4-unit project in Winnetka neighborhood resurrected

A pitch to redevelop a quarter-acre property near downtown Winnetka has come back to life — more than four years after planners first detailed their vision to city officials.

Winnetka’s Village Council during its July 7 meeting held a conceptual plan review of a proposal for a two-story, multi-family residential use development at 455 Linden St., just south of the community’s downtown area.

Current plans call for the demolition of the existing two-story residential building on the site and construction of a new four-unit building that would also feature 10 underground parking spaces. Each unit would measure just under 1,700 square feet, according to village documents.

The first-floor units on the north side of the building would include access to a terrace located above the part of the garage that extends north of the building, plan documents show. Access to the garage would come via a driveway along the east side of the property and the front entrance of the building would face Cherry Street, per village documents.

The proposed site for the project is on the northeast corner of the intersection of Linden and Cherry and is situated in a largely residential area of Winnetka.

But the Winnetka-Northfield Public Library is located just north along Linden while multi-family developments are to the east. Single-family homes as well as Grace Presbyterian Church are located across Cherry.

As previously reported by The Record, Winnetka’s Village Council in early 2022 granted zoning variations and a certificate of appropriateness to allow construction of a new four-unit multi-family residential building on the site.

According to Scott Mangum, Winnetka’s community development director, however, construction of that project did not begin within 12 months of the effective date of the ordinance, which was a condition of approval from village trustees.

Ownership of the property has since changed, according to Mangum, who later added that the proposal trustees reviewed Tuesday night is “for all intents and purposes” the same as what was previously approved in 2022.

Public records show the property sold for $1.1 million in late 2025.

Due to an updated plat of survey that exceeds 10,000 square feet, the proposal must go through the village’s planned development process.

The Village Council was generally receptive toward the overall proposal but trustees cautioned the applicant, Lux Builders NorthShore, that more work must be done — particularly in the design of the proposed building.

“I think this is a useful concept for the neighborhood,” Trustee Bridget Orsic said. “We need more housing like this. So I think it’s a welcome addition to the neighborhood, we just have to make sure it’s done really well.”

Village President Bob Dearborn as well as trustees Rob Apatoff and Tina Dalman did express hesitations about the early-stage architectural look of the potential new building, but as Dearborn noted, the project will face “high-level scrutiny” and review when Winnetka’s Design Review Board considers the proposal.

“This is the kind of housing that is welcomed in this town … (but) it is going right into the center of a residential community and they will be active,” Dearborn said. “You will hear from the neighbors and I would encourage you to work with the neighbors as you hear from them.”

Dalman said she was “excited” to see the project come back.

“Thanks for bringing this back to life,” she told the development team.

Following review from the Design Review Board, which could happen as soon as three-four weeks, the project will also need consideration from Winnetka’s Planned Development Commission.

The Record is a nonprofit, nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism.

Become a member of The Record to fund responsible news coverage for your community.

Already a member? You can make a tax-deductible donation at any time.