RIVER NORTH — The 47 row houses coming to Oak Street and Cleveland Avenue could have brought 47 new families to the neighborhood, but Realtor Heather Gustafson said a majority of the new project's buyers were making a short move from within the neighborhood.
Ranquist Development Group hopes to break ground this spring on Basecamp River North, a three-phase construction project that will build four banks of row houses between Oak and Hobbie streets and Cleveland and Hudson avenues.
"We're getting a lot of buyers from River North who really want to stay there," said Gustafson, of CMK Companies. "We're particularly excited to be, really, the first town home community that River North has seen in almost 10 years.
"I think we're filling a void for people who want to stay in the city, and want more space. ... I think we're seeing more and more families who want to stay in the city, but want a feel of living in the suburbs," Gustafson added.
The team hopes Basecamp River North will create a suburban feeling with amenities like gated front yards, attached two-car garages and rooftop decks.
Even the name is a nod to the idea of a family-focused living space.
"We really felt like it was your home base," Gustafson said. "It's the center of the city, it's where you come and go, and it's where everything kind of starts and finishes."
Eighteen of the development's 47 units are still available. While many buyers already are based in River North, Gustafson said they "have seen some buyers from all over the city. If we really look at the list, we have all the neighborhoods covered."
The homes are a mix of two-story units with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, and three-story units with four bedrooms and 3½ bathrooms. They're listing for $549,900 to $749,900.
