3520 South Archer Avenue, Chicago, IL 60609

Description:

FOR LEASE: 5,700 SF / 7,475 SF Lot / Fully Open with No Columns / Private Parking for 7–8 Vehicles / Zoned C1-2 / $25.00 PSF MG / McKinley Park – South Chicago

Address: 3520 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60609
Neighborhood: McKinley Park | South Chicago Submarket


Building Size: 5,700 SF (no columns)
Lot Size: 7,475 SF
Structure: 100% Masonry Construction With Bow-Truss Roof and Large Street-Facing Windows
Power: 200 Amp
Parking: Private, Secured & Exclusive Lot For 7–8 Vehicles
Zoning: C1‑2 (Commercial District)
Lease Rate: $25.00 PSF MG
Floors: Single Story
Average Daily Traffic: 25,257 Vehicles


 

Executive Summary

KW Commercial is pleased to offer the opportunity to lease an Exceptional investment or flagship location on Archer Avenue — ideally located at 3520 S Archer Ave in McKinley Park, steps from the bustling 35th/Archer CTA Orange Line station and high‑volume bus routes (#62, #22, #36). With 25,257 ADT exposure, big front windows, private parking for 7–8 vehicles, a bow‑truss roof and column‑free 5,700 SF layout, this 100% masonry building is move‑in ready.

 

Zoned C1‑2, this property allows a wide range of pedestrian storefront uses by right, including coffee roasteries, craft breweries with tasting bars, cafes, restaurants/diners, boutique retailers, or small entertainment centers. The district also 

 

permits upstairs residential—ideal for a mixed-use live/work concept. Anchored by surrounding national credit tenants (e.g., corner bank, Huck Finn Diner, florist, and barbershop), this location thrives with consumer foot‑traffic.

 

The site is seamlessly accessible by transit, with the CTA Orange Line (35th/Archer Station) just 0.2 miles away and frequent bus service along Archer Ave. This corridor’s convergence with Damen and Western Avenues funnels high-volume foot and vehicular traffic—plus proximity to Target enhances convenience and visibility.

 

Adjacent McKinley Park is a vibrant community anchor with seasonal events, youth tournaments, sports leagues, and cultural festivals like Movies in the Park and Pianos in the Park, drawing hundreds of visitors throughout the year. Nearby schools and new residential developments continue to drive foot traffic and long-term stability for local businesses.

 

With major redevelopment activity, new townhomes, and retail infill already underway, this space is uniquely positioned within one of the South Side’s most active transitional corridors. At $25 PSF MG, this opportunity presents strong value for a growing commercial vision in a strategically connected location.

 

Neighborhood Population & Residential Density

 

McKinley Park is home to over 16,000 residents within its square-mile boundary, with tens of thousands more in the immediate surrounding areas of Brighton Park and Bridgeport. The area is a vibrant, long-established neighborhood composed of:


A healthy mix of single-family homes, 2-flats, and 3-flats
A strong inventory of multifamily buildings and walk-up apartment stock
Steady owner-occupancy and long-term tenants that provide reliable customer flow
High population density means built-in foot traffic and an active community base that supports local storefront businesses


The constant activity from nearby residents, along with foot traffic from transit, events, and schools, makes this property an ideal choice for any neighborhood-focused retail, service, or food-and-beverage business.

 

Zoning: C1‑2 Commercial District (City of Chicago)

 

The C1‑2 zoning classification allows for:


By-right uses: Restaurants, cafes, retail storefronts, beauty salons, professional offices, general stores, and some entertainment facilities
Special use potential: Breweries, coffee roasteries, artist spaces, studios, schools, etc.
Strong match for businesses seeking light commercial, hospitality, and community-serving retail


High-performing permitted uses in C1‑2 corridors include:


Coffee shops with roasting operations
Boutique craft breweries and taprooms
Small educational/training centers
Local restaurants, diners, and specialty dessert shops
Interactive experience retailers or child-centered entertainment businesses


Surrounding Businesses & Anchor Tenants


High-visibility location adjacent to national credit tenants and well-reviewed locals:

Huck Finn Restaurant (top-rated diner and landmark)
Nearby Target, Walgreens, and regional banks
Other local notables: St. Vanity Enterprise, Mi Tierra Restaurante, Dollar Tree


Nearby developments show strong retail retention and occupancy


 

Transit Access & Connectivity


CTA Orange Line – 35th/Archer Station: 0.2 mi (3-min walk)
Bus Routes: #62 (Archer), #35, #52, #X49—serve Archer Ave, Damen, and Western
Major Roads Nearby:

Archer Ave (primary east-west arterial with 25,257 ADT)
Damen Ave & Western Ave – connect the South Side to Downtown
Easy access to I‑55 Stevenson Expressway




This major arterial corridor is well-known and highly desired by many businesses, offering premium exposure for tenants aiming to capitalize on vehicle and pedestrian flow.

