Clout-heavy landlord hit with court order over A/C at senior apartments
Former President Barack Obama’s first boss out of law school was hit with a court order over faulty air-conditioning at a senior housing complex amid Chicago’s current heat wave. Allison S. Davis is a real estate developer and lawyer who owns Auburn Commons, 1626 West 87th Street. After temperatures inside apartments there reached as high as 92 degrees last week, a judge ordered Davis to install window air-conditioners in the building. Davis, who hired Obama out of Harvard Law school at Davis, Miner, Barnhill & Galland, told WBEZ the issue was “addressed.” [WBEZ]
Good times keep rolling for Chicago industrial market
The Chicago-area industrial vacancy rate hit a 19-year low in the second quarter. A new report from Cushman & Wakefield said the vacancy rate dipped to 5 percent last quarter, while new industrial development starts increased substantially over last year. “E-commerce, logistics, food and beverage and other industries continue to drive development, sales and leasing activity,” said David Friedland, Chicago industrial group leader for the brokerage. [Connect Media]
Hanover Park senior living complex to target Indians, South Asians
Cardiologist Anuja Gupta is developing the first retirement community in the Chicago area aimed at South Asian and Indian residents. The principal and managing partner of Aman Living is developing Verandah Senior Living at 900 West Irving Park Road in suburban Hanover Park. It will feature 55 townhomes, 72 condominiums and an 80-bed facility with 68 assisted living units and 12 memory-care studios. The clubhouse at the complex opened last week. [Bisnow]
Berger deals Hawthorn Woods home site to home builder
K. Hovnanian acquired a 20-acre development site in Hawthorn Woods from Berger Asset Management. The prolific Dallas-based home builder plans to build some 70 houses on the property at Old McHenry and Midlothian roads. Chicago-based Berger picked up the land about a decade ago along with another nearly 22-acre parcel across the street. Terms of the deal with K. Hovnanian were not released. [Daily Herald]
Tenants union formed after Albany Park evictions
Residents of two Albany Park apartment buildings formed a tenants union after their landlord decided to end all of their leases. The new Sunnyside Kedzie Tenants Union was formed after landlord George Triff decided he wants to renovate the buildings and doesn’t want to work with current tenants. City rules allow landlords to terminate month-to-month leases with 30 days written notice, and they aren’t required to provide a reason for doing so. [Chicago Tribune]