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Second Meeting on Rental Development at Carmichael's Site Monday Night

By Stephanie Lulay | May 11, 2015 8:12am
 A member of the Michigan Avenue Real Estate Group's development team holds a rendering of the proposed rental redevelopment plan for the Carmichael's site at a meeting.
A member of the Michigan Avenue Real Estate Group's development team holds a rendering of the proposed rental redevelopment plan for the Carmichael's site at a meeting.
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DNAinfo/Stephanie Lulay

WEST LOOP — A developer with plans to build 130 rental units at the former Carmichael's Steakhouse site will present an updated proposal to the community Monday.

Ald. Danny Solis (25th) and the West Loop Community Organization will host the meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Merit School of Music, 38 S. Peoria St.

Michigan Avenue Real Estate Group plans to develop a mix of two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments at the site at Monroe and Aberdeen streets. Renderings call for two four-story brick buildings that would take up much of the land at 1050 and 1060 W. Monroe St.

At a meeting in April, many neighbors said they still had concerns the plan did not include enough green space.

Before Carmichael's Steakhouse closed, the property had a large landscaped courtyard that was open to the public. The redevelopment would see about 7,900 square feet of green space planned at the site, according to developer Tom Meador.

Residents previously submitted a petition to Solis, arguing that their "beautifully maintained aesthetic on the block" should not be "obliterated to make way for yet another luxury apartment complex."

In November, the City Council passed an ordinance — introduced by Solis to change the zoning of the block — effectively blocking the developer's plan.

The action ensured that any development at the site would have to go through a community process before moving forward.

Under current plans, a 1,050-square-foot two-bedroom unit would rent for about $3,000 per month, and a 1,300-square-foot three-bedroom unit would rent for about $3,300, Meador said.

Carmichael's Steakhouse, a mainstay of the West Loop dining scene, closed in March after 18 years in business.

Michigan Avenue Real Estate Group is in part owned by Chicago Bulls and Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf. The developer operates several other properties in the West Loop.

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