Blue Star offers up two options for Lakeview mixed-use complex

Blue Star Properties unveiled two versions of a mixed-use proposal at the intersection of Ashland and Barry avenues in West Lakeview, offering to build up to 79 apartments on top of at least 5,000 square feet of retail space.

Outlines for both plans were recently posted on Alderman Scott Waguespack’s (32nd) website, according to Curbed.

One version calls for 65 apartments on top of 6,700 square feet of retail space, and the other imagines 79 apartments with 5,500 square feet of retail. Both plans show a mix of one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments measuring between 527 square feet and 995 square feet each.

The building would replace a parking lot, playlot and low-lying retail strip at 3118 North Ashland Avenue, between Burley Elementary School and the busy six-way intersection of Ashland, Belmont and Lincoln avenues.

Blue Star would likely lease a portion of its retail space to Xfinity, which occupies a building next door, according to Curbed.

A staffer for Waguespack said he and community groups are still reviewing the proposal, which would need a zoning change to move forward.

Chicago-based Blue Star lists 10 properties in its portfolio, including five in the West Loop. In July, the company put the 19-story National Building on the market for $200 million.

Two blocks east of Blue Star’s Lakeview site, Newport Realty began building a 24-unit apartment complex last month.

And four blocks to the North, Artis Senior Living is set to open its 136-unit facility at 3535 North Ashland Avenue early next year. [Curbed] — Alex Nitkin