LAKEVIEW — An industrial building near the Sheridan "L" station could become an 18-unit apartment complex as early as next summer, developers announced this week.
The property at 932 W. Dakin St. is currently home to SeamCraft, an industrial sewing company that makes items like tripod cases and air-conditioner covers.
SeamCraft president Steve Stack said "a developer liked the building and made an offer we couldn't refuse." Stack is moving his company to a new facility on Bloomingdale Avenue in Austin.
Developer Andy Ahitow, who co-founded Chicago Apartment Finders, said he planned to "rehab" the four-story building to create 18 one- and two-bedroom rental apartments.
Current plans call for five units on the ground floor, six on each of the second and third levels, and one unit on the fourth floor. Apartments will range in size from 884 to 1,400 square feet.
Ahitow said one-bedroom units should ring in at $1,700 or $1,800 per month, while two-bedroom units would cost $2,500 to $2,700.
The developer presented his plans Tuesday night at an East Lake View Neighbors meeting. He and attorney Ronaldo Acosta said they were seeking zoning changes to create fewer parking spaces than are required.
"Essentially, we're seeking a zoning change for the sole reason of being able to do 18 units with nine parking spaces, as opposed to 18 and 18," which is what the current zoning calls for, Acosta said.
He pointed out that the Sheridan Red Line station is less than 300 feet from the proposed apartments. And nine parking spaces would fit neatly along the side and back of the building — under adjacent "L" tracks and next to the back alley.
"We couldn't get 18 spaces into the building without destroying the ground floor," Acosta said.
Ahitow hopes to meet with the city's zoning board in September. If all goes according to plan, he said, he'll have a permit by February, and demolition can start next spring. The apartments should be move-in ready by late summer 2015.
Current plans call for significant changes to the interior.
"It's kind of a funky building," Ahitow said. "The first floor is cut in half, and it has a short ceiling, so it's more for storage. We actually have to rip out the entire first floor and lower it."
Other proposals include the removal of a fourth-floor water tank, and facade improvements on the front and sides of the building.
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