A change in plan: Long held property in Vernon Hills set for apartments
Twenty two years after property was acquired east of Milwaukee Avenue to the Des Plaines River in Vernon Hills, a project has been greenlighted for development, though for a different purpose than originally intended.
Nearly 10 acres across the heavily traveled road from the former American Hotel Register had been envisioned as an extension of the village’s commercial/retail corridor along south Milwaukee Avenue.
But the proposed use changed with the times. The plan now calls for a residential community of 291 apartments and 18 townhouses.
“In the intervening years, economic, social, political and financial conditions have evolved significantly, rendering the original development concept nonviable,” according to a project description submitted by Conor Commercial Real Estate.
Characteristics such as easy access to retail and commercial services, major employers, quality schools and recreation combined with the site’s relative seclusion make it compelling for multifamily use, according to Conor.
Conor, headquartered in Chicago as part of Rosemont-based The McShane Companies, is a national leader in multifamily construction and development.
Affiliates of McShane bought the Vernon Hills property in pieces from 1988 to 2004. The McShane Construction Company built the American Hotel Register headquarters and Brookdale Senior Living, immediately west and north of the site respectively.
The luxury rental community will occupy eight acres on the west bank of the Des Plaines River just south of Captain Daniel Wright Woods Forest Preserve. A connection to the Des Plaines River Trail, which traverses Lake County from north to south, is planned.
Similar projects include the 248-unit Woodview Apartments in Deerfield and a 138-unit development under construction in Downers Grove, according to Conor.
The Vernon Hills project will feature a 300,000-square-foot “wrap style” building similar to the Domaine on the Hawthorn mall property and feature four separate courtyards/lawns.
Four floors would be above grade with a partial walk-out garden floor facing the river made possible by a steep drop. A five-story parking garage would be hidden within the interior of the building.
Townhomes would be arranged opposite the main lobby
Conor initially presented the plan to the village board at an informal committee of the whole meeting in June 2024.
Most of the time since has been spent attempting to acquire an easement through property to the south to allow access to a traffic signal, said Andrew Jennings, community development director.
However, that ownership remains unclear. In the interim Conor sought and obtained approval from the Illinois Department of Transportation for a full access drive at the north end of its property.
On April 22, the village’s planning and zoning commission recommended rezoning the property and other requests, with various conditions. The village board last week informally agreed and ordinances will be drawn for official approval at a future meeting.