224 Condominiums
33 Townhomes
27,000 SF Retail & Commercial
A single story commercial building on Madison Street in a commercial area lacked the physical arrangement to accommodate larger retailers and provided minimal potential for significant parking in any adjacency. The structure was outmoded and lacked the scale and presence to lure a desired tenant.
Several large deep one- and two-story warehouse buildings occupied much of the site interior. These masonry buildings were inappropriate for rehabilitation due to a large amount of non-windowed, non-street fronted spaces.
One well maintained mill building at the west edge of the site was attractive as a candidate for loft conversion with its Chicago common brick and heavy timber construction. The building lacked adequate frontage to create units with much amenity, however, it was retained for conversion to residential lofts because of its desirable loft aesthetics.
One larger building to the east, while having limited historical significance, provided a needed connection with the community’s past and was retained. The smaller, heavily designed structure on the east block was targeted for an addition. Masonry and heavy timber mill buildings converted to lofts have attracted residents to the community.
The primary shopping streets intentionally provided curb-to-building paving to encourage active pedestrian usage while maintaining commercial tenant visibility necessary to draw the interest of sizable retail tenants.
Green relief and shading are provided by canopy street trees. Secondary streets fronted by town homes were restored with parkways. Definition of the town home private yards, public streets, and walks are delineated through the use of ornamental iron fences. The maximum number of dwelling units were oriented toward public streets and the landscape courtyards to promote safety.
Each block contains a sizable interior green space. The west block provides a 20,700 square foot Japanese garden, complete with koi pond. The easterly block provides a green buffer between the rear of the street-fronting town homes and the larger six story building.
