Henderson Avenue Mixed-Use

GFF was hired by Open Realty Advisors, Acadia Realty Trust and Rebees to help master plan and design significant improvements to the portfolio of their properties on Henderson Avenue. The first and most significant of the planned projects is a mixed-use development on Henderson between Glencoe and McMillan on an over 1,000’ long, 3.55 acre primarily vacant tract of property.  As a catalyst project for the corridor, special emphasis has been placed on streetscape design, quality of public space making and walkability, with the goal of adding value to the overall portfolio.

This vision for Henderson Avenue required changing the existing zoning that encouraged nodes of bar and restaurants separated by low-rise multifamily uses to a more cohesive plan that will allow up to two levels of creative office above ground level retail and will create an uninterrupted pedestrian-friendly streetscape along the entire length of the site.  At either end of the site the scale steps down to small one-story boutique retail buildings that respect the transition to the adjacent residential neighborhoods.  The planned project includes a two-level below grade garage with 525 spaces, +/- 70,000 SF of ground level retail and restaurant uses, and +/- 68,000 SF of second and third level office uses.

The design of each building is intentionally different than the next. Rather than creating a unified architectural aesthetic throughout the development, the client requested varied architectural character between buildings allowing for unique discovered moments along the street. While each building is uniquely designed, they could all be described as forward thinking, creating a design centric node along Henderson Ave, not only in architectural character, but also for retailers.