The North Shore of Chicago is entering a new era of growth.
B3 has emerged as a leader in the region. The firm specializes in transforming long-dormant assets into the most coveted addresses along the shore. Their newest project, The Sydnie + Olivia, is a groundbreaking 30-unit luxury development that is resurrecting a prime corner of Highland Park, IL after fifteen years of vacancy. We spoke with the team at B3 about the vision behind the project, the demand for high-end townhomes and condos, and their commitment to reviving the region.
Diamond in the rough
812 Laurel Avenue in Highland Park sat dormant for close to two decades, a casualty of the 2008 financial crisis.
Where other developers could only see zoning hurdles and ghosts of the Great Recession, Simon Berger and Adam Jidd, partners at B3, saw something promising. B3’s Director of Acquisitions, Ben Davis, reached out to the stalled site’s owner.
“We’re not afraid to call individual owners on any site we feel has potential, no matter the challenges,” said Berger, CEO of B3. “We made a name for ourselves in pursuing dormant, vacant sites that have sat empty for years and have been on municipalities’ watch lists.”
That tenacity is a hallmark of the partnership between Berger and Jidd. Jidd, who transitioned from the high-stakes automotive industry to real estate, notes that their ability to move fast is what separates B3 from traditional developers.
“We knew if we could bring it back to reality, it would be a unique opportunity for the city,” said Jidd, Partner at B3. “It’s a special piece of Highland Park.”
Today, that site is being reborn as The Sydnie + Olivia, a premier residential community featuring 18 luxury townhomes and 12 boutique condominiums.
The vision
Resurrecting a 15-year-old project isn’t as simple as picking up where the previous developer left off.
Since the original plans were drafted, building codes had shifted and zoning rules had evolved. What B3 initially hoped would be a shovel-ready site required a year-long entitlement process and a complete redesign.
“The carrying costs of zoning and entitlement are not for the faint of heart,” Berger said. “You’re creating a project from scratch without knowing for sure if it will be approved. But we have the bandwidth and the team, from civil engineers to architects, to maneuver through nuances that others aren’t prepared for.”
B3’s strategy involved scrapping the outdated plans in favor of a modern architectural vision by Mark Kurensky and Eden Richards from HKM and Randy Heller from Randy Heller Pure and Simple Design. The result will seamlessly blend sophistication and urban walkability, located just steps from downtown shops and the Metra station.
“The Sydnie & Olivia is truly redefining the landscape of Highland Park. What once was a long-vacant piece of land is now blossoming into something extraordinary,” says North Shore broker Sami Worth. “We’ve begun hosting off-market presale appointments, and the response from buyers has been incredible. Their excitement is contagious.”
Modernizing the North Shore
Outside of filling a space in the neighborhood, The Sydnie + Olivia is also closing a gap in the market.
After careful consideration, B3 pivoted to featuring larger townhomes; with residences ranging from 3,000 to 3,400 square feet, these townhomes are a sweet spot for today’s buyers.
“We wanted to give people a larger footprint so it felt like a home,” said Berger. “These townhomes are wider and longer than a traditional footprint. They live like a single-family home, which is an easy transition for young families moving from the city who are used to vertical living.”
The development also caters heavily to the empty nester demographic, with 6 of the 18 units featuring primary suites on the first floor to allow for single-level living.
At a time when new construction is often prohibitively expensive, B3 is positioning The Sydnie + Olivia as a strategic solution for buyers who refuse to compromise on quality. Offering a high-end alternative to the traditional single-family home, the project allows residents to enter the North Shore market at an accessible price point (starting at $1.1 million) without sacrificing bespoke finishes or luxury amenities.
Community-centric development
The Sydnie + Olivia is named after Berger’s children, a personal touch that underscores the company’s fondness for the communities they are helping to reshape.
Beyond its sentimental moniker, it also reflects a long-term investment strategy in a region B3 believes is in its early phases of a major growth cycle. With over $100 million currently invested across residential, commercial and industrial projects in the North Shore, B3 has become a preferred partner for municipalities seeking responsible, high-impact growth.
“We’ve invested close to $70 million across our projects in Highland Park alone,” says Jidd. “The city is discerning and forward-thinking. Our experience with them has been excellent because we share the same goal: creating value for the community.”
By taking on projects that others deem too difficult, like the Hoover Estate in Glencoe or the Hoffman Higgins in Wilmette, B3 is doing more than building homes; they are restoring the tax base and aesthetic integrity of historic neighborhoods that have been burdened by dormant sites.
As construction of The Sydnie + Olivia progresses, with townhomes slated for completion within nine months and condos following shortly after, the site is no longer a reminder of a financial crisis. Instead, it’s a symbol of the North Shore’s future: vibrant, luxurious, and built to endure.
“Every project for B3 is special,” Jidd concludes. “But this one, seeing it finally come to life after 15 years of sitting dark? That’s what we’re here for.”
Learn more about The Sydnie + Olivia here.