Henry Patel wants to build a 21-acre residential complex near a hotel in Huntley that he owns.
At a recent village board meeting, Patel proposed a development with 12 low-rise apartments, totalling 308 units, in the area surrounding the Hampton Inn at 13000 Route 47, the Northwest Herald reported.
Patel already owns about 29 acres of land near Route 47 and Powers Road, in the distant northwest suburb about 50 miles from downtown Chicago that has consistently ranked among Illinois’ fastest growing cities, with its estimated population of more than 28,000 last year having beefed up by nearly 16 percent since 2010, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures.
Restaurants and possibly a second hotel are also part of the developer’s potential plan. The complex would feature a blend of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Amenities would include a pool, dog park and walking trails.
“We’re definitely lacking housing,” village trustee JR Westberg told the outlet. “It should be a really good thing for us.”
Huntley official Ronda Goldman, however, was critical of the development, expressing safety concerns over the planned pool and dog park. She also questioned the idea of building another hotel so close to the Hampton.
Patel struggled to complete the Hampton Inn in a timely manner, forcing Huntley officials to grant two extensions. The hotel opened almost a year behind schedule due to supply chain issues and other challenges, Patel said.
The new development is set to be delivered in phases, starting with apartments closer to Powers Road. Construction of the commercial buildings would start when they are 60 percent pre-leased. Eight of the 12 apartment buildings would be two stories tall with 22 apartments each, and four would be three stories tall with 32 units each.
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The recent meeting was merely a “courtesy review” to give Patel feedback. The village has not scheduled a meeting to vote on the proposal, but village President Timothy Hoeft believes the developer is “headed in the right direction.”
Patel hopes to break ground on the project early next year.
— Quinn Donoghue
