McGuire Development Company and Blackfish Investments celebrated the start of work at The Rails, a new apartment complex under construction on Main Street near the LaSalle Light Rail Station. The Rails is a transit-oriented, brownfield redevelopment project that combines preservation of two existing buildings with new construction. The project will create 312 apartments in existing and new buildings,1,500 square feet of retail space, and 3,675 square feet of office space.
“We are thrilled to revive this long-under-utilized brownfield property through launching The Rails and providing an attractive, modern apartment community for this important stretch of Main Street,” stated Dave Freeman, Founding Principal at Blackfish Investments.
“The Rails will offer a transit-oriented lifestyle being in proximity to LaSalle Station and along bus routes, as well as a walkable and bikeable address with attractive nearby amenities,” stated David Von Derau, President of McGuire Development Company.
The project represents the transformation of a former industrial site with shuttered buildings and an abandoned rail line. Previous site occupants include the Automatic Transportation Company, a manufacturer of industrial lift trucks, tractors, and locomotives, even a compact electric car, and the McDougall-Butler Company, a paint manufacturer known for their giant revolving paint can advertisement at the site.
Offering a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments, The Rails is targeting graduate students and professionals looking for conveniently located housing with a long list of amenities. The amenity package will provide a two-level fitness center, golf simulator, club room with full kitchen, co-working and collaboration space, music room, dog wash, dog park, and secure bike storage.
Elev8 Architecture designed the project.
