D.R. Horton plans expansion of Lombard townhouse development near mall

Homebuilder D.R. Horton has helped bring new life to Yorktown Center with a townhouse development that’s part of a residential district north of the traditional mall complex in Lombard.

With that project still underway, the builder has set its sights on the adjacent property — the remaining portion of a vacant retail center — to expand The Summit at Yorktown community to the west.

“We’re going to make this development look like it’s seamless,” said Chris Funkhouser, a land acquisition project manager for D.R. Horton.

Synergy Construction & Development also has a luxury apartment complex taking shape close to the mall. The old Carson’s department anchor store was torn down to pave the way for planned green space between the mall and the Yorktown Reserve apartments. The addition of multifamily housing is designed to help revitalize Yorktown with built-in residents who can patronize its shops and restaurants.

“The news about expanding The Summit at Yorktown is good news for Yorktown Center, as new neighbors bring increased vibrancy. Yorktown Center serves as a magnet for growth in our area,” said Gayle Gleespen, Yorktown’s marketing and business development manager, in a statement. “Our development plans, including expanded residential, retail, restaurant and green spaces continue to make Yorktown Center a desirable destination to live, work and play.”

Horton also has floated a proposal to develop a uniquely shaped property east of Yorktown — the former Northern Baptist Theological Seminary property — with approximately 159 townhouse units.

“We’ve had some success, obviously, with The Summit at Yorktown in our first phase,” Funkhouser recently told the village’s plan commission.

Horton secured zoning approvals in 2022 for a 90-unit townhouse development at the northwest corner of Grace Street and the mall ring road. It was the site of a portion of the Yorktown Convenience Center, a commercial strip center with a green roof.

“We have 20 plus units still to go. The last buildings are currently vertical,” Funkhouser said.

The builder is under contract to purchase the roughly 3.6-acre property to the west that once included a Carson's furniture store.

The proposed second phase of the development calls for nearly 60 townhouse units spread across 11 buildings “of the same urban-style rowhome architectural design, character and color scheme as the 90-unit Summit Phase 1 community” to the east, project documents state.

“The second phase will consist of 59 townhome units and will be constructed as a continuation of phase one, so there will be connected internal driveways and a cohesive design scheme throughout both phases of the development,” said Anna Papke, the village’s planning and zoning manager.

The plan commission has given a positive recommendation for the proposed project. Lombard trustees are expected to consider the plans in December.