The north suburban village of Wilmette gave final approval on Optima’s plans for a mixed-use development of 109 apartments and street-level retail at 1210 Central Ave. Optima plans to break ground in late 2021 at the site, which is occupied by a bank and is across the street from the Metra commuter train station at Green Bay Road.

Optima has offices in nearby Glencoe and a long history of developing North Shore projects. In 2010, it completed the 660-unit Optima Old Orchard Woods condominium building in Skokie, one of 20 North Shore projects by the company. According to Optima officials, their new Wilmette project will include environmentally friendly features and design elements that help it blend with the rest of downtown.

“As with each project we design and build, we’re very careful to ensure the buildings respect their environment and have a positive impact on the surrounding neighborhood,” Optima CEO David Hovey said in a press release. “This development will be no different, as not only will it deliver the size of homes and amenities residents in Wilmette want, but the exterior design will feature our signature vertical landscaping system and public art component that will enhance the downtown community’s energy and aesthetic.”

Hovey designed the new Wilmette development, which will have one-, two- and three-bedroom rental units and more than 8K SF of street-level commercial space. Floors one through three will use bird-friendly glass, and the 173 parking spaces will include some electric vehicle charging stations.

Read the full feature at Bisnow