The Grand Blue Line Is Getting A Luxe Transit-Oriented Development

By Mae Rice in News on Jul 19, 2016 2:08PM

Rendering of 710 W. Grand by Brininstool+Lynch

Plans for yet another Blue Line-adjacent transit-oriented development are moving forward. The nine-story, 105-unit complex, River West Flats, will be located less than a minute's walk from the Grand Blue Line stop. Developer Wicker Park Apartments just obtained demolition permits for the building at the TOD's address-to-be (710 W. Grand Ave.), Curbed reports. They also secured demolition permits for its immediate neighbors.

Located in the Fulton River District area and designed by Brininstool+Lynch (the folks behind several other Blue Line-adjacent TODs), this TOD will have 45 sparking spaces for its 105 units, creating a unit-to-parking-space ratio of 0.43 that encourages (and kind of requires) residents to use public transit. That's just one of the eco-friendly design touches, too. The building will also have rooftop solar panels, and developers plan to not only use recycled building materials, but also have a "recycling room" in the building. The plan is to get the building LEED certified.

The plan is also for this to be an upscale space. There will be a rooftop deck, and bedrooms "for kings" with complimentary DirecTV subscriptions, according to the complex's website. There will be no affordable-priced units in the complex, either. Rather than making 10 percent of units affordable, per city ordinance, Curbed reports that the developers will pay into the city's affordable housing fund.

You can see the latest renderings of the TOD-to-be above and here, and read more about the design on Curbed.

Rendering of 710 W. Grand by Brininstool+Lynch