Luxury-condo project would replace several buildings in Winnetka’s Hubbard Woods district

The developer behind One Winnetka has returned to the Winnetka Village Council with a proposal that, if approved, would add a mixed-use development to the Hubbard Woods district.

Jon Talty, chief executive officer of OKW Architects, presented his concept to the council during its regular meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 21.

The proposed development, known as Tower Court Condominiums, would see the demolition of several existing structures:
• 901-905 Green Bay Road (occupants: Rebel House interior design and Red Spade landscape design);
• 907-909 Green Bay Road (Bella Bleu Bridal and Alexandra Kaehler Design);
• 911-913 Green Bay Road (Munder-Skiles and a residence); and
• 1007-1011 Tower Road (Europa Motors).

In their place, Talty’s team would build a four-story, mixed-use building with one floor of retail and three floors of residential.

Talty is proposing a 15,400-square-foot first floor that would house retail and potentially a restaurant; 12 to 16 condominiums on the three upper levels; and a total of 36 parking spaces, seven of which would be at street level and 29 in an underground parking garage.

Also being proposed is a penthouse on the top floor, but Talty said it will not be for residential use but roof access. The intent is that the roof of the building will be a garden that can be used by residents of the fourth floor.

He added that the residential units will be custom-built for purchasers.

“They can take as much or as little space as they would like for their residences,” Talty said. “The intentions are for these to be much larger (units), starting north of 3,000 square feet. There are purchasers out there and there are those who want this type of living, and they want to determine and dictate what that living environment is like.”

The development team would be seeking zoning relief for multiple aspects of the building, including the height. The proposed height of the building is 62 feet, while Winnetka’s limit is 45 feet.

Parking relief is also being requested. According to the village, the minimum number of on-site parking spaces is 61, with 30 for residential and 31 for commercial.

The plans received a mostly positive first response from trustees.

“I love the project,” Trustee Tina Dalman said. “I think it will be fantastic.”

While they said they liked the concept, however, all trustees shared similar concerns that they would like Talty and the development team to address.

One of the biggest concerns was parking.

Dalman said especially since Talty would like to have a restaurant on the first floor, she believes that it will add congestion to an area with existing parking challenges.

“I think parking is already tight there,” she said. “If you put another restaurant…it’s going to put stress on the corridor.”

Other trustees echoed Dalman’s concerns about parking.

“Seven spots for guests and the public using commercial spaces seems light to me,” Trustee Bridget Orsic said.

Besides parking, trustees also expressed concerns about the proposed height of the building.

Trustee Kim Handler, who participated virtually, said the proposed building would clash with the existing buildings.

“It’s very out of keeping with the rest of the whole corridor,” she said. “That whole corridor does feel very tight, and I think the 60-something feet will feel quite looming over Green Bay Road, which I don’t think would be a positive.”

Trustee Kirk Albinson said while he appreciates the desire to add housing to Winnetka, he believes the massing of the building is too much.

“I personally am not in favor of allowing any sort of variance or exception to the height,” he said, adding that he isn’t sold on the village’s current maximum height of 45 feet.

Albinson said he believes granting the height variance will set a precedent for future developers who will then continue to propose tall buildings in Winnetka.

“I’m only one voice (but) I’m going to be steadfastly holding to our height limitations on this corridor,” he said. “I think it’s really important.”

He also encouraged the team to create a “timeless” design for the building, and “not to be too tempted with the current fads that are out there.”

Village President Bob Dearborn asked Talty and the rest of his team to consider trustees’ feedback but also keep pursuing the development.

If the developers decide to move forward, they would next have to appear in front of the Village’s Design Review Board.

Dearborn said at the end of discussions, “We hope you consider going through that process.”

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