Developers acquire former Solo Cup site in Highland Park for townhouse development

Developers have acquired the former Solo Cup Company factory in Lake County for an anticipated summer groundbreaking of The Bowery of Highland Park, a 227-townhouse community.

A joint venture of Chicago-based Habitat and M/I Homes of Chicago this week announced the acquisition of the 28-acre site at 1700 Old Deerfield Road as a key step in the proposed redevelopment of the property.

The partners have been pursuing plans to transform the long-vacant site, described as one of the few remaining large-scale residential redevelopment opportunities in Highland Park.

“This closing is an important step forward for a project that has involved more than a year of coordination with the city and community stakeholders,” Habitat President Matt Fiascone said in the announcement.

“With the site acquisition complete, we're focused on advancing construction and delivering much-needed housing and long-term value to Highland Park,” he added.

Solo Cup moved its headquarters from Highland Park to Lake Forest in 2009 and closed manufacturing operations. The property was sold and by 2015 had been cleared.

Neighbors objected to the redevelopment plan early on but it was refined and has resulted in a better version of the original, observers say. Revisions included reducing the proposed number of housing units from 262 to 227 and offering them for sale rather than as rentals.

The city council approved a redevelopment plan for the property in February that includes about 9 acres of the 28-plus-acre site left as open space abutting Ridge Road.

“Development of this site has been a major priority for the city,” said Mayor Nancy Rotering.

“This townhome development represents a significant investment in middle-market housing, which supports our commitment to welcoming new families and helping residents who have called Highland Park home for decades to age in place.”

Besides townhouses, the project will feature a resident clubhouse with an outdoor pool, dog park, publicly accessible tot lot, landscaped parkways, preserved open space and walking trails connecting to surrounding neighborhoods.

Rick Champine, area president of M/I Homes, said this type of housing is in demand.

“We look forward to transforming this long-underutilized property into a carefully planned neighborhood that aligns with the preferences of today’s homebuyers,” he said.

The approved plan calls for 48 townhouse buildings with three-bedroom and three-bedroom-plus-den offerings. Thirty-four of the homes will be offered to qualifying persons per the city's Inclusionary Housing Plan.

The property is bordered by preserved wetlands and mature trees on the south and west boundaries. It's close to the Edens Expressway, downtown Highland Park, restaurants, retailers, Ravinia Festival, Chicago Botanic Garden and other attractions.