Plans for a new seven-story condominium building at 510 Sheridan Road drew a favorable response in its first review by city staff Wednesday.
A computer rendering of the proposed 510 Sheridan building viewed from the northwest.
Developer Bob Horner said he had met repeatedly with Alderman Melissa Wynne, 3rd Ward, to adjust the design to meet concerns of neighbors.
The project, originally designed to have 44 units, has been reduced to 40 units, with a height ranging from 42 feet on the east end to 73.5 feet at its maximum on the west side of the building, for an average height of just under 58 feet.
Mr. Horner said the changes respond to concerns from neighbors that the new structure not overwhelm the older, shorter buildings to the east of it.
The development team also met with representatives of Design Evanston, Mr. Horner said. who suggested the west end of the building looked too massive. In response, the developer created a setback for the top floor on the west side and added more windows to the west facade.
Ald. Wynne said earlier this week that she believes the latest design for the project is appropriate for the site.
The site is currently zoned R5, which limits the average height of a building to 50 feet, or five stories. However, the zoning code requires that projects of this size be treated as planned developments. For a planned development in a residential zone, the City Council can choose to increase the height limit by up to 12 feet.
The building design has the apartment living areas angled to capture the best views of Lake Michigan to the east.
The new building would have 39 two-bedroom units and one three-bedroom units. Under city zoning, that requires 61 parking spaces.
The development would have 63 parking spaces, 29 enclosed on the first level of the building and the rest in an open parking lot behind the building.
Mr. Horner said the existing structure on the site, a four-story building constructed around 1960, is “nearing the end of its economic life.â€
The existing apartment building at 510 Sheridan Road.
“Someting needs to be done,†he said, “and a project of less than 40 units is the minimum feasible. The land cost would not support doing less.â€
Mr. Horner said he planned to make a contribution to the city’s affordable housing program as a “give back†to the city in return for the requested planned development allowances. But he said he wanted to speak further with Ald. Wynne before determining the amount of the contribution.
He said he anticipates construction of the new building wouldn’t begin for at least 18 months and that given the fluidity of the marketplace it’s too early to establish price points for the units.
The new building would be consturcted of patterned concrete with cedar facing on the balconies and glass balcony railings. A metal panel system would be used for some upper side walls.
Assistant Community Development Director Carolyn Brzezinski said, “I think it’s a really beautiful design and want to complement you on that. You’ve had to balance a lot of criteria and have successfully customized the building to the site.â€
Because the project was scheduled only for a preliminary review, the Site Plan and Appearance Review Committee did not take a formal vote on it.
Related story
Daily Northwestern – Committee discusses condo plan at meeting
Condo project at 510 Sheridan
Hi Bill-
Do you (or does anyone else) know the status of this project? I live in this neighborhood and I’m not sure if this project is still moving forward. I would appreciate any information you might have or if you could direct me to the best place for information. Thanks.
My understanding is that the developer has decided not to go forward with the project.
— Bill
510 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL
Hello, I just happened to google in 510 Sheridan Road, Evanston and found your article…..I lived at 510 Sheridan Road, Evanston for 18 years from 1980-1998. I was quite surprised when the original owner, Solar Management Company sold it to another owner that would continue to just rent it…this was in 2002 when condo conversions were flourishing….I was surprised then that a developer didn’t purchase the building, level it and build then what you were proposing. The original design and building has become colder and colder with each passing winter…the building was a Florida design not built to really withstand Chicago Winters and in fact while i lived on the west side of that building each subsequent winter became colder as we lost tall trees on that side of the building every summer due to harsh winds and rain.
Now, as I pass by, I see the present owner is attempting to rebuild the outer walls with steel and put in new windows….the building has terrible flooding problems in the basement most likely due to its close proximity to the lake…so, although i have many fond memories of my time there….many elderly people lived there at the time…we were all like a family at the time….I could never understand how such a prime site could have been overlooked for new design and construction……But in 2009, with the economy in this condition, it’s just not going to happen.
Marc