Construction has reached the structural topping-out milestone for 1221 W. Washington Blvd., a new mixed-use tower rising in Chicago’s Fulton Market neighborhood. Chicago-based developer Focus is leading the project and also serving as general contractor, advancing a multifamily-driven development programmed with residential, retail, and parking components.
The 19-story luxury tower is designed by architecture firm Pappageorge Haymes and is planned to encompass 286,232 square feet. The building features a concrete podium wrapped in a brick facade, with a glass curtain wall extending from the fifth floor through the 19th floor, creating a clear visual distinction between the base and upper residential levels.
Upon completion, 1221 W. Washington Blvd. is expected to deliver 287 apartment units. The residential mix includes studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom rental layouts, positioning the property to serve a range of renter preferences within the Fulton Market area. The building program also calls for approximately 2,700 square feet of ground-floor retail space, offering street-level activation along Washington Boulevard and the potential to support neighborhood-serving or lifestyle-oriented tenants.
Parking has been incorporated into the design, with plans for 110 parking spaces as part of the podium structure. In addition, the development will offer a substantial amenities package, with the project team planning more than 25,000 square feet of amenity space. While specific amenity components were not detailed, the scale of the allocation signals a focus on competitive residential offerings in the market.
Tim Anderson, president and CEO of Focus, noted that limited new supply is coming to Fulton Market and Chicago more broadly, and indicated that the company is eager to bring 1221 Washington to completion to help meet what he described as pent-up apartment demand in the area. The development will be branded simply as 1221.
The project team also includes Luxury Living and Partners by Design, which are contributing to the execution of the property alongside Focus and Pappageorge Haymes. Initial residential deliveries at 1221 are anticipated to begin in January 2027, marking the next major milestone following the recently achieved structural topping out.
