Five new homes have been built on a long-vacant lot on the north end of Elmwood Park, filling a spot on Diversey Avenue that’s been vacant for years.
The three-story, $1.5 million townhome development sits on the north side of the 7500 block of Diversey. The boxy, rectangular exterior of the development stands out from the rest of the village’s homes, eschewing wide lawns for streetside walkups and large floorplans.
The townhomes don’t look big on the outside, but inside, they measure 3,000 square feet. Each has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half bathrooms, a balcony, and a two-car garage. Large kitchen appliances are included.
Ron Ohr and Ray Casali, co-owners of AvenueOne, a real estate company based in Forest Park, are working to sell the homes. Both grew up in Elmwood Park and still live here.
They’ve long had their eye on the empty lot that used to be on the site.
“Our office used to be next door,” Casali said.
He said once the land was purchased, it took about a year to put the development deal together. Construction started in June and should be completed in November, he said.
One of the homes is totally completed and has been used to show off to potential buyers.
The homes are being marketed for $349,000 each; three are already under contract, Casali said.
Ohr said they believed there would be a demand for housing like this. The homes bring a bit of the new-construction style from the city to the suburbs, he said.
“We felt that it would work and the demand would be there,” he said.
He said the biggest issue would be the community. Because they live in Elmwood Park, the pressure was on them to make sure they brought something nice to the village.
“I wanted this project here, because I wanted to better the Elmwood Park community,” Casali said.
Ohr said some residents don’t like this kind of change, but believes the development will benefit the village in the end.
“This means more tax bills on the rolls,” he said. “We’re starting a trend here and I think it will definitely take off.”
Across the street, Jeff Hermann, owner of Lo-Lo’s, a pizza, pasta and sub restaurant, welcomes the new development.
“It looks a lot better than what was there before,” he said. “I hope it will bring more business to this strip. Every little bit helps.”
Genevieve Lavere, owner of Hair Care, a beauty shop across the street from the development, said she’s been inside the finished home and likes it.
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“I think it looks nice,” she said. “It makes the whole block look better. I think it’s a positive change for the neighborhood.”
Twitter: @DavidDPollard