The ARK Entrepreneurial — 2221 S. Lawndale Ave., opening 2028
Rendering: DesignBridge, Ltd
The ARK is restoring a shuttered public school at 2221 S. Lawndale Ave. into a campus for young people — early childhood through young adulthood, on one site. Doors open in 2028.
Paderewski has been closed for years. Rather than build from the ground up, we are bringing a purpose-built school back into use — three floors that already exist, and a new addition for the atrium and the gymnasium.
The building will be fully cleaned and certified before construction begins. That takes a hazard off the block, and it returns a public building to public purpose.
Ground floor for the youngest children. Classrooms and the library above it. Transitional living at the top — because some young people need more than a class, and a pathway only works if there is somewhere to stand while you walk it.
Six early childhood classrooms, offices, a conference room, the kitchen, the gymnasium, and the grand atrium with both entry lobbies.
Six classrooms, a computer lab, the student lounge and resource library, offices and the staff lounge.
Twenty-four single-occupancy transitional living units, the common laundry, and the resident and visitor lounge.
Site advantages: a park across the street, two parking areas, wide setbacks, an existing curb cut, Cermak Road frontage, and utilities already in place.
The campus is a project of roughly $20 million, in two phases. Phase 1 clears and certifies the site. Phase 2 builds the campus. Every gift moves it forward.
Any amount, once or monthly. It goes to the campaign for the new campus.
Donate now →Naming and recognition opportunities are available at the building, program-space and founding-donor levels. We would rather have the conversation than send a brochure.
Start a conversation →A campus takes money, and it takes people. Volunteer with our young people, be an ambassador for the work, or bring what your organization already has — space, programming, a paid placement, an introduction.
Renderings by DesignBridge, Ltd. Details may change as design work continues.
LISC · Xilin Senior Services · McCormick Foundation · Chicago Community Trust · Partner Engineering & Science
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P3 Markets, LLC
DesignBridge, Ltd