Architect Submits Plans For Office Tower On Evanston Library Lot

EVANSTON, IL — Developers of a proposed office tower on the library parking lot submitted a planned development application to Evanston officials last week. Renderings and floor plans included in the application indicate there will be nine stories of office space and four floors of parking allowing for 117 cars. However, according to an attached project narrative, "as currently proposed, the building would be 8-stories of open office space atop a 3-story parking structure."

According to that narrative, local architect Paul Janicki aimed to integrate the design of structure into the fabric of surrounding buildings, which include the Marshall Field's Building, the 1920s-built limestone Gothic Moderne Carlson Building, the Frances Willard historic site, the Ernest Mayo-designed Women's Club and the Evanston Public Library.

Aldermen approved the sale of the city-owned, 74-spot parking lot for $4 million last September. According to the application, dated June 1, the tower is being developed by a 50-50 venture of Delaware-based companies named T2 Purple Cats, LLC, registered last October, and R2 Evanston Investor, LLC, registered in April, according to its application. The owners have not yet been publicly identified.

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There are already a few potential tenants for the site with hundreds of employees, according to the narrative. It suggests many local employers believe there will be an exodus of Evanston businesses to Chicago due to a lack of high-end office space.

The planned development will be reviewed by city staff on the Design and Project Review Committee (DAPR) and the Plan Commission before the City Council

READ MORE: Planned Development Application for 1714-1720 via City of Evanston