‘Upscale’ McDonald’s proposed in Lake Zurich
Developers have a green light to start Lake Zurich’s approval process in an effort to construct a McDonald’s that would have an “upscale” appearance as part of a retail project pegged for Route 22 and Quentin Road.
If built, the new-look McDonald’s would join anchor Mariano’s Fresh Market on the 15-acre site. Steve Pagnotta, founder of Chicago-based Bradford Real Estate Companies, said PNC and Chase banks also are planned for the property.
“I think the fact that McDonald’s has identified this location, along with Chase and Mariano’s and so forth, it starts to demonstrate that this is the beginning of a retail corridor,” Pagnotta said during an informal presentation before the Lake Zurich village board Monday evening.
Village board trustees in July approved the 74,000-square-foot Mariano’s and the banks for what’s called Bradford Town Crossing. Bradford Real Estate will need to amend its agreement with the village to add the McDonald’s into the mix at the northwest corner of Quentin and Route 22.
Pagnotta said Bradford Real Estate intends to start clearing trees on the site in the winter if a deal for the property closes as expected by year’s end. He said it’s hoped the Mariano’s building would be finished by fall 2013 and open in January 2014, with the banks and McDonald’s following a similar timetable.
Bradford’s vice president of development, John Schoditsch, said the “upscale prototype” McDonald’s would be constructed of mostly brick with some stone. He said the eatery would have a double drive-through.
McDonald’s Corp. spokeswoman Danya Proud didn’t respond to a request Tuesday for more details regarding the prototype referenced at the village board session.
Lake Zurich Trustee Tom Poynton said provided there are no “garish” golden arches on the building, the proposed McDonald’s should gain his support.
“I couldn’t be happier with this style of a McDonald’s,” Poynton said.
Village board members agreed Monday that Bradford Real Estate may proceed with the McDonald’s proposal before the advisory plan commission. The village board gets the final say in the matter.