Developers Sharing Updated Plans for Hollander Apartment Project Receive Support from Neighbors
Developers behind the long-awaited Hollander apartment project in Logan Square have presented revised plans to the community, generating positive feedback from neighbors. GW Properties, the owner of the Hollander Storage & Moving site, unveiled the fifth version of their apartment proposal during a recent community meeting. The development has been in the pipeline since 2018 when GW Properties acquired the property.
While retaining many of the exterior and design elements from previous proposals, the updated plans showcase increased density, larger retail space, and more spacious apartments compared to the 2022 proposal. The majority of neighbors and community members were pleased with the updated plans, although some expressed concerns about affordability, parking, bikeability, and potential retail tenants.
GW Properties intends to renovate the Hollander building and replace the neighboring one-story building and parking lot with an integrated apartment complex. The new plans feature 62 loft-style industrial apartments, ranging from one to three bedrooms and studios. Additionally, there will be approximately 13,000 square feet of retail space, a slight increase from the previous proposal.
Each apartment unit will span 800-1,000 square feet, with 20 percent designated as affordable housing under the city’s Affordable Requirements Ordinance. To enhance accessibility and minimize congestion along Milwaukee Avenue, the residential entrance will be relocated to the Fullerton Avenue side of the building.
While retail tenants have yet to be confirmed, GW Properties hinted at the possibility of Guidepost Montessori, a previous signatory to the proposal, occupying part of the retail space. Some attendees at the meeting urged the developers to consider incorporating a grocery store, a long-desired addition to the area.
GW Properties faced financial challenges due to cost increases related to the pandemic, rendering their previous plans unfeasible. Thus, the revised proposal represents a strategic deviation from their earlier vision. Mitch Goltz, the president, and founder of GW Properties, emphasized their commitment to preserving the 112-year-old property by conserving elements such as terracotta exteriors and restoring the lobby and marble walls.
Regarding parking, the project will provide nine on-site parking spaces, with up to 20 additional spaces available underneath the nearby CTA tracks. To encourage alternative transportation options and leverage the nearby Blue Line stops, developers anticipate that residents will prioritize biking or using public transit. The building’s basement will accommodate 100 bike parking spaces.
The community expressed mixed reactions to the plans, with some residents voicing concerns about parking and alley noise. However, the majority supported the project’s preservation efforts and welcomed the revitalization of the deteriorating building.
Charlie Ockerlund, a member of Logan Square Preservation, emphasized the importance of affordable housing in the rapidly changing neighborhood. While praising the adaptive reuse of the property, Ockerlund called for a commitment to rental affordability across the entirety of the development.
Andy Schneider, president of Logan Square Preservation, lauded the updated plans that strike a balance between preservation and rejuvenation. He emphasized the detrimental impact of the vacant and crumbling property on the neighborhood.
With most neighbors expressing support for the project, GW Properties aims to proceed with the necessary city approvals in consultation with Alderman Daniel La Spata’s office. The site, once home to Hollander Storage & Moving for over a century, has been primarily used for record storage since its sale in 2018.
GW Properties’ latest presentation marks a significant milestone in the Hollander apartment project, which has experienced numerous iterations and delays over the past years. The enthusiastic response from the community indicates a renewed optimism that the project may finally come to fruition, paving the way for the transformation of the old storage site into a vibrant residential and retail complex.
The Logan Square Preservation group will continue to gather feedback from the community and pass it on to Alderman La Spata’s office. Residents and interested parties can contribute their thoughts via email. As the project requires a zoning change, it’s crucial to address any concerns and ensure that the revised plans align with the community’s needs.
In conclusion, the updated plans for the Hollander apartment project have garnered significant support from the Logan Square community. With a focus on preservation, accessibility, and expanded retail space, developers aim to transform the dilapidated Hollander Storage & Moving site into a vibrant mixed-use complex that meets the area’s needs. As the project advances through the necessary city approvals, the community eagerly awaits the realization of this long-anticipated endeavor.
