New Solo Cup neighborhood named The Bowery, will be for-sale townhomes

There is now a quicker way to refer to the grand development set for the long-vacant former Solo Cup property in Highland Park.

The Bowery, per an April 7 press release from developer Habitat and partner M/I Homes, is the name for the neighborhood that will eventually feature 227 for-sale residences. Developers are expected to close on the site this spring and begin construction later this year.

“We’re eager to bring our experience and insight to this joint venture in transforming a long-underutilized property into a residential neighborhood that reflects the preferences and lifestyles of today’s homeowners,” said Rick Champine, president of M/I Homes, in the release.

The Bowery will feature 48 townhome buildings with a total of 227 three-bedroom residences — some of them also including a den. Thirty-four of the homes, or 15%, will be available as affordable units in accordance with the city’s Inclusionary Housing Plan.

Each townhome will offer an attached two-car garage, with additional street parking. The development will also include a resident clubhouse, dog park, publicly accessible tot lot and a preserved open space with walking trails.

Habitat has been working with Highland Park to develop the 28-acre former site of the demolished Solo Cup manufacturing facility into a residential community since October 2024.

“It took the right team with the right experience to shape a viable plan for a townhome development that would align with community priorities, respond to today’s housing demands and deliver lasting value to Highland Park and its residents,” said Matt Fiascone, president of Habitat said in the release, in response to multiple proposals that had been floated for the site over the years.

City Council voted unanimously on Feb. 9, this year, to move forward with Habitat’s plan for the site, one of multiple plans proposed for the large site over the past decade.

“The next step was partnering with a proven homebuilder with an extensive track record of bringing high-quality for-sale housing to suburban locations and that shared vision for this project, which led us to M/I Homes,” Fiascone said in a press release, in response to City Council’s vote.

M/I Homes previously completed townhome developments such as Sterling Place in Northbrook, The Villas at Link Crossing in Buffalo Grove and The Townes at Barclay in Lincolnshire.

The Highland Park property has wetlands and trees running along its southern and western border and is near Red Oak Elementary School and businesses including many restaurants, a Jewel-Osco and a Whole Foods Market. The development also provides easy access to Edens Expressway.

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