644-648 East 42nd Street, Chicago
technical data · neighborhood and transit
Quick answers
- Does 644-648 East 42nd Street have open permits or code violations?
- Chicago Department of Buildings lists 17 permits, 10 not closed, and 13 violations, 6 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 644-648 East 42nd Street at risk for?
- FEMA's National Risk Index rates the area relatively low overall, with elevated tornado and cold wave risk.
Permits and code violations
10 permits not closed out. Unfinished permits pass to the next owner. 6 open violations.
- Permit – express permit program Oct 2024Suspended
Repair (26% to 50%) for steel exterior stairway (quantity: 1, location: front of building). landing: 72 square feet. concrete work.
- Permit – express permit program Aug 2023Complete
Revision to original permit #100878380 from voltage systems to stingray electric
- Permit – express permit program Nov 2021Complete
Electrical contractor has changed
- Permit - new construction Dec 2020Expired
Self certification- 2019 cbc - new construction of 2 story with basement v-a construction single family home with rear 1 story wood deck and 2 car frame garage per plans. (r5- type va)
- Permit – express permit program Jun 2020Complete
J&a services name was changed to voltage systems
- Permit - easy permit process Feb 2020
Revision to permit 100863131 to change plumbing contractor to dee plumbing & sewer inc and add gc metropole holdings llc
- Permit - easy permit process Feb 2020
Revision to permit #100863131 to change electrical contractor to j and a services inc
- Permit - reinstate revoked pmt Feb 2020
Reinstate permit#100496862 and revision to change of owner to kpg chicago llc and mason,hvac contractors(electrical on line permit#100496862)
- Permit - easy permit process Feb 2020
Install hardie boards on 3 elevations both sides and rear same as existing.
- Permit - easy permit process Jan 2018
Install hardie boards on 3 elevations both sides and rear. same as existing, no structural, subject to field inspections.
- Permit - reinstate revoked pmt Jul 2015
Reinstate permit 100496862, change owner to soho homes llc, gc to metropole holdings llc, brick mason to jacobson masonry, concrete mason to mcbrearty construction, hvac contractor to schuldt heating and plumber to dee plumbing
- Permit – express permit program Jun 2015Complete
Permit 100496862 change the name of electrical contractor new single family 2 story construction with basement and new frame garage
Chicago Department of Buildings
Safety and environment
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Highest for this area: tornado, cold wave. These drive insurance cost here.
FEMA National Risk Index, census tract
Leaking fuel tanks
2 within 1,650 ft
Nearest: 740 East 41st Street Building Corp., 740 East 41st Street (700 ft), no further action. Every release here is closed by the state regulator.
EPA UST Finder, leaking underground storage tank releases
Brownfield site
1,000 ft
Bronzeville and 1 more within half a mile. Former industrial land in EPA's cleanup and reuse program.
EPA ACRES Brownfields
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
650 ft
James Farmer Jr. Elementary (650 ft), Woodson South Elem School (1,800 ft), Mollison Elem School (2,250 ft). Confirm the assigned school with the district.
U.S. Department of Education, NCES
Major airport
7.7 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 42nd 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.