A joint venture between Chicago-based Habitat and M/I Homes of Chicago closed on the former Solo Cup Company site in Highland Park, Illinois, where the joint venture plans to develop The Bowery of Highland Park, a 227-residence for-sale townhome community.
“This closing is an important step forward for a project that has involved more than a year of coordination with the city and community stakeholders,” said Matt Fiascone, president of Habitat, in a written statement. “With the site acquisition complete, we’re focused on advancing construction and delivering much-needed housing and long-term value to Highland Park.”
Located at 1700 Old Deerfield Road, the 28-acre vacant site will be transformed into a residential neighborhood featuring townhomes, preserved open space, landscaped parkways and community amenities.
The Habitat-M/I Homes joint venture is moving forward with permitting and pre-construction activities, with groundbreaking on The Bowery of Highland Park anticipated this summer.
“The Bowery of Highland Park represents the level of thoughtfully designed new-construction housing we know is in high demand in established suburban locations such as Chicago’s North Shore,” said Rick Champine, area president of M/I Homes, which will lead construction and marketing efforts for the community. “Already, we’ve had significant early interest in the community and expect that will only grow as site work begins and progress on the development visibly moves forward. We look forward to transforming this long-underutilized property into a carefully planned neighborhood that aligns with the preferences of today’s homebuyers.”
The approved redevelopment plan calls for 48 townhome buildings comprising 227 three- and three-bedroom-plus-den residences with transitional-style exteriors. Each home will feature an attached two-car garage, with additional street parking incorporated throughout the development.
Amenities include a resident clubhouse with an outdoor pool, a dog park, a publicly accessible tot lot and pedestrian paths connecting the community to surrounding neighborhoods. Of the 227 residences, 34 homes will be offered to qualifying individuals and families in accordance with Highland Park’s Inclusionary Housing Plan.
Situated near Red Oak Elementary School, the site is close to restaurants and retailers, including Jewel-Osco and Whole Foods Market, as well as the Edens Expressway. Just minutes from downtown Highland Park and its eclectic mix of boutiques, restaurants and neighborhood amenities, The Bowery of Highland Park provides convenient access to Rosewood Beach, Ravinia Festival, Chicago Botanic Garden, West Ridge Park, Sunset Valley Golf Club, Northmoor Country Club and Kennedy Park.
Bordered by preserved wetlands and mature trees along its southern and western boundaries, the property represents one of the few remaining large-scale residential redevelopment opportunities in Highland Park.
