Elmhurst Apartment Project Faces Challenge

ELMHURST, IL – A developer said Monday he would like to offer three-bedroom apartments in a proposed five-story building in downtown Elmhurst.

But his company faces a problem – parking.

At a city meeting, Chuck Westphal and others presented the plan for a 40-unit building at 117 W. Virginia St., next to Gibbons Family Funeral Home.

Elmhurst Alderman Guido Nardini asks a question to those proposing a five-story downtown apartment building during a meeting at City Hall. (David Giuliani/Patch)

Westphal said three-bedroom units are in demand, but that would require more parking in the building.

"We're trying to figure out how to meet our requirements," he said. "There's a lot of money we're putting into the project."

However, he said one way to solve the parking issue is by installing car lifts, which allow a tenant to elevate a car above another, thereby saving space.

"We're doing a project in Wrigleyville (in Chicago) where there are lifts for every space. There is more receptivity to the concept there," Westphal said. "In Elmhurst, there will be some receptivity."

He also said the city has an "enormous" parking garage on Adelaide Street behind the proposed apartments, where guests could park.

The garage, he said, has "quite low" occupancy, typically at 40 percent.

One of the few members in the audience shook her head, and Alderman Guido Nardini said, "I think it's occupied more than 40 percent."

Alderwoman Jennifer Veremis agreed with Nardini.

"I would say so, too, but we don't have the data on that," she said.

At the meeting, the developer, Chicago-based Five Thirty One Partners LLC, presented its concept to the City Council's zoning committee. It has already held a public meeting with residents.

Such steps are required before the developer submits an application. The firm is seeking zoning exceptions for building height and setbacks.

"We're putting all the investment in the units," said Viktor Jakovljevic, who is also associated with the project. "That's why we decided to have a gym, a dog run, a beautiful hallway and lobby. It's a boutique building."

After the presentation, Alderman Chris Jensen called it a "pretty solid project."