Julep West Loop Breaks Ground on 25-Storey Mixed-Use Tower

Construction is officially underway on Julep West Loop, a new 25-story mixed-use residential development that will bring 380 apartments and more than 21,500 square feet of commercial space to Chicago's West Loop.

Fengate Asset Management and Mavrek Development recently celebrated the groundbreaking for the project, marking the start of an approximately 21-month construction schedule.

Skender is serving as general contractor and will lead construction through 2028.

The project is expected to generate approximately 740,000 hours of union construction labor and $69 million in income for Chicago's union construction workforce between 2026 and 2028.

Yahoo!Finance reports that first occupancy is anticipated in early 2028.

380 Apartments Planned for Julep West Loop

The 25-story development will contain 380 residential units, including:

304 market-rate units
76 affordable units
More than 21,500 square feet of commercial space

The commercial component will be anchored by an international grocery store serving both residents of the development and the surrounding community.

Located between Fulton Market, the Chicago Loop and the Illinois Medical District, the project is positioned near several of the city's largest employment centers as well as transit, retail, restaurants and entertainment.

The development comes as the West Loop continues to experience strong residential demand and substantial redevelopment activity.

Extensive Residential Amenity Package

Julep West Loop will include a substantial collection of indoor and outdoor amenities that will add to the project's construction and interior fit-out requirements.

Planned amenities include:

Rooftop swimming pool
Poolside cabanas
Outdoor fire pits
Fitness center
Pickleball court
Half-court basketball court
Dog run
Dog grooming facilities
Resident lounges
24-hour concierge service
Bicycle storage
EV charging stations

The combination of residential, recreational and commercial components will require contractors working across multiple types of construction and interior spaces.

The rooftop amenities will also involve specialized structural, waterproofing, mechanical, electrical and outdoor finishing work.

More Than 21,500 Square Feet of Commercial Space

In addition to its residential component, Julep West Loop will deliver more than 21,500 square feet of commercial space.

An international grocery store is expected to anchor the commercial portion of the development. The grocery component will create a significant commercial build-out within the larger residential project, with potential requirements for refrigeration, food storage, specialized electrical and mechanical systems, loading and delivery facilities, lighting, flooring, fixtures and other grocery-related infrastructure.

Additional commercial space will further expand the project's opportunities for interior contractors and suppliers as tenants are identified and spaces are prepared for occupancy.

Skender Leading 21-Month Construction Program

Skender is serving as general contractor for Julep West Loop and will oversee construction of the development.

The project is expected to take approximately 21 months to complete, with first occupancy targeted for early 2028.

One of the most notable aspects of the project is the amount of construction employment expected to be generated. Between 2026 and 2028, construction is projected to produce:

Approximately 740,000 union construction labor hours
Approximately $69 million in income for Chicago's union construction workforce

Sustainability Program Part of Construction

Julep West Loop will target National Green Building Standard certification as part of a comprehensive sustainability program.

Planned sustainability features include:

Energy-efficiency strategies
Green roofs
EV-ready infrastructure
Water conservation measures
Stormwater reuse systems
Environmental management practices during construction

These features will create additional coordination requirements for the general contractor and specialty trades. Green roof construction, stormwater reuse and water conservation systems will require integration with the building's roofing, waterproofing, plumbing, drainage and landscaping systems.

EV-ready infrastructure will also require coordination between the electrical contractor, parking-area construction teams and equipment suppliers.

Fengate and Mavrek Partner on Development

Julep West Loop is being developed through a partnership between Fengate Asset Management and Mavrek Development.

Fengate is advancing the project through its Social Opportunities strategy, which focuses on housing, healthcare and logistics investments in the United States and Canada. The investment is supported by an anchor commitment from the LiUNA Pension Fund of Central and Eastern Canada.

Fengate manages more than US$19 billion in assets across infrastructure, private equity and real estate strategies.

Mavrek Development was founded in 2010 and has expanded from luxury single-family construction into urban infill multifamily and mixed-use development throughout Chicago.

Construction Trades Involved

With construction now underway, Julep West Loop represents an active opportunity for a broad range of Chicago-area contractors, subcontractors and construction suppliers.

Trades involved in a project of this scope could include:

Excavation and earthwork contractors
Shoring contractors
Foundation contractors
Concrete forming contractors
Reinforcing steel contractors
Structural concrete contractors
Structural steel contractors
Masonry contractors
Building envelope contractors
Window and glazing contractors
Exterior cladding contractors
Roofing contractors
Green roof contractors
Waterproofing contractors
Mechanical contractors
HVAC contractors
Plumbing contractors
Electrical contractors
EV charging infrastructure contractors
Fire protection contractors
Elevator contractors
Drywall and insulation contractors
Carpentry contractors
Millwork and cabinetry contractors
Flooring and tile contractors
Painting contractors
Door and hardware contractors
Lighting contractors and suppliers
Swimming pool contractors
Recreation and athletic court contractors
Commercial kitchen and grocery contractors
Refrigeration contractors
Retail fit-out contractors
Landscaping contractors
Stormwater management contractors
Sitework and paving contractors

The grocery store, rooftop pool, athletic spaces, green roofs and stormwater reuse systems add specialty construction packages beyond those typically associated with a conventional multifamily tower.

Construction Continues Through 2028

With the groundbreaking now complete, Julep West Loop has moved from the development pipeline into active construction.

The 25-story project will add 380 apartments, including 76 affordable units, along with more than 21,500 square feet of commercial space and an extensive residential amenity program.

For Chicago's construction industry, the projected 740,000 union labor hours and $69 million in workforce income demonstrate the scale of the work expected over the next 21 months. Skender will lead construction as Fengate Asset Management and Mavrek Development move toward first occupancy in early 2028.

For contractors and suppliers tracking active construction opportunities in Chicago, Julep West Loop is now a significant West Loop project to watch as construction advances through 2026 and 2027.