McShane Completes Bronzeville Mixed-Use

CHICAGO—Throughout the US, there is tremendous demand for mixed-use developments, and that demand is also seen in neighborhoods outside the top submarkets. McShane Construction Co., for example, just completed the Shops and Lofts at 47, a mixed-use development on a three-acre parcel at 747 E. 47th St. The development provides Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood with new mixed-income living options and retail opportunities. It was done for The Community Builders, Inc. and Mahogany Ventures, a joint venture of the Skilken company and TROY Enterprises.

The five-story, 202,000-square-foot complex includes 55,000-square-feet of retail space on the first floor, and features a new 41,000-square-foot Walmart Neighborhood Market. As reported in GlobeSt.com, the new store is part of Walmart's plan to open 270 to 300 small-format locations in 2014. Walmart opened its first neighborhood market in 1998 and now has about 300 nationally.

The second floor of the Shops and Lofts has parking for 72 vehicles that supports the 72-unit mixed-income residences on floors three through five. McShane also completed 24 additional apartments in four residential buildings next door to the new development.

The 96 rental apartments feature 29 one-, 60 two-, and seven three-bedroom plans. Each home features contemporary appliances, in-unit washers and dryers and modern design elements. The project includes an 85-car parking lot for retail customers and was constructed to meet Chicago Green Homes certification and the parameters of the Chicago Green Roof initiative.

“We are pleased to deliver this class A mixed-use development to our respected clients and to the community residents of Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood,” said Jeffrey A. Raday, president of McShane. “With McShane Construction's extensive experience serving the mixed-income residential and retail markets, we were able to successfully transform an under-performing area of the community into a vibrant housing and retail venue.”

Pappageorge Haymes Partners served as architect for the mixed-use portion of the development while BRR Architecture, Inc. provided the architectural services for the Walmart Neighborhood Market.