The 80-unit Bellwood Senior Apartments is the latest community by Chicago-based Evergreen Real Estate Group.
The 80-unit Bellwood Senior Apartments is the latest community by Chicago-based Evergreen Real Estate Group.

A new development is bringing affordable housing options to low-income seniors in Bellwood, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.

Developed by Evergreen Real Estate Group, the Bellwood Senior Apartments features 76 one- and four two-bedroom apartments for residents 62 and older earning no more than 60% of the area median income. The building is expected to be 40% leased in December and reach full occupancy in the next few months.

“The robust interest we have already seen demonstrates the need for affordable senior housing in Chicago’s western suburbs,” said David Block, director of development for Evergreen Real Estate Group, which is also managing the property. “I’d like to thank mayor [André F.] Harvey and the many village officials and project partners who were instrumental in bringing this project to life. Not only is Bellwood Senior Apartments providing quality housing for the growing senior population in this area, but it also is a vibrant and dynamic addition to the 25th Avenue corridor, helping to catalyze future investment.”

The $31.5 million project replaces a Walgreens store that had been vacant for nearly five years.

“Bellwood Senior Apartments shows what is possible when an underutilized, vacant site is transformed into an asset that improves the quality of life for everyone in the community,” said Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) executive director Kristin Faust. “Mayor Harvey and the Village Board have been champions in bringing housing and economic growth to Bellwood, and we look forward to continuing this work together to ensure affordable housing is a priority for the community’s future.”

Homes at Bellwood Senior Apartments include full kitchens, accessible bathrooms, plank flooring, window treatments, and intercom entry systems. Residents will share access to amenities, including a fitness center; laundry rooms on each level; community rooms on several floors; and storage rooms with individual lockers for each unit. The development also includes outdoor seating areas and surface parking for residents.

Designed by Weese Langley Weese Architects, the contemporary building features gray and black brick masonry accented with large offset vertical panels, dramatic roof overhangs, and bright perforated metal panel screens.

Financial partners for Bellwood Senior Apartments include IHDA as the tax credit issuer of both federal and state housing tax credits and the subordinate funds provider; the village of Bellwood, which provided a tax increment financing loan; Bank of America, the investor and construction lender; Hudson Housing Capital, the tax credit syndicator; Cook County, which provided HOME funds; and the ComEd Energy Efficiency Program.

F.H. Paschen served as general contractor on the development.