Lincoln Common apartments debut in Lincoln Park
The first rental building in the Lincoln Common development opened Monday on the site of the old Children’s Memorial Hospital in Lincoln Park. The 20-story apartment building from McCaffery Interests and Hines will be joined in a few weeks by a nearly identical rental building in the mixed-use development. A seven-story condo building is expected to break ground soon in the development, which also will include a six-story office building, a senior living facility and more than 100,000 square feet of office and retail space. [Crain’s]
Developer sues over blocked Mundelein senior housing project
Libertyville-based The DeBruler Company is suing the village of Mundelein to build a 45-unit apartment building for low-income seniors downtown. Vice President Tim DeBruler said the firm bought the vacant 1.4-acre parcel from an investment firm that previously acquired the property in a government tax deed auction. But village officials claim they are still bound by a 13-year-old agreement with a prior owner who wanted to build 27 townhomes on the site, prompting DeBruler to sue. [Mundelein Review]
South Loop hotel gets $75M makeover
The new Hotel Essex opened Monday on South Michigan Avenue after a $75 million overhaul. The 14-story former Essex Inn joins the new Essex on the Park apartment building next door. The hotel features a French bistro and a bakery/coffee shop on the ground floor, plus a bilevel bar and lounge with views of Grant Park and the lake. Chicago-based Oxford Capital Group partnered with Quadrum Global on the development of the apartment tower and rehab of the hotel. Oxford Hotels & Resorts is managing the 274-key hotel. [Chicago Tribune]
Two Brothers redeveloping Naperville coffee shop and bar into “Barrel House”
Two Brothers has closed the Craftsman Cafe in downtown Naperville, with plans to convert its first-floor space and the tavern above it into the two-story Two Brothers Barrel House later this month. The new two-story bar and restaurant at 16 West Jefferson Avenue will feature artisan spirits and beer, craft cocktails and comfort food, Two Brothers said on Facebook. Two Brothers also operates the Tap House in Warrenville, the Two Brothers Roundhouse in Aurora, and a brewery and tap house in Scottsdale, Ariz. [Naperville Sun]