Apartments, Townhomes Coming to Chicago Suburb Fox Lake

A northwest Chicago suburb is set to launch two major housing developments after years of minimal growth.

The projects — a townhome development and a market-rate apartment complex — are designed to meet the growing housing demand in Fox Lake, which has long struggled to attract new developments, the Chicago Tribune reported.

The townhome project, originally conceived in 2007, was stalled after the housing market crash and saw only one building completed. Revived in December 2023, the development will feature 18 units across three buildings; six units will be waterfront.

Construction is anticipated to begin as soon as weather conditions allow, said Jodi Luka, Fox Lake’s community and economic development director.

Gary Wool of Wool Finance Partners and Kevin Micheli of Charles Hall Construction are leading Fox Lake’s second residential project, a 154-unit apartment complex located on about 9.5 acres at Route 134 and Route 12.

The apartments will comprise 154 units spread across 11 buildings with one- and two-bedroom floorplans.

The site, a former quarry, is zoned for commercial use and is under consideration for rezoning to accommodate the residential project.

Concerns about traffic, school impacts, environmental factors and water management were raised during a Planning & Zoning Commission meeting in October. However, the developers assured that detailed studies would address those issues during the Planned Unit Development process. They also confirmed that the complex will connect to the village’s water system, which has the capacity to support the project.

Both projects represent a significant shift for Fox Lake, which has not experienced substantial development in recent years. The village, built primarily during the Prohibition era, has a large inventory of older homes that no longer meet the needs of young professionals or downsizing residents.

Luka anticipates that the new housing stock will attract young professionals and provide options for existing residents looking to downsize.

— Andrew Terrell