator.
EPA UST Finder, leaking underground storage tank releases
Toxic release facility
3,800 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
850 ft
LaSalle Elem Language Academy (850 ft), Manierre Elem School (2,900 ft), Newberry Elem Math & Science Acad (3,000 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.