The intersection of Belmont, Lincoln and Ashland avenues, three major arteries, might not seem like an appealing spot for a new condo. Although a Whole Foods, at 3300 N. Ashland Ave., is a bona fide amenity, several big bank buildings make the corner feel solidly commercial.
But head a block in any direction, and the once-dead retail pocket in the heart of the neighborhood now hosts a variety of trendy bars, restaurants and shops with names like Fizz, Belly’s, Waterhouse and Bungalow. A trio of developments aiming for a hip, lofty vibe – some of them replacing banks – likely will draw some of that energy to the busy but anonymous intersection in the center of Lake View.
Centrum Properties’ Lofts at Lakeview Collection will combine high-end retail, including a David Barton Gym, with 131 one- and two-bedroom loft-style condos. Hirsch Associates, LLC’s design – a six-story building fronted almost entirely with glass – will be a marked change from the imposing concrete wall of the LaSalle Bank branch that currently occupies the site, at 3201 N Ashland Ave. The bank will be knocked down in the fall, according to Michelle Potvin, a sales associate with Centrum.
The condo interiors are full of contemporary touches. Toronto-based Cecconi Simone, Inc. designed the interiors with unusual features like sliding glass doors and rectangular Corian bathroom sinks. So far 27 units have sold, and prices range from the low $300s to the mid-$700s, according to Carrie McCormick, sales manager for the project.
Directly north of Lofts at Lakeview Collection, at 3245 N Ashland Ave, New Haven Homes is nearing completion on LV Lofts. Architects Sullivan, Goulette & Wilson designed the five-story condo building in the style of an old Chicago department store, according to New Haven Managing Partner Keith Esses.
The one- and two-bedroom loft-style units have exposed concrete ceilings more than 10 feet high, hanging spiral ductwork, modern cabinets and stainless steel appliances. Esses describes the condos as “very airy and bright. It’s something really popular with younger buyers who like open spaces.”
In addition to a common rooftop deck, each condo has a balcony or a terrace – some as large as 1,000 square feet. Currently, 17 of the 24 units are available, and prices range from the $320s to the $460s.
Around the corner from LV Lofts, at 1623 W Melrose St, Citizens State Bank Lofts is the genuine article, a former bank (then shoe store, dance studio and pawn shop) now being converted to six lofts. An additional floor with three new-construction condos is being added to the top of the existing four-story building.
Developer Gary Solomon & Co. is incorporating a glass façade and angled glass bays, which overlook Lincoln Avenue, into the existing neoclassical building. The lofts have one to two bedrooms and one to 2.5 bathrooms, and range from 1,244 to 1,988 square feet. Prices range from the $440s to the $680s, according to Jill Solomon, vice president of Gary Solomon & Co. Three units are under contract.
Kate-
Did they tell you when LV Lofts expects to begin delivery?
Thanks!
This is one of the few truly exciting new developments going on in Lakeview. I saw the model unit and floor plans on a brokers’ tour in the spring. For once it was worth listening to the “hype” from the on-site agents while munching on a free lunch. This is going to be a very cool place to live!
I think these projects will really help transform what has been an automobile-dominated intersection since the death of our streetcars, back into a more pedestrian-scaled corner. I’m excited to see the changes, and I hope some changes to the traffic configuration will follow in future years to make the area less intimidating and dangerous to those on foot and bike. The current streetscape improvements and the stronger street wall look like they’ll help to tame the cars a little, but that intersection needs a bit of a “road diet.” Narrower lanes and medians on Ashland would make it much safer and easier to cross. I usually avoid crossing there right now, instead choosing a route a couple blocks north if I’m going through that area.
Andrew,
I’m waiting for word on the exact delivery date, but in the meantime I’ll pass on that Esses told me the building is nearing the drywall stage. I’ll post more as soon as I hear.
Traffic isn’t going to get any better at that intersection with these developments. The parking garage at the Centrum development will have space for a couple hundred cars. There doesn’t seem to be much consideration for pedestrians since all of the pre-construction traffic experiments have been related to autos – bagging parking meters on the north and south sides of Belmont east of Ashland to allow traffic to flow more quickly. It will start to feel like North Avenue east of Sheffield quickly.
Kate,
The LaSalle Bank building at Belmont and Ashland that I passed by nearly every working day for 6 years has a facade that was about 80% glass.
Where’s that “imposing concrete wall” you’re talking about?
To Lake View Resident:
One has to wonder if increased traffic congestion is actually better for pedestrians, as cars are forced to slow down to bumper-to-bumper speed.
I think Chicago still hasn’t learned that if you plan for cars and traffic, you get cars and traffic, but if you plan for people and places, you get people and places. I think that quote is from the Project for Public Spaces.
Lake View Resident, you’re right that converting street parking into a travel lane is a bad idea. It’ll only make the street feel more auto-dominated and more dangerous to pedestrians. North Avenue feels very harsh because it has four lanes with no barrier between the cars and the sidewalks. Pedestrians have fast-moving cars immediately to one side, and surface parking lots on the other. The difference at this intersection is that after we learn our lesson we can do a road diet and put the street parking back, there will be a welcoming street wall in place already, there will be no surface parking deserts, and one day the parking garage will get converted to something else (see CityFront Plaza lofts).