687-689 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago
technical data · neighborhood and transit
Quick answers
- Does 687-689 North Milwaukee Avenue have open permits or code violations?
- Chicago Department of Buildings lists 29 permits, 20 not closed, and 16 violations, 5 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 687-689 North Milwaukee Avenue at risk for?
- FEMA's National Risk Index rates the area relatively moderate overall, with elevated tornado and cold wave risk.
Permits and code violations
20 permits not closed out. Unfinished permits pass to the next owner. 5 open violations.
- Permit - renovation/alteration Jun 2026Active
Self certification for first time interior fit-out for a new 3335sf veterinary clinic use.
- Permit - elevator equipment Jun 2025
Installation of one(1) 3500lb capacity, 6-floor, 150fpm, passenger elevator, pursuant to the scope of work plans submitted.
- Permit – express permit program May 2025Active
Fire alarm: new system. associated building permit:101032523. affects: 40 dwelling units; 1 non-residential units. high-rise building: no. voice communication: no. special locking: no. monitoring type: supervising station . specific location: basement through roof.
- Permit – express permit program Sep 2024Complete
Revision to permit no 101032523 to change general contractor
- Permit – express permit program Aug 2024Complete
Revision to permit #101032523. change of owner and electrical , mason , plumbing , hvac contractors.
- Permit – express permit program Aug 2024Complete
Revision to permit #101032523. to change mason contractor and owner
- Permit - signs Jun 2024
Sign that reads " south loop loft"
- Permit - new construction Feb 2024Active
Dds 2019 ccc: construction of new 5 story with basement 34 unit residential building with ground floor parking and commercial space, and basement parking. type iii-a construction at floors 2-5 and type i-a at ground floor and basement. 32 interior parking spaces and 2 exterior parking spaces. 34 bike spaces provided. building is fully sprinklered. consultant reviewer: v3 companies of il
- Permit - renovation/alteration Mar 2022Expired
Self-cert cbc: commercial build-out for exiting retail space at 1st floor level only as per architect's plans in existing 4 story brick building with basement.the scope of work includes:architecture, accessibility, fire prevention, electric, plumbing & mep. current and proposed use at ground level only: retail space
- Permit - easy permit process Mar 2021
Units 204 & 303 only: remove & replace kitchen cabinets and hardwood floors (no structural; no plumbing work; no layout alterations)
- Permit - elevator equipment Sep 2020
Perform city of chicago fire service mandate upgrade on one(1) 2000lb capacity, 4-floor, 100fpm, roped-hydraulic, passenger elevator, pursuant to the scope of work submitted.(105706) only elevator
- Permit - renovation/alteration Aug 2020Complete
Renovation of existing 4 story mixed-use building, class e at ground floor, and 5 residential dwelling units at 2nd-4th floors, work on 4th floor only converting from 1 to 2 units on 4th floor with 6 total res. units in building for type iii-b construction building w/ exterior parking per plans no change in occupancy. **certified plans corrections: conditional permit subject to field inspections **
Chicago Department of Buildings
Safety and environment
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Highest for this area: tornado, cold wave. These drive insurance cost here.
FEMA National Risk Index, census tract
Leaking fuel tanks
21 within 1,650 ft
Nearest: Zivkovic Development Corp., 449 North Green St. (1,650 ft), open. 1 still open. Ask whether groundwater or soil vapor testing was done.
EPA UST Finder, leaking underground storage tank releases
Brownfield site
300 ft
951 W Huron. Former industrial land in EPA's cleanup and reuse program.
EPA ACRES Brownfields
Toxic release facility
1,300 ft
Vcna Prairie Llc Yard 1032 and 28 more within a mile. Reports chemical releases to air, water or land to EPA each year.
EPA Toxics Release Inventory
Historic listing nearby
350 ft
Smith, J. P., Shoe Company Plant. Exterior changes can need preservation review; listed buildings can qualify for rehabilitation tax credits.
National Park Service, National Register
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
1,800 ft
Ogden Int High School (1,800 ft), Noble St Chtr Rauner College Prep (2,650 ft), Noble St Chtr-Golder College Prep (3,450 ft). Confirm the assigned school with the district.
U.S. Department of Education, NCES
Major airport
9.0 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
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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 Milwaukee Avenue
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.
- Knock on a neighboring door and ask two things: what bothers them most often, and what work is planned for the building.
- 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.
- Look at the stairwell (cleanliness, smell) and the association's notice board: unpaid dues, conflicts, recent decisions.
- 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.
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