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Article updated: 10/16/2012 2:36 PM

Artists rejuvenating suburban downtowns

Lofts in Elgin may help revitalize downtown

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Megan Lalleman is one of the first to move into the new Elgin Artspace Lofts along Spring Street. Here, she greets her cat, Mr. Binkers, whose portrait, done by a friend, is about to be hung in the one-bedroom unit. Waukegan's Artspace Lofts expects to have artists moving in by December; an open house is Saturday.

photos by Patrick Kunzer | Staff Photographer

Tenants have begun moving into Elgin Artspace Lofts, a two-building, 55-unit project that includes renovation of the old Elgin Community College Fountain Square campus and new construction along Spring Street. The complex features a community room, pictured here, which is situated adjacent to a courtyard.

Patrick Kunzer | Staff Photographer

The complex also features a lighted courtyard with children's play area, seen here, as well as a catwalk and community deck for additional outdoor recreation.

The complex features an art gallery, pictured here, that will be filled based on the desires of the residents.

photos by Patrick Kunzer | Staff Photographer

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Tenants have begun moving into Elgin Artspace Lofts, a two-building, 55-unit project that includes renovation of the old Elgin Community College Fountain Square campus and new construction along Spring Street.

Patrick Kunzer | Staff Photographer

Tenants have begun moving into Elgin Artspace Lofts, a two-building, 55-unit project that includes renovation of the old Elgin Community College Fountain Square campus and new construction along Spring Street.

About this Article

Megan Lalleman is a writer. She doesn't get paid for her art, but her passion for poetry and creative writing was enough to secure her a spot in Elgin Artspace Lofts — a $14.5 million, 55-unit project in the works in Elgin since 2007. "I think there's a great canvas in downtown Elgin but it's been neglected for such a long time," Lalleman said. "This is going to be the right group of people to really kick-start downtown Elgin."

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    • Megan Lalleman is one of the first to move into the new Elgin Artspace Lofts along Spring Street. Here, she greets her cat, Mr. Binkers, whose portrait, done by a friend, is about to be hung in the one-bedroom unit. Waukegan's Artspace Lofts expects to have artists moving in by December; an open house is Saturday.
    • Tenants have begun moving into Elgin Artspace Lofts, a two-building, 55-unit project that includes renovation of the old Elgin Community College Fountain Square campus and new construction along Spring Street. The complex features a community room, pictured here, which is situated adjacent to a courtyard.
    • The complex also features a lighted courtyard with children’s play area, seen here, as well as a catwalk and community deck for additional outdoor recreation.
    • The complex features an art gallery, pictured here, that will be filled based on the desires of the residents.
    • Tenants have begun moving into Elgin Artspace Lofts, a two-building, 55-unit project that includes renovation of the old Elgin Community College Fountain Square campus and new construction along Spring Street.
    • Tenants have begun moving into Elgin Artspace Lofts, a two-building, 55-unit project that includes renovation of the old Elgin Community College Fountain Square campus and new construction along Spring Street.
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