Developer Fern Hill recently presented updated plans for the transformation of Edgewater’s Emanuel Congregation into a mixed-use property, following feedback from the synagogue’s members and the community.
The most notable change was moving from a horseshoe-shaped building along the lakefront to three separate buildings of varying height. Variant 2.0 — as Fern Hill calls it — addresses many of the concerns members of Emanuel shared about density, security, open lakefront space and traffic. But the proposal isn’t set in stone. Fern Hill expects to share a third design proposal with congregants, according to Nick Anderson, founder and president of the firm.
“We’re not done,” Anderson told congregants during a meeting last month. “There’s benefits and drawbacks to each [design]. We want to continue to gather feedback on this new plan and make sure the congregation can review it in more detail.”
Emanuel, at 5959 N. Sheridan Road, announced last year that it would build a new synagogue. When it was built in 1954, it was expected that DuSable Lake Shore Drive would be extended north to reach some of Chicago’s suburbs — but that never materialized.
Andrew Degenholtz, co-president of Emanuel’s executive committee, said leadership wants the congregation to stay in Edgewater. But its building has become too expensive to maintain, and the property isn’t “holding together very well.” The congregation’s numbers have shrunk over the years, and only about half of the building is being used, Degenholtz said.
The synagogue rents the building to a church on Sundays, and while that helps bring in revenue, “it’s not sustainable,” Degenholtz said.
Partnering with Fern Hill to redevelop the lakefront site — which the developer says is the largest and only lakefront site of its kind in the neighborhood — will allow Emanuel to secure its long-term future, Degenholtz said. Emanuel will own its portion of the project, but is not paying for the construction. Instead, it’s giving the land for free to Fern Hill, who will pay for and oversee the development, alongside two additional parcels the developer purchased.
“It will be our equity and our building,” Degenholtz said. “We’re excited to be in a new, modern space with a [turn] toward the lake.”
The three buildings would give Emanuel its own dedicated space and architecture, Anderson said. A fourth building west of Sheridan Road that was included in the January design would remain as planned.
The tallest building at the northern end of the site will be 23 stories, with an 11-story building next to it. Closest to the lakefront would be a 13-story tower, with Emanuel’s space, covering two to three floors, extending beyond the building.
The towers would include retail and residential, though Fern Hill declined to give a unit count since plans are still being developed. Anderson said it’s possible some units are apartments and others condos, since there’s an option to split the housing types between buildings.
The new design eliminates the circular motor court Fern Hill had proposed because it limited green space and public access to the land. Developers described the new plan as more “porous,” because the density is broken up between the three buildings. Renderings also show a pedestrian walkway to the lakefront that cuts through the development.
Anderson anticipates the project being completed in phases — starting with Emanuel’s new synagogue.
Several residents of the nearby Malibu East Condominium praised Fern Hill for its changes, saying the updates reflect community feedback.
Fern Hill will continue to gather feedback, Anderson said. Ald. Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth’s (48th) office is hosting a community meeting at the synagogue May 28 at 6:30 p.m. for residents to learn more about the project and ask questions.
