721 South Western Avenue, Chicago
technical data · neighborhood and transit
Quick answers
- Does 721 South Western Avenue have open permits or code violations?
- Chicago Department of Buildings lists 12 permits, 5 not closed, and 60 violations, 42 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 721 South Western Avenue at risk for?
- FEMA's National Risk Index rates the area relatively low overall, with elevated cold wave risk.
Permits and code violations
5 permits not closed out. Unfinished permits pass to the next owner. 42 open violations.
- Permit – express permit program Oct 2025Active
Tuckpointing and unit masonry repair / replacement: 9000 sq. ft., lintel qty. 12, max. length 5. location: exterior spot tuckpointing at rear & side walls.
- Permit – express permit program Jun 2021Complete
New 200a 1phase 120/240volt service, 4meters,3 apartments and one public. rerour existing circuits to new apartment panels.
- Permit - new construction Jan 2020Complete
Remove and replace existing wood stairs. all work as per plans.
- Permit - renovation/alteration Jul 2019Expired
*self-certified project*. interior renovation of 1st floor: convert exist. retail use to 1 du. *special-use permit approved for residential unit on first floor of b3-3 zoned property.* existing use: mixed-use (retail on 1st floor; 1 du at 2nd floor).proposed use: multi-family, 2 dwelling units residential bldg. new window openings, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, per plans.
- Permit - renovation/alteration Apr 2016Complete
Remove and replace existing rear open wood porch and stairs as per plan.
- Permit - easy permit process Nov 2015
Remove\replace 1,000 sq. ft. of drywall. electrical permit #100623704 11/12/2015.
- Permit – express permit program Nov 2015Complete
Electrical violation
- Permit - easy permit process Jun 2012
Plumbing only: correct plumbing per building violations- all work same as existing
- Permit – express permit program May 2012Complete
Replace faulty metering & distribution equipment on 2nd floor. repair/replace faulty wiring & devices in 2nd floor front apartment.
- Permit - renovation/alteration Nov 2010Complete
Replace rear three story wood porch with new rear three story steel open porch at mixed use masonry building,and relocate electrical service and tuck pointing 400 sq. ft. per plans.
- Permit – express permit program Jan 2009Complete
Installation of low voltage burglar alarm
- Permit - easy permit process Jun 2006
Repair\replace windows, doors, roof gutters, floors, paint, tile (reapirs due to vandalism)
Chicago Department of Buildings
Safety and environment
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Highest for this area: cold wave. These drive insurance cost here.
FEMA National Risk Index, census tract
Leaking fuel tanks
7 within 1,650 ft
Nearest: Deva Development, 732-736 Southwestern Ave. (200 ft), open. 1 still open. Ask whether groundwater or soil vapor testing was done.
EPA UST Finder, leaking underground storage tank releases
Toxic release facility
3,400 ft
Mccormick Flavor Group and 7 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
Irving Elem School (800 ft), Crane Medical Prep HS (1,800 ft), Cook Co Juvenile-Jefferson Alt HS (2,100 ft). Confirm the assigned school with the district.
U.S. Department of Education, NCES
Major airport
6.8 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 South Western 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.