As more and more people discover the gem that is Northwest Indiana, housing becomes a top priority for would-be Region residents. The City of Whiting understands this, and, in an effort to expand its community and welcome those looking for a home with open arms, it has begun work on a new condominium/mixed-use space near the end of 119th Street in the Stadium District.
“We still have to dot some i’s and cross some t's on the agreement, but that should happen shortly and we will move forward from there,” said Mayor of Whiting Steve Spebar. “I'd say, in the next couple of weeks, we’ll have the agreement in place.”
The city is partnering with Hutton & Hutton Architects & Engineers (HHAE) and Proxima Management Group to develop the 120,000-square-foot space into a condo and retail area that utilizes its downtown location and connection to Lake Michigan to create an attractive destination for tourists and home for new residents.
“We're planning right now for 77 units as we speak,” said Spebar. “There'll be a variety of units. There'll be some one-bedroom units, but the majority of the units will be two-bedroom. There'll also be exclusive three-bedroom units on the top floor.”
The condominium is set to be six stories tall. With its nearness to Lake Michigan, one can imagine the beautiful view the upper-storied condos will have. The city took this into account as well and created a way that all residents can have a space to enjoy a luxurious sunrise on the lake.
“There'll be a common area on the roof where everyone can view Lake Michigan, so if you have a unit on the lower floor, you can go up to the area on the roof and enjoy the view,” said Spebar.
The goal behind the condominium’s construction is two-fold. Firstly, the city is hoping to attract new residents to reap the benefits of Whiting’s location near both Lake Michigan and Chicago. Secondly, Spebar is hoping that new residents will take an active role in the Whiting community.
“We want to bring people in, and we want people to become involved in their community,” said Spebar. “Obviously, the big amenity for the development is that you're only a block away from Lake Michigan, but we have a vibrant downtown with many different types of restaurants and unique shops. It's very walkable, and I think the new residents in the condos will enjoy the downtown immensely.”
As the condos prepare to begin construction, Spebar highlighted other areas of Whiting that will be receiving updates or upgrades as part of the city’s commitment to current residents.
“We will be working with Sand and Shores Development to build single-family homes on Center Street adjacent to our railroad tracks,” said Spebar. “We will develop residentially and also commercially along the boulevard, but the residential development will be owner-occupied.”
As the City of Whiting reinvests in its community, its future continues to look brighter and brighter. To stay updated on everything happening in the City of Whiting, visit whitingindiana.com.
