Encuentro Square

Transforming a former industrial site into a resilient, community-centered affordable housing campus.

Location
Logan Square, Chicago, IL

Suppliers

Installer
Metal Edge

Architect
Canopy

General Contractor
Leopardo Construction

Overview

Encuentro Square transforms a long-vacant industrial parcel at the western edge of Chicago’s 606 Trail into a vibrant, 196-unit affordable housing community designed for long-term social impact. Developed by LUCHA and Evergreen Real Estate Group, the project introduces three contemporary residential buildings, integrated open space, and neighborhood-serving amenities that strengthen the fabric of the Logan Square community. Supported by Blue Line’s coordinated façade package—including metal cladding from MORIN, subframing from CLADIATOR, and thermal protection from ROCKWOOL—the development achieves both expressive architectural character and durable, energy-efficient performance.

This project represents a major reinvestment in a historically industrial corridor, bringing new opportunities for families while elevating the surrounding neighborhood with a thoughtful approach to design, resilience, and public space.

Challenge

Transforming a former manufacturing site into a welcoming residential neighborhood required a strategic design approach that balanced community priorities, environmental demands, funding constraints, and long-term resilience. The team needed to remediate a complex industrial parcel, deliver high-performance affordable housing, and integrate new public amenities—all while ensuring the buildings would withstand Chicago’s climate and remain cost-efficient to construct and maintain. At the same time, the development had to present a cohesive architectural identity across three new structures while allowing each building to contribute its own character to the neighborhood.

Solution

Blue Line partnered with the design and construction teams to implement a coordinated exterior envelope strategy that delivered aesthetic consistency, installation efficiency, and long-term performance. By aligning façade components early in the design process, the team ensured each building met affordable-housing standards, maintained design cohesion, and simplified field coordination. The result is a unified rainscreen system that enhances energy efficiency, durability, and architectural expression across the entire development.

Outcome & Impact

Encuentro Square transforms a long-vacant industrial parcel into a resilient, community-anchored residential environment that brings lasting value to Logan Square. The coordinated façade system enhances building performance, strengthens durability, and supports long-term energy efficiency while reinforcing the development’s contemporary architectural identity. Beyond the technical gains, the project delivers meaningful social impact—introducing 196 affordable homes, new public amenities, and a connected network of open spaces that elevate daily life for residents.

By pairing thoughtful planning with an integrated rainscreen strategy, the development demonstrates how underutilized urban land can be reimagined into a welcoming, future-ready neighborhood asset. The result is a stable, vibrant community designed for opportunity, connection, and long-term sustainability.

Blue Line's Role

Blue Line worked closely with the design, engineering, and construction teams to identify, evaluate, and integrate the right façade components into the project. Through early product alignment, technical guidance, and collaboration with installers, Blue Line ensured each building envelope met the development’s sustainability, durability, and budget goals. The resulting façade system delivers lasting performance and reinforces the project’s mission of creating high-quality affordable housing for Chicago families.