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Townhomes proposed for Craftsman metal site in Lakeview
Developers John Pellouchoud and Boghos Angel Sarkissian want to build a 28-unit complex at 1225 West School Street
A pair of developers is moving forward with plans to build a cluster of four-story townhomes on the site of one of the last industrial manufacturers in Lakeview.
John Pellouchoud and Boghos Angel Sarkissian submitted a zoning application to build 28 units spread across the one-acre property at 1225 West School Street. They would replace the facility that was operated for decades by the Craftsman Plating and Tinning corporation until it shut down in September.
The units would measure about 2,800 square feet with a below-ground parking stall, and each would sport a unique facade to give it a “distinct character,” according to Pellouchoud, who is also managing principal of the Chicago-based commercial brokerage SCGroup.
Pellouchoud and Sarkissian settled on their proposal after talking to local brokers and Alderman Tom Tunney (44th), who pointed to unmet demand for townhomes in West Lakeview.
“We essentially had a blank space with a full acre, and we got people together and asked what kind of property people need in this area right now,” Pellouchoud said. “We heard over and over that there’s a lack of housing in that area that fills the gap between these beautiful upscale two- and three-flats, and single-family homes.”
Pellouchoud said each unit would be designed to be accessible to wheelchair users, and about half the property would be landscaped green space. He hopes to eventually market the homes between $1 and $1.5 million each.
The development team is under contract to buy the land, Pellouchoud said. They expect to close after the City Council approves their requested zoning change, and after they study how much it will cost to clean up the longtime metals manufacturing site.
Tunney supports “the basics” of the proposal, but asked the developers to tweak their plans for traffic flow and trash pickup, according to Bennett Lawson, the alderman’s chief of staff. Pending those changes, Lawson said the plan could score city approval as early as this summer.
A few blocks to the east, Chicago-based BlitzLake Partners plans to build an eight-story complex with 140 apartments on top of 10,000 square feet of retail space.