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As Avondale 'Takes Off,' Developer Pitches Condos For Empty Lot (PHOTOS)

By Ariel Cheung | April 20, 2016 5:46am
 Real estate investor Zlatko Pehar wants to build a four-story building at 3518 W. Wolfram St.
Real estate investor Zlatko Pehar wants to build a four-story building at 3518 W. Wolfram St.
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Provided/Kutlesa Hernandez Architects

AVONDALE — High-end residences with "Lincoln Park finishes" are likely heading to a vacant lot on Avondale's south border.

Developers pitched plans for the south-facing parcel at 3518 W. Wolfram St. during Monday's meeting of the Avondale Neighborhood Association (which was live-streamed on the Periscope app for the first time).

The three lots will have a combined 16 units, including nine condos and three commercial spaces at 2860 N. Milwaukee Ave. The three residential units — each with three bedrooms — in the Wolfram Street building could be condos or apartments, in addition to another first-floor commercial space, said Zlatko Pehar, the North Side real estate investor.

Either way, the 1,700-square-foot residences will be "higher-end," with condos ranging between $450,000 to more than $600,000, Pehar said. The building design features a gray brick facade with wood accents. Inside will be what developers previously described as "Lincoln Park finishes," said Emily Taylor, president of the Avondale Neighborhood Association. The roof will have some green aspects.

Detail shots of the planned four-story building at 3518 W. Wolfram St. [Provided/Kutlesa Hernandez Architects]

"When we first looked at doing this project on Milwaukee, things were a little bit different economically," Pehar said. "All of a sudden, the area has kind of taken off, so we decided to make this more of a signature type building and take everything to the next level."

RELATED: Where Did Logan Square Go Wrong? Avondale Looks North To Preserve Diversity

Plans for the Wolfram building require a zoning change to allow enough room for a 700-square-foot commercial space on the ground floor. The space would not have retail, but either be leased as an office or offered as an amenity to residents like a workout room, Pehar said.

First-floor plans, 3518 W. Wolfram St. [Provided/Kutlesa Hernandez Architects]

Second-floor plans, 3518 W. Wolfram St. [Provided/Kutlesa Hernandez Architects]

Work will begin sooner for the Milwaukee building, which did not require a zoning change. If the neighborhood refuses to support the Wolfram zoning change, developers would likely tweak the commercial space but maintain the rest of the planned project.

All units will be allotted one off-street parking space accessible from a small alley off Wolfram — a relief to neighbors at the meeting who said street parking is always in high demand.

RELATED: Is Avondale The Next Logan Square Or Wicker Park? Some Say 'Yes'

The lack of affordable housing units in the project raised some eyebrows — particularly those of Noe Favela, a neighbor who ran unsuccessfully against Ald. Ariel Reboyas (30th) for ward committeeman in March.

"Why split the two projects? Clearly, you guys knew the law, and you separated them," Favela said.

Affordable housing is required for Chicago developments with at least 10 units, said Tyler Manic, an attorney representing Pehar. The two buildings are on separate zoning lots and are essentially completely separate projects, Manic said.

Developers want to build two four-story mixed-use buildings in an empty lot at Wolfram and Milwaukee. [Provided/Kutlesa Hernandez Architects]

Pehar also denied that he split up the project to avoid the requirement and would happily pay the alternative affordable housing fee if it meant accelerating the Wolfram project. The zoning change means construction on that likely wouldn't begin until mid-2017 — long after the Milwaukee side is underway.

"If I had my choice, I would do it all at the same time and actually save money," Pehar said. Instead, "I have to sit on this."

Third-floor plans, 3518 W. Wolfram St. [Provided/Kutlesa Hernandez Architects]

Fourth-floor plans, 3518 W. Wolfram St. [Provided/Kutlesa Hernandez Architects]

Facade detail shot, 3518 W. Wolfram St. [Provided/Kutlesa Hernandez Architects]

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