GFF Architects
A developer’s vision for North Henderson Avenue includes a mixed development of restaurants, offices, a park and an underground parking garage, plus new sidewalks and landscaping.
Open Realty Advisors, which owns dozens of properties on the avenue, wants a zoning change to build on a 4.5-acres at Glencoe and Henderson. It will comprise about 190,000 square feet, including about 12,000 square feet of restaurant space.
Mark Masinter of Open Realty says they’re working with neighbors to come arrive at a development that’s good for the neighborhood. The development will be about 40-60 feet from residences and be screened by trees.
“We really want the neighbors to be a part of it and be a part of creating it with us,” Masinter says.
While Open Realty wants to draw high-end dining — they’re the real estate company responsible for brining Gemma to Henderson — they won’t be leasing space in this development to bars.
“Our belief is, we’ve got enough bars on this street,” Masinter says. “We want food and beverage, but for it to be restaurant-focused like Gemma and the Porch and Tei Tei.”
There would be a two-level underground parking garage, and buildings as high as three stories. Plus inviting sidewalks, street lighting and landscaping, as well as a small park with a public garden.
Those public amenities are in line with Open Realty’s overall plan for the avenue.
The real estate company, which also owns 3001 Knox, bought up Andres Property Co.’s entire Henderson portfolio about four years ago, and since then it has acquired several more properties on the avenue. Open Realty has a long-range goal of improving the street, to include continuous sidewalks, landscaping and increased security. To that end, they’re interested in the eventual creation of a Public Improvement District, a temporary property-tax hike that would require approval by petition from a majority of property owners and City Council.
“We love the neighborhood,” Masinter says. “We’re really excited about the potential.”
If the zoning change is approved early next year, construction could begin in the spring.
