Grand Opening of Westhaven Park Station Celebrates Two Decades of Collaboration on Chicago's Near West Side

CHICAGO, IL — November 19, 2025 — City officials, residents, representatives from the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA), Brinshore Development, and The Michaels Organization gathered today to celebrate the ribbon cutting of Westhaven Park Station, the seventh and final phase of new affordable rental housing that has transformed the former site of the Henry Horner public housing complex.

Located at 145 N. Damen Ave., Westhaven Park Station completes a two-decade effort to replace the former public housing units and create a thriving, mixed-income neighborhood. The new development provides high-quality, market-rate, and affordable housing options with convenient access to downtown Chicago, nearby schools, parks, and the newly constructed CTA Green Line Station.

“With the completion of Westhaven Park Station, CHA and our partners have created 643 new homes in this community, including 275 apartments that are subsidized by CHA,” said CHA Operating Chairman Matthew Brewer. “This is an incredible example of what can be accomplished when the public and private sectors join together to get things done. Westhaven Park also illustrates CHA’s commitment to creating mixed-income communities that provide great housing options for everyone - including families who need housing assistance - while also anchoring the redevelopment of an entire community.”

“Westhaven Park Station marks the achievement of a decades long partnership, vision, and commitment to this community,” said Richard Sciortino, Co-founding Principal at Brinshore Development. “This phase is more than housing, it’s about creating an inclusive, connected neighborhood where residents have access to opportunity, transportation, and a true sense of belonging. We’re honored to have worked with the City of Chicago, CHA, and our partners to help Chicago’s Near West Side become stronger and more equitable.”  

“The Chicago Transit Authority’s development of the Green Line station at Damen and Lake is a game changer for the neighborhood and Brinshore and Michaels are proud to be part of that change.  Westhaven Park Station, as an equitable transit-oriented housing development, is the future of housing in Chicago.  Our residents will enjoy the benefits of a lower cost of living, healthy lifestyles and a walkable community,” said Greg Olson, Michaels’ Regional Vice President of Development.

Westhaven Park Station features 96 units within a contemporary building that includes approximately 4,300 square feet of retail space, 3,000 square feet of amenity areas, and an on-site management office. The community serves a diverse range of residents, with 38 units designated for CHA households, 25 affordable units for families earning up to 60% of the area median income, and 33 market-rate apartments.

Each home includes modern features like stainless-steel appliances, in-unit washers and dryers, and vinyl plank flooring. Residents enjoy access to a fitness center, community room, outdoor terrace, and indoor bike storage. As a transit-oriented development, Westhaven Park Station supports sustainable, connected living with direct access to public transportation and nearby educational, cultural, and recreational destinations.

The $50 million development was made possible through a combination of public and private financing. The City of Chicago’s Department of Housing issued $26.8 million in tax-exempt bonds and contributed multiple sources of funding, including TIF assistance, a HOME loan, CRF funds, and Low-Income Housing and Donation Tax Credits. The Chicago Housing Authority donated the land and provided $12.1 million in soft funding, in addition to facilitating one of the nation’s first Faircloth-to-RAD transactions to ensure long-term affordability for returning residents.

Financing partners include BMO Harris Bank as the construction lender, JPMorgan Chase Bank as the permanent lender, and Richman Capital, which syndicated the tax credits to generate $12.7 million in equity. Better Tomorrows supports the Donation Tax Credits and will continue providing on-site resident services.

The project team includes LBBA as the architect and a joint venture between McShane Construction Co. and Ashlaur Construction as general contractors. Property management is handled by Michaels Management.

The completion of Westhaven Park Station brings the total number of homes within the Westhaven Park community to 843, including both rental and for-sale units, with 370 units designated as CHA replacement housing for Henry Horner Homes residents. The development serves as a testament to the power of partnership, showcasing how collaboration can create vibrant, inclusive neighborhoods that connect residents to opportunity and support every aspect of daily life.

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