Chicago-Construction is underway on the first of seven "City-Flat" condominium buildings at the Westhaven Park community, two blocks north of the United Center on the Near West Side.

Planned for 764 housing units, the expansive $200-million residential community is being developed on 26.5 acres of land on the site of the former Henry Horner Homes housing complex, bounded by Hermitage, Lake, Oakley and Washington.

Success Already

The City Flats-consisting of 60 market-rate and affordable work-force for-sale condominiums-are being built in the seven 3-story walk-up buildings, noted Richard J. Sciortino, president of Brinshore Development, LLC, and co-developer of Westhaven Park with the Michaels Development Co. Each building contains eight or nine residential units.

"Condominium sales at Westhaven Park have been extremely successful," said Sciortino. "The City Flats at Westhaven Park are already more than 75 percent sold, and only six market-rate units are available for sale in our 113-unit mid-rise building, which is well under construction and scheduled for occupancy next spring.

Breaking New Ground

"Sales now are underway from the sales center and a furnished 2-bedroom, 2-bath condominium model is on display," said Pam Gecan, marketing manager for AMS Realty, exclusive sales and marketing agents for the development.

A ground breaking ceremony was held on November 16th at the Westhaven Park sales center, 140 N. Wood St., according to Sciortino. The event was attended by Commissoner Jack Markowski, of the City's Department of Housing, Terry Peterson, CEO of the Chicago Housing Authority, William T. Cahill, deputy director of Citibank Community Development Corp., 2nd Ward Ald. Madelaine Haithcock, 27th Ward Ald. Walter Burnett and other city officials and dignitaries.

"Today marks another step forward in our 10-year journey to build healthy mixed-income communities," said Peterson. "This development houses working families and professionals side-by-side with CHA residents and offers a better quality of life to the entire neighborhood."

Rapidly Selling While Rapidly Building

In addition to the City Flats, Westhaven Park consists of a 113-unit mid-rise building containing 79 market-rate and affordable work force for-sale condominiums and 34 one-bedroom Chicago Housing Authority units.

Of the 79 market-rate and affordable work-force residences, 73 have been sold. The development also features 155 new rental apartment units. Construction is expected to move rapidly ahead on the City Flats starting in late 2005 and into spring and summer of 2006, said Greg Olson, vice president of Michael's Development Co.

"The construction cycle for the City Flats is a shorter duration than the mid-rise building because they contain just eight and nine units," Olson said. The first City Flats are scheduled for completion in August of 2006. Final completion is slated for March of 2007.

A Series of City Flats

Construction financing for the City Flats is being provided by Citibank Community Development Corp. New England Builders, Inc. of Skokie is the general contractor. Architects are Landon Bone Baker Architects, Ltd. of Chicago. McShane Construction Corp. of Rosemont is the general contractor for the mid-rise at Westhaven Park.

One-bedroom, 1-bedroom-plus-den, 2-bedroom, 2-bath and 3-bedroom 2-bath condominiums in the walk-up City-Flat buildings feature 1,191 to 1,348 square feet of living area. One-bedroom units are sold out, said Sciortino. Pre-construction base prices range from $248,800 to $310,800.

"Westhaven Park is an innovative prototype for the future of urban housing in the Windy City," said Sciortino, who noted that the new community is transforming the rapidly emerging Near West Side neighborhood.

The Future of the Near West Side

"Many buyers at Westhaven Park are medical professionals who work in the nearby West Side Medical District," said Sciortino. "We also have staff who work at the nearby University of Illinois Campus, Chicago police officers, public school teachers and various professionals who work downtown."

Meanwhile, the West Loop, Chicago's most attractive new downtown residential neighborhood, is growing so fast and so successfully developers are setting their sights further west-to Ashland Avenue and beyond, experts say.

"With the West Loop nearly filled with upscale condominium developments and the extremely successful 'Restaurant Row' along Randolph and 'Greektown' on Halsted providing a chic dining scene, the best bargains for young professional condo buyers now are west of Ashland on the emerging Near West Side," said Sciortino.

West Loop Close for Comfort

East of Ashland, the en vogue West Loop neighborhood is a blend of existing industrial lofts and new construction--home to more than 5,000 new lofts, condominiums, townhomes and single-family homes built in the last 10 years.

Many of the established neighborhood and area amenities are found east of Ashland, including Walgreens, White Hen, Dominicks, Blockbuster and numerous other specialty stores. The area boasts more than 25 new restaurants, a wine bar, a fruit and vegetable emporium, cafes and 30 notable art galleries.

Check Out Westhaven Park

Prospective buyers are invited to visit the Westhaven Park sales center and furnished condominium model at 140 N. Wood St., near Lake and Wood. The sales center is open Monday and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday noon to 4 p.m. The center is closed Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. For more information, please call Anne Marie Garza at 312-421-0404, or visit our Web site.

For information on rental apartments at Westhaven Park, please visit the rental office at 2237 W. Maypole. The office is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Please call 312-421-9992.