Amenities

Transit-Served and Culturally Rooted

Quarry House1845 sits at the heart of a vibrant, transit-rich corridor—just under 1,000 feet from the Damen Pink Line and a short walk to the 18th Street station, both serving as vital lifelines through Chicago’s West Side and Loop.

Surrounded by two major bus routes, Harrison Park, and the acclaimed National Museum of Mexican Art, this location meets the criteria for Connected Communities zoning benefits, supporting equitable access to housing, mobility, and culture.

The design draws direct inspiration from the vaulted, light-filled canopy and historic murals of the 18th Street station—channeling a spirit of openness, identity, and neighborhood pride into every detail of Quarry House1845.

National Mexican Art Museum

The National Museum of Mexican Art, located directly across from Quarry House1845, is one of the premier Latino cultural institutions in the country. It offers free admission year-round and hosts exhibitions, performances, and educational programs that celebrate Mexican heritage and contemporary culture. As a neighborhood amenity, the museum:

  • Anchors the cultural identity of Pilsen and enhances the area’s vibrancy

  • Draws foot traffic and visibility, supporting a safer, more active public realm

  • Provides lifelong learning and engagement for residents of all ages, right outside their door

For Quarry House1845 residents, it’s not just a museum—it’s a living cultural asset that adds daily value to the experience of home.

  • Harrison Park offers year-round recreation with athletic fields, playgrounds, a pool, and community center. As Pilsen’s central green space, it provides everyday access to nature, wellness, and gathering.

  • Harrison Park was originally the site of a limestone quarry in the 19th century, providing building materials for Chicago’s rapid growth after the Great Fire. The quarrying legacy shaped Pilsen’s working-class identity, with immigrant labor—especially Czech and later Mexican workers—at the heart of the industry.

  • For Quarry House1845, this history offers deep inspiration:

    Material honesty: Concrete and stone echo the quarry’s legacy, grounding the design in Pilsen’s working-class past.
    Worker legacy: A tribute to the laborers who built Chicago—this project honors that spirit through durable, intentional design.
    Access to Open Space: Built on a park, and central to the design is a shared communal plaza, along with balconies or terraces for every unit.

    This lineage connects the development to the neighborhood’s roots while opening new possibilities for community. With direct access to Harrison Park, the design extends Pilsen’s tradition of open, social spaces into a healthier, more inclusive future.