Parkway Garden Homes (O'Block)

 NRHP - National Register of Historic Places, apartment complex

Parkway Garden Homes is a residential housing complex located at 63rd Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois. It was built between 1950 and 1955 as affordable housing for working-class and middle-class families. Originally developed as a privately owned cooperative housing project, it was intended to provide modern and accessible living spaces for African American families during a time of segregation and housing discrimination.

Parkway Garden Homes was one of the first African American-owned housing cooperatives in Chicago, offering a new model for affordable urban housing. The complex consists of 35 mid-rise buildings, with a total of 694 apartments, covering about 13 acres of land. It was designed to offer a safe and community-focused environment with green spaces and communal areas.

During its early years, Parkway Garden Homes was home to many families looking for a better quality of life. However, over time, economic challenges and changes in ownership led to a decline in maintenance and living conditions.

By the late 20th century, Parkway Garden Homes began facing issues related to crime, poverty, and gang activity. Due to a lack of investment and increasing violence in the surrounding areas, the complex gained a negative reputation. It became associated with various gangs, particularly in the 2010s, as crime rates in Chicago’s South Side continued to rise.

Despite its challenges, Parkway Garden Homes holds cultural significance, particularly in the world of music and entertainment. It is famously known as the childhood home of Chief Keef, a prominent drill music rapper. Other artists and figures from the area have also gained attention, contributing to its recognition in pop culture.

In 2012, Parkway Garden Homes was officially designated as a Chicago Landmark due to its historical and architectural importance. However, despite this designation, concerns about crime, safety, and housing conditions continue to impact the complex.

In recent years, Parkway Garden Homes has been under new ownership, with efforts to improve safety, management, and living conditions. However, debates continue about whether redevelopment, relocation, or further investment is the best solution for the community.

Parkway Garden Homes remains a notable part of Chicago’s South Side history, representing both the struggles and resilience of the communities that have lived there over the decades.

Notable people who have lived in Parkway Garden Homes:

Chief Keef – Influential drill music rapper, known for songs like I Don't Like and Love Sosa.
Lil Durk – Drill rapper, singer, and songwriter, founder of Only The Family (OTF).
King Von – Late rapper and storyteller, known for his vivid lyrics about street life.
Fredo Santana – Drill rapper, cousin of Chief Keef, co-founder of Glory Boyz Entertainment (GBE).
Lil Reese – Drill rapper, frequent collaborator with Chief Keef and Lil Durk.
Michelle Obama (lived nearby) – Former First Lady of the United States, though she did not live in Parkway Gardens, she grew up in the surrounding South Side area.