You’ve probably seen them. If you’ve ever sat in traffic where the Kennedy Expressway meets the Chicago River or grabbed a beer at Metropolitan Brewing, those red brick buildings with the weirdly beautiful chimneys are hard to miss. They look like a college campus, honestly. Not like a "project."
Most people drive by the Julia C. Lathrop Homes and think they’re just another part of Chicago’s gentrifying North Side. Or, if they know the history, they think of them as a relic of a failed era of public housing. But the truth is way more complicated than that. These buildings weren't a failure—at least not in the way Cabrini-Green or the Robert Taylor Homes were. They were actually a radical experiment that worked for a really long time.
Why the Julia C. Lathrop Homes aren't what you think
When the Public Works Administration (PWA) broke ground in 1937, they weren't trying to hide the poor. They were trying to create a "garden city." They hired a dream team of architects—Robert De Golyer, Hugh Garden, and even the legendary landscape architect Jens Jensen.
Jensen is the guy who basically invented the "prairie style" of landscaping. He didn't want rows of concrete. He wanted winding paths, native plants, and a massive "Great Lawn." He wanted a place where kids could play without getting hit by a car.
It’s weird to think about now, but the Julia C. Lathrop Homes were actually segregated for white families when they first opened in 1938. By the 50s and 60s, though, it became one of the most diverse, stable, and sought-after public housing developments in the country. People stayed there for decades. It felt like a village, not a warehouse for the
marginalized.
The woman behind the name
Julia Lathrop herself was a powerhouse. She was a Hull House resident and a protégé of Jane Addams. She became the first woman to ever head a federal bureau (the U.S. Children's Bureau) under President Taft.
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She spent her life fighting for children's rights and mental health reform. She didn't just "care"; she used data. She pioneered the first-ever juvenile court system in the U.S. Basically, she believed that if you change someone's environment, you change their life. The homes named after her were supposed to be the physical embodiment of that belief.
The slow decline and the "Plan for Transformation"
Things got messy in the 90s. The Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) launched the "Plan for Transformation." The idea was to tear down the high-rises and move people into mixed-income communities.
At Lathrop, they didn't tear it all down, but they let it rot.
They stopped leasing units. They boarded up windows. By 2014, almost 800 of the 925 units were empty. It felt like a ghost town. Preservationists and residents fought like hell to save it. They argued that these buildings were literally "fire-safe"—built with concrete and steel that could last 500 years.
Eventually, a compromise was reached. The north side of the campus would be preserved and renovated, while the south side would see a mix of new construction and rehabilitation.
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Where things stand right now (2026)
If you walk through the site today, you’re seeing the result of Phase 1 and Phase 1B. It’s stunning, frankly. The brickwork has been restored to that original deep red. The limestone portals are clean.
But here’s the rub:
The "mixed-income" model is controversial. As of early 2026, the project is pushing toward completion of Phase 1C on the south campus. While it looks beautiful, housing advocates like the JCUA (Jewish Council on Urban Affairs) have pointed out a major issue: the number of actual public housing units has dropped significantly.
- Originally: 925 units (all public)
- The New Vision: Roughly 1,116 units total
- The Breakdown:
- About 494 market-rate units (luxury prices)
- About 212 affordable units
- Only about 400 public housing units
People are worried. It’s the classic Chicago story—revitalization that looks great on Instagram but leaves the original residents behind.
What it’s like to live there today
It’s a bizarre mix of worlds. You have young professionals paying $2,500 for a one-bedroom next door to families who have been in public housing for three generations.
The amenities are wild compared to the old days:
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- A half-mile riverwalk with a kayak launch.
- A "Great Lawn" that looks like it belongs in a private park.
- High-efficiency HVAC systems and LEED Gold certification.
- In-unit laundry (a huge deal for anyone who lived there in the 70s).
The architecture is still the star. The "T" building and the "S03" building have been saved. They kept the original glazed block stairwells and the unique finials on the roofs. It still feels like a campus.
Actionable insights for the curious
If you’re interested in the Julia C. Lathrop Homes, don't just read about them. Go see them. But do it with a bit of perspective.
1. Take a walk on the Riverwalk
Start at the north end near Diversey. The riverfront used to be industrial and polluted. Now, it’s one of the best public spaces on the North Side. Look for the "Great Lawn." It was designed to pull the community toward the water.
2. Spot the architecture
Look for the limestone entryways. Each one has a slightly different Art Deco or Georgian Revival flair. Notice how the buildings are angled. They aren't on a grid. They’re turned to catch the sunlight and create private courtyards.
3. Support the remaining residents
Groups like the Lathrop Heritage Committee and Palenque LSNA are still active. They’re the ones making sure the CHA keeps its promises about the remaining public units. If you want to understand the "soul" of the place, talk to the people who fought to keep the wrecking balls away in 2006.
The Julia C. Lathrop Homes represent a crossroads. They are a victory for historic preservation and a cautionary tale for urban planning. We saved the bricks, but the struggle to save the community is still very much alive.
Next Steps for You
- Visit the Site: Park near Clybourn and Diversey and walk the new river trail to see Jensen's landscape vision in person.
- Research the CHA Waiting List: If you or someone you know is looking for affordable housing, check the current status of the Lathrop site-based waiting list via the Chicago Housing Authority portal.
- Check out Landmarks Illinois: Read their 2020 report on the Driehaus Foundation Preservation Awards to see the "before and after" photos of the masonry restoration.