Optima Inc. has received approval from the village of Wilmette to develop its latest mixed-use project on Chicago’s North Side.

The company plans to develop 109 luxury apartments along with more than 8,000 square feet of street-level retail at 1210 Central Ave., across the street from the Metra station at Green Bay Road. The project is slated to break ground in late 2021.

Optima, is known for its residential developments around the Chicago and Phoenix areas. The company in particular has targeted the North Shore, where it has developed 20 projects including the 660-unit Optima Old Orchard Woods condominium development in Skokie.

The company also started construction last month on Optima Lakeview, a mixed-use, transit-oriented development located at 3460 N. Broadway in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood. The project has been designed to include 198 apartments and street-level retail, and is slated to open in 2022.

Optima’s new project in Wilmette has been drawn up to include one-, two- and three-bedroom units to go along with 28 street parking spaces for public use. It is also set to feature Optima’s vertical landscaping system that includes self-containing irrigation and drainage for specially chosen plants that will stay green through cold Chicago winters.

Planned amenities at the project include a rooftop pool and sky deck access, electric vehicle charging stations, 173 parking spaces and access to a residential courtyard. An 8-foot tall sculpture, to be created by David Hovey, the building’s designer, will be situated near the building’s entry along with benches for the public to enjoy the view.
The project is scheduled to be completed in 2023, and Optima aims to earn Green Globes Certification for the building.

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