First it was milk, then root beer. Now just plain water will flow from the taps at a former manufacturing site on Chicago’s Northwest Side.
Borden Dairy Commons, a new 55-unit residential development, is being built on 1.5 acres at the northwest corner of Diversey and Talman Avenues. Previously located on the property was the Borden Dairy, which was in business from the early 1900s until the mid-1940s. The dairy was replaced by a Dad’s Old Fashioned Root Beer facility, and, after 1969, the four brick buildings were used as warehouses.
The former offices of the root beer firm have been demolished to make way for 31 new townhouses. One row of units already has been built and the construction of a second row will begin in March, according to Jack Berger, president of Chicago-based Berger Architects, designer of the project.
First move-ins at the gated community are scheduled for early next year.
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The two- and three-bedroom townhouses range in price from $229,500 to $299,500 and in size from 1,900 to 2,600 square feet. Each has nine-foot ceilings, a balcony off the living room, a penthouse with access to a rooftop deck and a one- or two-car garage.
Three of the original dairy buildings will be converted into 24 loft condominiums, which will range in price from $179,500 to $279,500 and in size from 1,000 to 2,400 square feet.
The two-bedroom lofts feature 17- to 21-foot ceilings with skylights, gas fireplaces and oak floors.
The first loft building is scheduled for completion next February, the second in April and the third in June or July.
Borden Dairy Commons is being marketed by the Lincoln Park office of Koenig & Strey Realtors.