Gillespie Group begins work on mixed-use Midtown development on Michigan Ave.

After all of the conversations going on about the redevelopment of the Michigan Ave. corridor, action is officially underway. As one Wolf Development student-focused housing development has been completed and another is under construction, just down the road, the Gillespie Group's Midtown building has broken ground. 

 

"Every project that goes up adds more people, and more pedestrian traffic. When people drive down Michigan Ave., they're starting to see more creative housing options," says Pat Gillespie, CEO of the Gillespie Group. "I think there is a good long-term value in building up the Michigan Ave. corridor."

 

The $6.8 million mixed-use development will include 66 "high-end urban flats" and a 1,800 square foot PNC Bank. Work on the building got underway last week and is expected to be complete in Aug. 2014. Gillespie expects the Midtown development to employ a staff of two to three. 

 

"These are urban flats," Gillespie says. "They're not going to be the traditional college-type apartments."

 

In addition to Midtown, Gillespie Group has purchased the neighboring commercial building that is currently the home of Altu's Ethiopian Cuisine. The firm plans to renovate the exterior of the 5,000 square foot building and continue its current commercial use. 

 

Gillespie says he is excited to be a part of the continued development on Michigan Ave. He's looking forward to seeing movement on the Red Cedar golf course property in the future.