Shoppes on Washington

Long-time OKW client Tartan Realty Group asked us to evaluate the possibilities for an obsolete, two-story drive-thru bank and parking lot they owned in Naperville. The facility itself could not be effectively repurposed to make full use of the space, which meant considering several planning options, such as large-scale multifamily and retail uses.

The final plan was a mixed-use development that aligned both in scale and character with the surrounding residential area. Intended for office, retail, and/or restaurant use, it fits into the fabric of the community as an extension of a nearby local shopping center. Like a good neighbor, Tartan engaged with the families that lived close to the development to address their concerns. Thanks to this outreach, and our joint commitment to protect several fully mature trees on the lot, the project won support within the community.

Shoppes on Washington is a bright and inviting cluster of three architecturally connected buildings. Made primarily of white brick and including pitched roofs, they bear a residential character that has been translated to a retail space. Cutouts in the corners of each building have been glazed to provide clear sightlines into and through the space, in some cases creating the illusion of levitation.

Photography and drone shots by Michal Ciurej