Skokie's Plans For 'Luxury Rental Community' Downtown Take Shape

SKOKIE, IL — More than 300 Skokie residents, business and property owners, elected officials, Skokie village staff and interested individuals attended an open house on September 13, 2017 at Village Hall to learn about a proposed mixed-use development at the northwest corner of Lincoln Avenue and Oakton Street. The former site of Desiree restaurant is a critical locale for Village and private sector efforts to continue to invest and redevelop Downtown Skokie, and based on initial reaction to the presentations, this new ‘signature’ project has been well received, according to a Village of Skokie news release.

The proposed 8000 North development represents the opportunity for new and existing residents to live in a 153-unit luxury rental community with amenities such as ground floor retail and restaurants, a public/private parking garage adjacent to the structure, a 12th floor green roof which will include recreational facilities, outdoor meeting spaces, a demonstration kitchen, café, and spectacular views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. Anticipated occupancy for both the residential and commercial components is December, 2019.

The 8000 North development would be constructed and managed by an experienced and prominent development team which includes world-renowned architect Lucien LaGrange, Pamela Self Landscape Architects, Greenspire Capital, Pontarelli Companies, Hoffman Homes, W.E. O’Neill General Contractors and others who represent over 100 years of comprehensive development experience.

Leading up to the 8000 North Open House, Village staff received and vetted numerous redevelopment proposals for the former Desiree site which culminated in Village staff issuing a formal request for proposals in spring 2017. Seven local, regional and national development teams presented their visions for a commercial/residential development to Village officials.

After extensive analysis and review, several of these conceptual proposals were deemed feasible and desirable by the Village Board. An invitation was extended to the development team of 8000 North because it best advances the goals and recommendations of the 2020 Plan for Downtown Skokie that was adopted in 2007.

Preliminary plans for the project were submitted on September 1, 2017. These plans must be approved to continue to move forward with hearings by the Village’s Appearance and Plan Commissions which will lead up to a decision by the Village Board. It is anticipated that this process will continue through the end of the calendar year.

» via the Village of Skokie

_{Photos via Village of Skokie}