The corner of Sixth and Green streets will have a new look by next summer.
After four years of planning, Bankier Apartments will start construction in June on its tallest apartment building, which is expected to be completed Aug. 15, 2014.
The 14-story building will be constructed on the site that is now occupied by Gameday Spirit, which has been located on the corner since 1998. Along with the Gameday Spirit, the buildings that house Hair Benders, Beri Frozen Yogurt and Roll Model will be demolished.
Miriam Booth, managing broker for Bankier Apartments, said demolition will begin June 1, and the project is expected to take 14 months.
Cory Shumard, store manager at Gameday, said he made arrangements to move the store to a temporary location at 616 E. Green St. He said he is confident the store will have the same corner spot when the redevelopment is over, but arrangements are tentative.
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After construction is completed, Booth said one or more of the businesses on the site now will likely have a spot in the building’s commercial space.
“With the construction of this building, we’re going to be changing the face of Green Street,” Booth said. “With additional new buildings plus our new building, you won’t even be able to recognize Green Street in three to four years.”
The new building will have 40 luxury two-bedroom apartments. Standard rooms will start at $1,700 a month and upper units will go for $1,800.
The first floor of the building will consist of commercial space followed by three or four floors of parking space. Above the parking space will be a resident lounge and eight floors of apartments.
The rooms will include a washer, dryer, Jacuzzi tubs, granite counter tops, hardwood floor and carpeted rooms, Booth said.
According to Bankier’s website, the company currently serves over 1,200 tenants in 29 locations. A majority of the apartments are located within six blocks of the University’s Quad.
Campus spokeswoman Robin Kaler said she sees Green Street only continuing to expand and become more appealing over the years.
“University of Illinois is a vibrant, world class campus,” Kaler said in an email. “As we continue to invest in making sure our facilities serve our students and faculty as well, we are glad to see that investments continue to be made in the campustown community.”
Yele can be reached at [email protected].
