er er “The historical Pioneer Arcade building is getting a new shot at life with construction underway on an affordable housing development conversion that’s been two decades in the making.

“Hispanic Housing Development Corporation, a veteran affordable housing development company with several buildings in Humboldt Park, has worked to redevelop the arcade at 1535 N. Pulaski Road for 20 years, said new Executive Director Tony Hernandez.

“Under previous leadership, the company considered multiple redevelopment ideas before sticking with senior housing supported by government subsidies. The project will also restore the facade of the Pioneer Arcade building.

“The former arcade was designed by famed architect Jens Jensen and built in 1925. It once thrived as a bowling alley and billiards hall, regularly hosting private and employer-sponsored league tournaments and citywide competitions.

“It is known as one of Chicago’s ‘grandest urban sports halls,’ with its terra cotta facade imparting ‘the feel of an exotic Spanish palace,’ planning officials said during the landmarking process.

“The $36.22 million redevelopment is bringing 61 government-assisted affordable apartments for older residents earning 30-60 percent of the area median income. Hispanic Housing recently closed on financing after receiving more than $13 million in tax-increment financing in November and closing on the property sale in December, company officials said.

“Ald. Jessie Fuentes (26th), an advocate of affordable housing, said this week that the long-awaited project will bring vibrancy to the Humboldt Park corner, which has struggled with abandonment for years. ‘We’re going to keep the integrity of what the historical landmark has to offer, while bringing this community exactly what it needs: more housing,’ Fuentes said. “’We’re going to take that building that’s been abandoned for so long and make it for dozens of families in there to live. It’s how we continue to prevent gentrification and house people with dignity.’

“A building permit was filed last month, and construction work has started, officials said this week. Work is expected to take a year and three months, with completion around April 2027. The project will add a taller building behind the original facade and one next door on the vacant lot, according to renderings and developers.

“In 2018, the project was proposed to be 72 units when former Mayor Rahm Emanuel was in office. That never moved forward, and the project stalled after not receiving city support in previous years, according to a 2023 Tribune story. It took over five years to finalize the building’s sale because of its building code violations, which are related to its abandonment and deterioration, company officials said. Historic documentation, remediation and building court appearances were part of the process before funding and a closing could be finalized, Hernandez said.” (Parrella-Aureli, Block Club Chicago, 1/7/26)

We’re thrilled that the restoration and adaptive reuse of the Pioneer Arcade is finally moving forward. Preservation Chicago has been working for over a decade to bring about a good outcome for Pioneer Arcade. 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.

Ward Miller attended groundbreaking for the adaptive reuse of Pioneer Arcade on January 6, 2026. Developer and elected officials publicly expressed their appreciation for Ward Miller and Preservation Chicago’s years of dedicated advocacy to help bring about a good outcome for the Pioneer Arcade.

Bravo to Paul Roldan, retired president and CEO of the Hispanic Housing Development Corp., and Tony Hernandez for embracing the historic building and incorporating it into their 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.

A major 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 Block Club Chicago

• Work Begins To Turn Humboldt Park’s Pioneer Arcade Into Affordable Senior Apartments; Designed by architect Jens Jensen, the terra cotta-clad former arcade built in 1925 is a valuable part of Chicago’s immigrant history, Ariel Parrella-Aureli, Block Club Chicago, 1/7/26
• Affordable senior housing breaks ground at 1539 N. Pulaski; The project will convert the Pioneer Arcade into senior apartments with an addition, Lukas Kugler, Urbanize Chicago, 1/8/26
• Financing and full building permit secured for 1539 N. Pulaski; The project will convert the Pioneer Arcade into senior apartments with an addition, Lukas Kugler, Urbanize Chicago, 12/30/25