Zoning has been approved for the upcoming community hub at 2653 South Kildare Avenue in Little Village. Sitting on the corner with West 27th Avenue, we most recently covered the project last summer when it was first announced as a replacement for a large vacant lot on the neighborhood’s west end. Once completed, it will be called the Erie House La Villita Floreciendo Center.

Elevation of Florenciendo Center by Canopy Architecture

Efforts are being led by social services nonprofit Erie House, which has served the city since its founding in West Town in 1870 and expanded to Little Village in 2004. The organization now plans to construct a five-story intergenerational community center aimed at serving local families, designed by Canopy / architecture + design.

Rendering of Florenciendo Center by Canopy Architecture

The ground floor will include a 10-vehicle parking area beneath half of the structure, along with a rear patio. The building itself will contain 22,000 square feet of space. Programming will include multiple community rooms, a kitchen, offices, a library and READS lab, classrooms, a youth center and media lounge, a counseling and mental health clinic, a full-court gym, and a rooftop garden.

Floor plans of Florenciendo Center by Canopy Architecture

In Little Village, 35 percent of residents under 18 live below the poverty level. The center aims to serve 8,000 individuals annually while fostering community and resilience. Erie House plans to offer programs such as adult education, after-school programming, summer camps, family advocacy, free legal services, health counseling, youth literacy, and more.

Rendering of Florenciendo Center by Canopy Architecture

The building will be clad in a mix of glass and multi-colored panels, with warm pastels throughout the interior to create a calming atmosphere. When last reported, the project carried a $16 million price tag, though Erie House is now working to raise $22 million. Approval from the Zoning Board of Appeals allows the project to move forward, though a timeline has not yet been announced.

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2653 S Kildare Avenue Community Facility Little Village