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Two Developments Proposed for Booming Stretch of Devon Avenue

By Benjamin Woodard | November 10, 2014 10:39pm | Updated on November 11, 2014 8:59am
 The developments were proposed Monday night.
Devon Avenue Developments
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EDGEWATER — Developers Monday night proposed two major projects for a booming section of Devon Avenue at the border of Edgewater and Rogers Park, including one that could attract a new restaurant.

Christopher Woods, president of 3 Corners Development, said he plans to build two three-story apartment buildings on the vacant parking lots at 1301 W. Devon Ave.

Woods also developed the lot across the street for Heartland Health Centers.

Woods told members of Edgewater North Neighbors Monday that Heartland might use some of the commercial space on the building's first floor.

"The Heartland project was very well received and helped stabilize that area of Devon," Woods said.

The two identical buildings would include six 1,230-square-foot units, including three bedrooms and two baths each. Six parking lots for each building would be located in the rear, he said.

"There’s very strong demand in this area of Edgewater … for neighborhood infill market-rate apartments," said Woods.

Woods said rent for the units would be about $2,200 a month.

The exterior of the building would be corrugated metal siding, similar to the Heartland building, but of a darker color.

Some residents complained that the look doesn't match the surrounding architecture.

Three Corners Development does not need any zoning changes and can build the project as property owners.

Woods said he expects to be done with the development by Oct. 1, 2015.

Just a block away, at 1221-27 W. Devon Ave., developer Scott Whelan said he plans to add residential rental units atop the one-story commercial building at the southeast corner of Magnolia and Devon avenues.

"I feel like Devon is in the midst of a renaissance — and I want to be a part of it," Whelan said.

Whelan, who also developed Fountainhead restaurant and bar in Lincoln Square, said he plans to close on the sale of the property in December.

To complete the project, he said, he would need a zoning change from B3-1 to B3-2.

The current tenant, Habibi Restaurant, is being evicted, he said.

He said he would add five recessed residential rental units to the top of the building. Each unit would include three bedrooms and two bathrooms for about $2,300 a month, he said.

The orange facade along Magnolia would also be opened up, allowing more storefront space. The facade would be painted a different color, he said.

He said he's seeking a restaurant as a tenant.

"I have interest in the commercial, but I have to get the ball rolling," he said.

Dan Luna, chief of staff for Ald. Harry Osterman (48th), said there would be more neighborhood meetings to discuss the proposed zoning change.

"I’ve been trying to do this project for a year," Whelan said.

In July, the Sulejmani family had proposed to open an "upscale" restaurant, called Lakewood Bistro, in its building at 1248-60 W. Devon Ave. Several liquor moratoriums would need to be removed from the block before the restaurant could open there.