Elgin Artspace Lofts, located 40 miles northwest of Chicago's Central Business District at 51 South Spring Street, Elgin, IL 60120, is a project that combines the rehabilitation of an existing structure with a new building. The two buildings will be connected with a newly constructed link, and separated with a landscaped courtyard. The rehabilitated building is being converted from a Community Col
lege building into 21 live/work units, with the new building holding 34 live/work units. The project will improve the existing building formerly used for the Shaw Department Store, and demolish a 1960's era Sears automotive shop. Some of the improvements to the site include new retail space in both the existing and new buildings, opening the original skylight built into the original Shaw's Department Store, a landscaped courtyard for use by the public during art shows, open interior gallery space, a rooftop deck, and a tot lot for building residents. The building will also be certified by Enterprise Green Communities. There will be 5,874 square feet of retail space along Spring Street for arts-friendly businesses. The transit friendly site is located near several parks, trails, restaurants, libraries, and other services, as well as the Metra and bus line. Residential units will vary in size and affordability and are housed in both buildings. The unit mix will consist of a variety of dwelling types and range in size from 730 square feet to 1,500 square feet. Nine foot and 10-foot ceilings, oversized windows, in-unit washers/dryers, ample closet/storage space, and vast living/working space are provided in all units. The project will also meet the accessibility guidelines and be marketed to persons with mobility and visual impairments. The City of Elgin and the arts community are the driving force behind the project. There is a clear desire on the City's part to grow the arts community by providing permanently affordable space for artists, and to add to an emerging arts and culture cluster in the Elgin area. It is the belief of the City and Elgin that creating space for a community of artists will be a catalyst for continued downtown development and will increase the number of people living and working downtown. This project will benefit the community by providing affordable housing and retail, downtown revitalization and economic development, and long-term stability, affordability, and sustainability.
