Real Estate Development
Cloud Nine
Small-scale manufacturing storefronts and quality residences — delivered in 2028 to the Soul Coast on 79th Street.
We're doing fine, up here on Cloud Nine.
Mixed-use vanilla boxes and residences coming to the South Shore 79th Street Corridor. A project of the Southeast Chicago Chamber of Commerce.
The Corridor Today
Background
Just the Facts
- 48% vacancy rate along the corridor
- 30 civically-owned properties totaling 93,976 square feet
- 47+ businesses wanted storefronts through Urban League last year
- Real estate is cheap — but properties are in terrible condition
Ch-Ch-Changes
- $22,000,000 streetscaping investment in 2024
- $1,400,000 fiber optic cable installation
- $750,000 public art investment on the corridor
- Obama Presidential Center opening nearby
The Challenge
Why Are 48% of Properties Vacant?
The real estate in the area is cheap. Urban League had over 47 businesses who wanted a storefront in the area last year. So what's the problem?
The properties are in terrible condition. Burned-out interiors, collapsed infrastructure, years of neglect. Businesses want in — but there's nothing move-in ready. The demand exists. The supply doesn't. Cloud Nine changes that.
The Opportunity
The Potential
1.4M+
Annual Visits to the Corridor
228,900
Unique Visitors Per Year
~7
Visits Per Person Per Year
$22M
Streetscaping Investment
$750K
Public Art Already Invested
4 Blocks
Off Stony Island Blvd
Resources include Recast City partnership, multiple revenue streams, and the momentum of over $750,000 in existing public art investment along the corridor.
Our Approach
Elegantly Simple Solutions to Complex Problems
The Southeast Chamber of Commerce accomplishes this by leveraging our resources and partnerships strategically, with a long-term, multi-phase focus.
The Site
Reimagine 1758 E. 79th Street
A pivot from the original location to a more viable, community-requested site. Located directly across from a senior living facility, this community-designated 'sore spot' is the perfect candidate for revitalization.
3
Storefronts
Move-in ready vanilla box retail spaces designed for small-scale manufacturing and local entrepreneurs.
3
Residential Units
Quality housing above the storefronts — adding eyes on the street, increasing safety, and supporting corridor renewal.
Why Here
Why This Site Matters
🏢 Proximity
Senior Living Proximity
Located directly across from a senior living facility — built-in foot traffic and community need.
🎯 Priority
Community Priority
Designated by the community as a 'sore spot' in urgent need of revitalization.
📐 Footprint
Smaller Footprint
Lower construction cost and faster delivery timeline than the original site.
🔥 Momentum
Corridor Momentum
Builds on $22M streetscaping and existing public art to catalyze 79th Street renewal.
Funding
Budget Breakdown
DCEO
$500K
Capital Grant
CCT
$100K
Pre-Development Grant
Private Investment & NMTC
$1.5M
Target
Public Investment
$750K
Target
Local-Based Lender
$1M
Financing
Impact
Key Benefits
01
Restoring Retail
Three move-in ready storefronts designed for small-scale manufacturing — filling the gap between demand and supply on the corridor.
02
Quality Housing
Three residential units above the storefronts, adding density, safety, and vitality to a block that needs it.
03
Local Entrepreneurship
Purpose-built for the 47+ businesses actively seeking space in the area — affordable, accessible, and ready to go.
04
Corridor Catalyst
Builds momentum along the 79th Street commercial corridor, complementing $22M in streetscaping and existing public art.
In the News
79th Street in the Press
"Max Sansing's 'Culture is Power' mural is reborn on the South Side — restored and reimagined across from the Avalon Regal Theater."
— Chicago Sun-Times, Oct 2023
"New 79th Street Murals Beautify Vacant Lot In South Shore: 'These Are Our Pyramids … Our Great Statues Of Rome.'"
— Block Club Chicago, July 2019
"Chicago Artists Team Up To Create Unity Mural On 79th Street — nine mural artists began work across from the Avalon Regal Theater."
— Block Club Chicago, June 2020
Get Involved
We Need Your Support
Cloud Nine is a community-identified priority. Whether you're an investor, a potential tenant, or a partner organization — we want to hear from you.
info@southeastchgochamber.org · (773) 531-2925
8334 S. Stony Island Ave, Chicago, IL 60617