“The Commission on Chicago Landmarks has approved a $500,000 Adopt-A-Landmark grant for an affordable senior housing development at 1539 N. Pulaski. Planned by the Hispanic Housing Development Corporation, the project will adaptively reuse the former Pioneer Arcade building and build on the adjacent vacant lot to its south.” (Kugler, Urbanize Chicago, 8/18/25)

“Humboldt Park’s landmarked Pioneer Arcade building — once a bowling alley and billiards spot in the 1920s — is closer to becoming a 61-unit-affordable senior housing property.

“The Community Development Commission green-lit the last piece of funding for the project last week, approving $13.2 million in tax increment financing. And if the City Council approves the redevelopment, owner Hispanic Housing Development Corp. said construction will start by Nov. 15, 2025. The developer expects to be voted on a council vote in October.

“The century-old building, at 1539 N. Pulaski Road, is among the list of anticipated redevelopment projects in Humboldt Park, including the revival of the old Pioneer Trust & Savings Bank nearby and a Teacher’s village residential project at the now closed Von Humboldt Elementary School in 2026, according to the Ald. Jessie Fuentes (26th).

“‘This is not only an opportunity to preserve a historic landmark, it’s an opportunity to house families in a community that otherwise may not be able to afford to live here,’ Fuentes said.

“The project has been a long-time coming for Hispanic Housing Development Corp. president and CEO Tony Hernandez, who said the project aims to prevent the displacement of long-term residents and allow them to age in place.

“‘By preserving this sort of architecturally significant facade, we’re preserving some of the history of the immigrant culture of Humboldt Park in the city of Chicago,’ Hernandez said.

“The ivory-colored terra-cotta facade was designed by Danish-born Chicago architect Jens J. Jensen for Greek entrepreneurs who wanted the building to be an elaborate entertainment and social center in Humboldt Park.

“Commercial recreation centers like the Pioneer Arcade are reminiscent of the early 20th century, when bowling and billiards moved out of saloons during the Prohibition to family-friendly venues. The building received its landmark status in January 2023, after over a decade of sitting vacant.

“According to the developer, the new project will demolish two-thirds of the existing two-story building, with the exception of a portion of its ground floor lobby and the second floor assembly space, both of which will be integrated into the new six-story building.” (Jana, Chicago Sun-Times, 7/14/25)

Bravo to Paul Roldan, president and CEO of the Hispanic Housing Development Corp., for embracing the historic building and incorporating it into his larger new construction affordable housing development. We applaud the Chicago Department of Planning and Development for supporting the Chicago Landmark designation. And we applaud the City of Chicago for allocating TIF funds to support the adaptive reuse of the important building.

We’re thrilled that the restoration and adaptive reuse of the Pioneer Arcade is finally moving forward. We’ve been in communication with stakeholders for over 10 years during an extended period of vacancy. The Pioneer Arcade was a Chicago 7 Most Endangered in 2015, and we made many efforts over the years to advocate for the protection and restoration of the building.

A significant positive milestone was on December 8, 2022 when the Pioneer Arcade received Final Chicago Landmark Designation approval. This protection was long-overdue and ensured that its beautiful ornate facade would be a celebrated component of the new construction and adaptive reuse project.

Read the full story at the Chicago Sun-Times and Urbanize Chicago

• Humboldt Park’s historic Pioneer Arcade closer to being redeveloped into affordable senior housing; The remodel of the Spanish Baroque Revival-style building into a 61-unit affordable housing complex secured its final funding piece — $13.2 million in tax increment financing, Janani Jana, Chicago Sun-Times, 7/14/25
• Landmarks Commission approves Adopt-A-Landmark grant for development at 1539 N. Pulaski; The project will convert the Pioneer Arcade into senior apartments with an addition, Lukas Kugler, Urbanize Chicago, 8/18/25
• Funding Approved For Pioneer Arcade Redevelopment In Humboldt Park, Ian Achong, Chicago YIMBY, 7/9/25
• Pioneer Arcade affordable housing project in jeopardy as city support wavers, Lizzie Kane, Chicago Tribune, 3/8/23
• Final landmark recommendation approved for Pioneer Arcade, The building will be adaptively reused into senior housing, Lukas Kugler, Urbanize Chicago, 12/15/22
• Preliminary landmark approved for Pioneer Arcade; The building will be part of a new senior housing development, Lukas Kugler, Urbanize Chicago, 11/8/22
• Pioneer Arcade & New Apollo, a Preservation Chicago 2015 Chicago 7 Most Endangered
• Pioneer Arcade Chicago Landmark Designation Report, November 2022
• Awaiting a New Tenant: Pioneer Arcade at North and Pulaski, John Morris, Chicago Patterns, 8/14/14
• A Palace of Pleasure for 1920s Chicago: The Pioneer Arcade (1925), John Cramer, HPRES-IST, 3/25/12