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Chicago

2120 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago

Commercial buildingChess Studio

technical data · neighborhood and transit

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Quick answers

Does 2120 South Michigan Avenue have open permits or code violations?
Chicago Department of Buildings lists 10 permits, 3 not closed, and 46 violations, 34 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 2120 South Michigan Avenue at risk for?
FEMA's National Risk Index rates the area relatively high overall, with elevated tornado and inland flooding risk.

Permits and code violations

3 permits not closed out. Unfinished permits pass to the next owner. 34 open violations.

  1. Permit – express permit program Dec 2025Active

    Purpose: new/replacement installation. chain link fence - 6'-0' ' (height) x 14'-0' ' (length). location: rear side.

  2. Permit – express permit program Dec 2025Active

    Purpose: new/replacement installation. chain link fence - 4'-0' ' (height) x 14'-0' ' (length). location: rear side.

  3. Permit - new construction Oct 2021Complete

    Permit expires on 12/07/2021 erection starts: 10/7/2021, erection ends: 10/11/2021. self certification. tsmgi - marathon abbott cheer zone tent. 1-40x80 tent. jk rentals, inc.

  4. Permit - new construction Sep 2019Complete

    Permit expires on 11/25/2019 erection starts: 10/10/2019, erection ends: 10/14/2019. tent- tsmgi- reinstate permit 100612871, one day event (10/13/2019), erect one (1) 40 x80 (12mx24m) structure tent, setup 10/10/19 - remove 10/14/19, assembly

  5. Permit - easy permit process Oct 2018

    Tuckpointing west elevation - no structural work - 400 sqft- all work same as existing - public way permit pulled separately

  6. Permit - new construction Sep 2018Complete

    Permit expires on 11/11/2018 erection starts: 10/4/2018, erection ends: 10/8/2018. erection starts: 10/4/2018, erection ends: 10/8/2018. tent- tsmgi- reinstate permit 100612871, one day event (10/07/2018), erect one (1) 40 x80 tent, setup 10/4/18 - remove 10/8/18, assembly

  7. Permit - new construction Sep 2017Complete

    Permit expires on 11/29/2017 erection starts: 10/5/2017, erection ends: 10/9/2017. tent - reinstate permit 100612871, one day event (10/08/2017), erect one (1) 40 x80 tent, setup 10/5/17 - remove 10/9/17, assembly

  8. Permit - new construction Sep 2016Complete

    Permit expires on 11/29/2016 erection starts: 10/7/2016, erection ends: 10/9/2016. tent reinstatement#1 of permit 100612871, blues haven one day event (10/08/2016)erect one (1) 40 x80 tent

  9. Permit - new construction Sep 2015Complete

    Oia '1250 s michigan ave' permit expires on 11/21/2015 erection starts: 10/9/2015, erection ends: 10/12/2015. erect one (1) 40 x 80 tent. blues haven one day event (10/11/2015)

  10. Permit – express permit program Nov 2013Complete

    Repaired emergency lights and exit signs.

Chicago Department of Buildings

Safety and environment

FEMA natural hazard risk

Relatively High

Highest for this area: tornado, inland flooding, heat wave, cold wave. These drive insurance cost here.

FEMA National Risk Index, census tract

Leaking fuel tanks

12 within 1,650 ft

Nearest: Mrr 57 East 21st, Llc, 57 East 21st Street (250 ft), open. 4 still open. Ask whether groundwater or soil vapor testing was done.

EPA UST Finder, leaking underground storage tank releases

Brownfield site

2,100 ft

Chinatown Library and 1 more within half a mile. Former industrial land in EPA's cleanup and reuse program.

EPA ACRES Brownfields

Toxic release facility

1,400 ft

Rr Donnelley Sons Co Chicago Manufacturing Div and 6 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

1,400 ft

National Teachers Elem Academy (1,400 ft), Perspectives Chtr - Joslin Campus (1,500 ft), Graham R Training Center (1,500 ft). Confirm the assigned school with the district.

U.S. Department of Education, NCES

Major airport

8.0 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

Sunlight

How the sun hits 2120 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago

Sunlight at this address
How it works
Building typeCommercial building

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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
Read the Chicago city report →

More on South Michigan Avenue

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Viewing 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 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.
  • Knock on a neighboring door and ask two things: what bothers them most often, and what work is planned for the building.
  • Look at the stairwell (cleanliness, smell) and the association's notice board: unpaid dues, conflicts, recent decisions.
  • Schedule a viewing on a weekday too, between 6:00 and 7:30 PM, the window when the building is busiest: neighbors, parking, elevator.

Neighborhood recommendations are derived from public OpenStreetMap data and may be incomplete. Checking in person is still what matters most.