Latino Project Team led by JGMA Redevelops the Project to Provide Affordable Housing and Social Spaces

The City of Chicago selected Team Pioneros, a 100% Latino project team, led by JGMA, Park Row Development with All Construction Group, to redevelop the landmark Pioneer Bank Building located at the northwest corner of North Avenue and Pulaski Road in Humboldt Park. The $53.9 million proposal will rehabilitate the vacant landmark bank building and parking lot with affordable housing, an entrepreneurial incubator space, a Latino cultural center, and office space.

Photo credit: JGMA

The 0.75-acre parking lot north of the bank is planned to be redeveloped with a nine-story, 100 percent affordable, 75-unit residential building; offices for Humboldt Park Family Health; and a potential library branch. The announcement was made by Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot during the celebration of the two-year anniversary of INVEST South/West, the Mayor’s unprecedented revitalization strategy for 10 historically disadvantaged West and South Side communities.

Photo credit: JGMA

The project team consist of Latino and Latina owned firms in development, construction, design, and engineering, all coming together to work on a transformational community project. The team has worked for decades on over 30 projects for Chicago's Latino community. The project is intended to be a cultural destination that places significant attention on the Landmark Pioneer Bank building, creating a continuum of its history while acknowledging the cultural significance and contributions of the surrounding community. Ispired by the entire notion and premise of the INVEST South/West program, JGMA will relocate their offices from River North to Humboldt Park to become the anchor tenant.

Photo credit: JGMA

Launched in the fall of 2019, Mayor Lightfoot capped the initiative’s two-year anniversary at the South Shore Cultural Center by announcing $126 million in additional community improvements, including the planned rehabilitation of the landmark Pioneer Bank building in Humboldt Park; a transit-oriented mixed-use complex in South Shore; and a mixed-income housing project in West Humboldt Park.

Photo credit: JGMA

About JGMA

Found in 2010, JGMA is a progressive architecture and design practice committed to active community involvement and the enrichment of peoples’ lives through the attentive and dynamic organization of space and materiality. JGMA is led by the firm’s president, Juan Gabriel Moreno, and is supported by a talented team of experienced architectural professionals.