Chicago-based Hubbard Street Group and co-developer Centrum Realty and Development today announced the first residents this week started moving into Wicker Park Connection II, a 15-story, 146-unit apartment development in Chicago’s vibrant Wicker Park neighborhood. Luxury Living Chicago Realty is serving as the exclusive marketing and leasing brokerage for the new transit-oriented development at 1640 W. Division St. – the second phase of the Wicker Park Connection project.
Located one block west of the Division Blue Line station, Wicker Park Connection II offers a mix of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units ranging in size from 463 to 1,245 square feet, with rents starting at $1,650. The mixed-use community is adjacent to a smaller 60-unit building, Wicker Park Connection I (formerly Centrum Wicker Park), that was completed in 2016. The two phases feature 13,000 square feet of retail space, including a small-format Target store that’s scheduled to open later this summer.
“At Wicker Park Connection, we’ve built a community that meets the demand for new-construction luxury apartments in one of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods, offering a residential experience with downtown-inspired amenities,” said John McLinden, managing partner at Hubbard Street Group. “Wicker Park Connection is designed as an extension and reflection of the neighborhood, delivering retail to a prominent corner, creating local jobs and literally connecting neighbors with the addition of a public plaza.”
With about one-third of its 2.5 acres reserved as open space, Wicker Park Connection will feature a landscaped walkway between the two apartment buildings, creating a much-needed pedestrian link between Milwaukee Avenue and Division Street. Called The Connection, the first phase of the public plaza is set to open later this month and will feature retail opportunities as well as outdoor seating, public art and water jets. The plaza will be fully completed by a pedestrian pathway to Milwaukee Avenue, which will open upon completion of the neighboring townhome and condominium development.
“The park space on the plaza will become a great gathering spot for Wicker Park. It is truly a unique amenity for any project, let alone one located in the heart of such a great neighborhood,” said Arthur Slaven, managing partner at Centrum Realty & Development.
Shared amenities at Wicker Park Connection II include a rooftop pool deck with sunbeds, pod seating, a fire pit and grilling stations. Indoors, residents have access to a state-of-the-art fitness center, resident’s lounge with co-working stations, party room with chef-grade kitchen, Starbucks coffee nook, yoga and meditation room, and business center with printing station. In addition, the community offers Pressbox dry cleaning, Luxer One package delivery, storage lockers, free Wi-Fi in amenity spaces, complimentary bicycle storage, garage parking and smartphone-controlled building access.
Individual residences feature floor-to-ceiling windows with solar shades; Balterio gray-tone plank flooring; Kohler fixtures; kitchens with Italian soft-close cabinetry, quartz countertops, Porcelanosa tile backsplashes and stainless-steel Whirlpool appliances; and baths with floating vanities and frameless glass shower doors.
“Renters are always telling us they want more luxury options in neighborhoods such as Wicker Park, where they can be near some of Chicago’s most popular shops, restaurants and nightlife,” said Aaron Galvin, founder and CEO of Luxury Living Chicago Realty. “Wicker Park Connection’s exceptional level of finishes and prime location are generating an incredible response from the market, with the building already over 30 percent pre-leased.”
About Hubbard Street Group
Founded in 2016 by real estate veteran John McLinden, Hubbard Street Group (HSG) is a real estate investment and development company that creates modern, lifestyle-oriented residential, retail and office developments, with a focus on urban infill sites. The partners at HSG are industry leaders in neighborhood-level development, capitalizing on hyperlocal market opportunities and working alongside community stakeholders to realize the vision for each project. McLinden is joined at HSG by partners Graham Palmer and Kage Brown. HSG’s portfolio includes properties developed by Chicago-based Centrum Partners, which McLinden co-founded and led as managing partner before forming HSG.
About Centrum Realty & Development
Since Arthur Slaven founded his first development company over 30 years ago, much has changed in the real estate landscape, but not his passion for building smart, ambitious projects through a collaborative, community-oriented process. Joined at Centrum Realty and Development, LLC by partners Larry Powers, Michael Slaven and Peter Slaven, Arthur now leads a dynamic real estate investment company continuing that legacy by creating extraordinary places to live, work and shop. Centrum’s portfolio includes properties developed by Chicago-based Centrum Partners, which Slaven led as managing partner before forming his new company in 2016.
