Panel recommends Schaumburg’s first residential conversion of office space near Woodfield

Schaumburg’s first formal proposal for the residential conversion of an office building got an 8-0 recommendation from the zoning board for a largely vacant five-story structure south of Woodfield Mall.

Both the developer and village officials view it as the first of many residential proposals likely to follow near the bustling shopping and entertainment center.

The village board will consider final approval Feb. 11 for creation of the 98-unit Woodfield Apartments at 1699 E. Woodfield Road, which would include such amenities as a swimming pool in front.

Because a current dental practice would remain on the ground floor, the project is considered a mixed-use redevelopment.

The 45-year-old Natraj Investments building is owned by Subbu Iyer, Manen Kothari and Ajanta Talukdar, who hired Des Plaines-based GSP Development for the project based on the firm’s experience with such conversions.

“We think this is the perfect building to do it,” company President Larry Debb said. “It’s a perfect location.”

The idea unites two existing village initiatives to repurpose underutilized office properties throughout Schaumburg and introduce tall, dense residential buildings to the walkable business district south of Woodfield and west of Streets of Woodfield.

In fact, because Woodfield Apartments uses an existing building, it’s seeking a variance from the minimum seven stories required by the zoning code for new development in that area to stay at its current height.

The plan is to create a mixture of 19 studio, 63 one-bedroom, and 16 two-bedroom apartments. Each unit would have its own balcony, laundry machines and temperature control.

The parking lot would include a single-story garage for 100 vehicles. The building would feature a fitness center, yoga studio, TV room, golf simulator, soundproof music room, self-service pet spa with a pet washing station, and office suites in the basement.

The project’s 16- to18-month time frame includes replacing the exterior with an aluminum surface with a wood appearance.

“It’s a warm design and has a residential look,” Debb said. “This is the first of probably more in the village. We have to do this one right and do it spectacularly.”

Though one zoning board member was absent, the rest reviewed the plan positively.

“I love the way it looks,” member Patty Errera said. “I think it’s going to help that area tremendously.”