Encuentro Square: A Place to Call Home
- Abby Ellis
- 58 minutes ago
- 3 min read
This year, LUCHA and developer partner, Evergreen Real Estate, celebrated the grand opening of Encuentro Square. This two-building, multi-family development sits on the 606 Trail in Chicago’s Logan Square community and provides 89 units of affordable housing.
As this neighborhood faces rising rent prices and longtime resident displacement, this project was a necessary step toward preserving the culture of this community. Encuentro Square is more than a building. It’s a promise to our neighbors that their stories, culture, and future will continue to thrive for generations to come.
Last year, Logan Square native Angeles, watched the once abandoned factory lot at Cortland and Ridgeway transform. Pushing a stroller carrying precious cargo – her newborn son – she watched as the foundation was poured, as concrete began to climb six stories high, and as the exterior was wrapped in brilliant orange glimmering in the summer sun. Just four blocks away, she and her husband were living in a run-down apartment, and the family was quickly outgrowing their cramped space.
Facing a landlord who was increasing their rent and unwilling to make much-needed repairs, they knew it was time to move on.
As they began their search for new housing, it felt clear that Logan Square was no longer affordable. But, just as Angeles and her husband were preparing to relocate further west to Portage Park, they received a life-changing call: they had been selected for a three-bedroom apartment at Encuentro Square.
When Angeles and her family moved in, it marked a new beginning. Standing by the window in their new apartment overlooking the Chicago skyline, she felt an overwhelming sense of calm. She could finally envision the better life she had been searching for.
Encuentro Square started to feel like home. Her days became filled with warmth and light. It was the place where her son took his first steps. It was where she welcomed family and friends with pride. It was the start of a fresh chapter.
“My favorite part about living at Encuentro Square is peace of mind. Knowing that we’re safe and secure. You get a sense that the community really cares about you.” -Angeles, Encuentro Square Resident
Not long after moving in, Angeles’ husband was laid off. After years of 60-hour workweeks to provide for their family, the sudden loss brought panic and uncertainty. But, when they contacted management, they were met with nothing but support.
“It’s so easy to talk to the staff here, and they will understand if you are going through a hard time,” explains Angeles. “They communicate with us as actual people. It made it easier for us to stay positive.”
Angeles’ family had the space to navigate the crisis. Her husband soon found a new job with better pay, benefits, and the flexibility to be more present with his family.
Just a year ago, Angeles was consumed by worry over rent and bills. Today, she says she feels free to plan for the future. With another child on the way, Angeles and her husband are already dreaming about one day owning a home where they can continue making memories that last a lifetime. ■
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A special thank you to those who brought Encuentro Square to life, especially Evergreen Real Estate Group, Canopy / architecture + design, Chicago Department of Housing, Chicago Department of Planning and Development, Chicago Housing Authority, Palenque LSNA, Leopardo Construction, and All Construction.