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Development News
The Village has always been an outstanding community for real estate investment. While vacant land in Skokie is scarce, redevelopment activity continues at a brisk pace. The latest approved development and redevelopment projects are reviewed in this section. Many of the proposed projects are explained in the Public Hearings section on the Community Development Department web pages.
Projects Under Construction
Oakton Park Condominiums – This mixed use development includes 2,500 sq. ft. of modern commercial space and 24 2-bedroom residential condominiums on the site of the former Corner Hut Restaurant at 4700 Oakton just east of Downtown Skokie. Construction began in late 2003. Units are still available.
Skokie Gardens – This transit oriented development offers 8,200 sq. ft. of modern commercial space, 3,500 sq. ft. of office space, and 70 2- and 3-bedroom residential condominiums on the site of the former American Academy of Computer Science at 8814-8856 Niles Center Road. Construction began in late 2003. Units are sitll available. This development is the first mixed use project in the West Dempster Street Redevelopment District.
Madison Place – A 192-unit residential development consisting of 172 condominiums in 3 buildings and 20 townhouse units. Units are still available. Madison Place is located at Madison Street and Lincoln Avenue in Downtown Skokie. All townhouse units have been sold, and over 8% of the condominiums are either sold or under contract.
The Metropolitan of Skokie – This mixed use development including 6,600 sq. ft. of modern commercial space and 61 residential condominiums is nearly completion at the corner of Oakton Street and Niles Avenue in Downtown Skokie. The site was formerly occupied by Marketplace on Oakton which moved to 4817 Oakton Street in 2001 and has enjoyed great success there ever since. 70% of the residential units are already sold at the Metropolitan even though units are not yet ready.
Laramie Park Townhomes – Twenty-six 2- and 3-bedroom townhouses were developed on a 2.6 acre site at Laramie Avenue and Frontage Road. The project is almost sold out.
Siena at Old Orchard - An exciting mixed used development at the former Old Orchard Theater site on Skokie Blvd is underway. The new development will combine 110 luxury residential condominiums in two buildings, many of the units with views of the Skokie Park District Golf Course, a Portillo's Restaurant, Fifth Third Bank, remodeled car wash, and additional retail/restaurants. All of the commercial space is now occupied, and the residential portion of the site is under construction. 44 of the units are reportedly sold. Units will be available in 2006.
In the Works
Residences at 8200 – Construction is proceeding on a development consisting of a four-story building with 42 condominium units along with five attached townhouses at the northwest corner of Lincoln Avenue and Cleveland Street. The project is about 35% sold. Units are to be available in 2006.
Dempster Swift Development – A major mixed-use development was approved for the block immediately east of the Skokie Swift Transportation Center at Dempster Street and Bronx Avenue. The was to combine 170 residential condominiums with 19,000 sq. ft. of ground-floor commercial space in a seven-story development. The concept is now being revised and will be the subject of additional public hearings in the future. Construction could begin in 2006.
Edens Bank – Two drive-thru banks have been approved for the northwest corner of Main Street and Skokie Boulevard, and the northeast corner of Lockwood Avenue and Dempster Street. The project will consist of two 1-story buildings replacing an existing restaurant and older commercial space. Development is to proceed in 2005.
Optima Old Orchard Woods – Skokie’s largest residential development is under construction west of the Edens Expressway between Golf Road and Old Orchard Road. The project, being undertaken by Optima Development Company, will include up to 700 residential condominiums in three interconnected, 20-story buildings. Pre-sales have been exceptionally strong with 265 contracts already in place. This development will be unique in its height, mass, and density to Skokie as it will be the only residential development west of the Edens in the Office-Research Zoning District.
Southeast Industrial Area – The Village continues to plan improvement projects in its major industrial areas. Such projects have generally consisted of a complete overhaul of the public right-of-ways including street resurfacing, new sidewalks, new curb & gutters, increased turning radii at intersections, street lighting, improved parking and loading areas, and additional landscaping. Three improvement projects have already been completed in the industrial area south of Howard Street between St. Louis Avenue and Hamlin Avenue. The next phases of the project will be undertaken in areas north of Oakton Street. This work is expected to take place in 2007. Skokie continues to see increased industrial activity and investment in this area.
Holocaust Memorial Museum – The Holocaust Memorial Foundation of Illinois will be moving its museum from 4255 Main Street into a new 46,400 sq. ft. building with exhibit and educational space, 293-seat auditorium, bookshop, and 64-seat eating area. The new facility will be on Woods Drive, just north of Golf Road and west of the Edens Expressway. A construction schedule has yet to be determined.
West Dempster Street - A $3.3 million streetscape improvement project is underway in the West Dempster commercial area between Kilpatrick Avenue and the Edens Expressway. Improvements will include new sidewalks with two-foot bonds of brick pavers, parkway trees, traditionally styled street lights with pedestrian walkway luminaries, hanging flowering baskets, extensive landscaping, repaved driveway aprons and street furniture. The project will be completed in 2006.
Illinois Science + Technology Park - The former Pfizer/Searle research and development center in Downtown Skokie has been purchased by Forest City Enterprises, a Cleveland, Ohio-based development firm. Forest City is in the process of demolishing obsolete buildings and creating a life sciences research campus. The campus is to eventually include about 1.5 million square feet of laboratory and office space that will be integrated into Downtown Skokie. Projections call for over 3,000 jobs and a $150 million plus investment in the site. The Village of Skokie has committed $10 million in tax increment financing (TIF) support, and the State of Illinois will grant $5 million to the development. |