 

Community Amenities & Event-Driven Foot Traffic


McKinley Park: Over 64 acres, home to:

Sports courts & baseball diamonds
Outdoor pool & field house
Seasonal events:

Youth basketball & bocce tournaments
“Movies in the Park”, “Pianos in the Park”
Halloween festivals and summer camps




The park serves as the cultural and recreational hub of the neighborhood, bringing in hundreds of local families and patrons year-round


Local Schools


Pulaski International School of Chicago
Everett Elementary School
McKinley Park Elementary
Nearby high schools and charter academies also contribute to family-centered traffic throughout the week


 

Development & Market Growth


New construction includes townhomes, condos, and multi-family buildings:

3638 S Western Ave: 6-unit townhome development recently approved
McKinley Park Corridor: ~200 units planned with retail components and public plaza


Steady investor and redevelopment activity positions this corridor for significant upside in the coming years



LOCATION OVERVIEW | McKINLEY PARK – ARCHER AVENUE COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR

 

Strategically located at 3520 S Archer Ave, this property sits along one of Chicago’s most active and well-traveled commercial corridors within the McKinley Park / South Chicago submarket. Archer Avenue serves as a primary east–west arterial connecting the South Side directly to Downtown Chicago, carrying approximately 25,000+ vehicles per day, providing tenants with consistent visibility and brand exposure.

The property benefits from immediate proximity to the highly trafficked 35th Street & Archer Avenue intersection, a key neighborhood node that combines strong vehicular flow with steady pedestrian activity driven by transit, retail, and surrounding residential density.

 

TRANSIT-ORIENTED LOCATION

This site is exceptionally well-positioned for accessibility, located just a short walk from the 35th/Archer Station, providing direct connectivity to Downtown Chicago (The Loop) and Midway Airport. In addition, multiple CTA bus routes run along Archer Ave and nearby Damen and Western corridors, creating a highly accessible destination for both employees and customers.

 

This level of transit connectivity significantly enhances foot traffic and supports a wide range of retail, service, and experiential uses.

 

STRONG RETAIL CORRIDOR & CO-TENANCY

The immediate area is anchored by a mix of national retailers, essential service providers, and long-standing local businesses, creating a stable and active commercial ecosystem. Nearby operators include Huck Finn Restaurant, Target, Walgreens, and Dollar Tree, all of which contribute to daily consumer draw and repeat traffic patterns.

 

This co-tenancy mix provides a strong foundation for businesses seeking both destination and convenience-based traffic.

 

DENSE RESIDENTIAL BASE & BUILT-IN CUSTOMER FLOW

McKinley Park and the surrounding neighborhoods of Bridgeport and Brighton Park provide a dense and established residential base, with over 16,000 residents within the immediate neighborhood and significantly more in the surrounding trade area.

The area is characterized by:


Stable owner-occupied housing and long-term tenancy
A mix of single-family homes, 2–4 unit buildings, and multifamily apartments
Strong community engagement and neighborhood loyalty to local businesses


This creates a reliable, consistent customer base ideal for retail, food & beverage, medical, and service-oriented users.

 

COMMUNITY DRIVER: McKINLEY PARK

Just minutes from the property, McKinley Park serves as a major neighborhood anchor, featuring over 60 acres of recreational space, sports facilities, and year-round programming.

 

Events such as seasonal festivals, youth sports leagues, and community gatherings draw hundreds of visitors regularly, increasing foot traffic and enhancing exposure for nearby businesses.

 

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT MOMENTUM

The Archer Avenue corridor is currently experiencing ongoing redevelopment and investment activity, including:


New townhome and multifamily developments
Retail infill projects along key intersections
Continued infrastructure and streetscape improvements


Planned and recent developments, including new residential units and mixed-use projects, are contributing to increasing population density and long-term economic growth, positioning this corridor for continued appreciation.

 

POSITIONING FOR TENANTS

This location offers tenants the ability to establish themselves within a high-visibility, transit-oriented corridor supported by strong demographics, consistent traffic counts, and ongoing neighborhood growth.

 

With its combination of arterial exposure, proximity to transit, dense residential base, and established retail ecosystem, 3520 S Archer Ave presents an ideal opportunity for businesses seeking both immediate customer access and long-term scalability within a proven Chicago commercial corridor.

 



High-visibility Archer Ave corridor with ~25,000+ vehicles daily
0.2 miles to CTA Orange Line (35th/Archer) – direct Loop & Midway access
5,700 SF freestanding building with private parking (7–8 spaces)
Surrounded by national retailers & strong neighborhood anchors
Dense residential base driving consistent daily foot traffic
Ongoing development & growth in McKinley Park corridor