Little Italy
Chicago, Illinois
Historic home renovation, gut rehabs, and new construction in one of Chicago's most storied Near West Side neighborhoods. 18 years of Chicago construction experience.
Construction Services
in Little Italy, Chicago
Little Italy is one of Chicago's most architecturally intact historic neighborhoods — a compact Near West Side community anchored by Taylor Street, where Italian-American culture has been rooted since the late 1800s. The housing stock here is a dense mix of Victorian-era greystones, brick two-flats, and vintage frame homes that reward careful renovation work done with respect for the neighborhood's character.
32 Build has worked throughout the Near West Side for years, delivering historic home renovations, gut rehabs, kitchen and bathroom remodels, and new construction projects in Little Italy and adjacent University Village, Pilsen, and Greektown. The neighborhood's proximity to UIC and the Illinois Medical District creates consistent demand from both homeowners and investors, and the building stock — much of it 80 to 120 years old — requires experienced pre-construction assessment before any scope is finalized.
Little Italy's renovation market rewards quality. Taylor Street's continued vitality as one of Chicago's most beloved neighborhood commercial streets supports property values, and investors and owner-occupants here tend to finish at a level that reflects that. A good renovation in Little Italy starts with understanding what's inside the walls before the contract is signed.
Near West Side Reference:Historic home renovations and gut rehabs completed throughout Little Italy and adjacent Near West Side neighborhoods. References available upon request.
Building in
Little Italy, Chicago
Little Italy occupies Chicago's Near West Side, centered on West Taylor Street between Halsted Street to the east and Damen Avenue to the west, and extending roughly between the Eisenhower Expressway to the north and Polk Street to the south. The neighborhood's housing stock is predominantly Victorian and Edwardian-era greystones, brick two-flats, and courtyard buildings built between 1880 and 1920, with a smaller share of newer infill construction.
Renovation work in Little Italy regularly involves historic masonry, original plaster, aging electrical and plumbing systems, and structural framing that predates modern code. Some blocks carry Chicago Historic Resources Survey classifications that can affect exterior permitting.
The Chicago Department of Buildings processes Little Italy permits through standard residential review tracks, with Landmarks review required for designated properties. Taylor Street is one of Chicago's most enduring neighborhood commercial corridors, anchoring the community's identity and supporting continued residential investment.
Proximity to UIC, Rush Medical, and the Illinois Medical District creates consistent rental and owner-occupant demand.
Did you know
Little Italy's Taylor Street has been the center of Chicago's Italian-American community since the 1880s, when waves of immigrants from southern Italy settled in the Near West Side and built the dense, walkable neighborhood that still exists today. The neighborhood survived urban renewal, the construction of the UIC campus (which displaced much of the broader Near West Side community in the 1960s), and the construction of the Eisenhower Expressway — and emerged with its essential character intact. Taylor Street remains one of the most authentic and beloved neighborhood main streets in Chicago.
Notable Streets in Neighborhood
- Taylor Street — Little Italy's soul — one of Chicago's most celebrated neighborhood streets, lined with Italian restaurants, bakeries, and institutions that have anchored the community for over a century.
- Halsted Street — Eastern commercial boundary — connects Little Italy to Greektown, UIC, and the Illinois Medical District with transit access and neighborhood services.
- Polk Street — Southern residential corridor — brick two-flats and greystones on the quieter blocks south of Taylor with consistent renovation activity.
- Racine Avenue — North-south residential street through the heart of Little Italy — Victorian-era homes and two-flats typical of the neighborhood's historic character.
- Damen Avenue — Western boundary — connects Little Italy to Pilsen to the south and Ukrainian Village to the north with commercial activity and transit access.
Sub-Neighborhoods We Serve
Little Italy Zip Codes
Services in Little Italy, Chicago
What Does It Cost
in Little Italy, Chicago?
Transparent ranges based on recent Chicago projects. Your exact cost depends on scope, materials, and conditions.
Kitchen or bath remodel, basement finishing, or a focused multi-trade refresh of a vintage unit. All permits managed, trades in-house.
Whole-house renovation, greystone gut rehab, two-flat repositioning, or new construction on an infill lot. The most common scope in Little Italy.
Complete gut rehabilitation of a larger historic building or premium new construction on the Near West Side.
Free Estimate: Every project starts with a free on-site consultation and written estimate. No obligation, no pressure. We'll tell you exactly what your project costs before you commit.
Maintenance Plans
for Little Italy Homeowners
Keep your home in peak condition year-round. Quarterly visits, seasonal checklists, and a dedicated team — starting at $99/month.
Essential
Homeowners who want quarterly preventive maintenance and a trusted team keeping an eye on the home.
Standard
Busy homeowners who want proactive maintenance plus more hands-on help during each visit.
Premium
Homeowners who want a true white-glove home maintenance and concierge experience.
Little Italy
Chicago FAQ
Answers to the most common questions about working with 32 Build in Little Italy, Chicago.
Still have questions? Let's talkA gut rehab in Little Italy typically runs $180,000 to $420,000 depending on building size, existing conditions, and finish level. A full gut renovation of a two-flat — both units, new systems, kitchens, baths, and finishes — runs $200,000 to $380,000 for a typical 2,500 to 3,500 SF building. A whole-house renovation of a Victorian greystone runs $250,000 to $500,000+. Every project starts with a thorough pre-construction walkthrough.
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Your Project?
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