Frances Cabrini Row-houses and William Green Homes

Chicago

During the Day

Development

The construction reflected the "urban renewal" approach to United States city planning in the mid-20th century.



The extension buildings were known as the "red" for their red brick exteriors, while the Green Homes, with reinforced concrete exteriors, were known as the "whites".



Many of the high-rise buildings originally had exterior porches (called "open galleries"). According to the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA), the early residents of the Cabrini row houses were predominantly of Italian ancestry. By 1962, however, a majority of residents in the completed complex were black.