Work on downtown Skokie's tallest building is progressing at a rapid pace with a new developer at the helm of the 12-story project under construction at 8000 N. Lincoln Avenue.

Known simply as 8000 North, the upcoming $70 million complex features 153 high-end rental units offered in studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom floorplans. There's also an off-street motorcourt fronting Oakton Street, ground-floor retail space, and a parking garage the development shares with the Village of Skokie.

Murphy Development Group took over the stalled project last year from a joint venture of Greenspire Capital and Hoffman Homes. The prior development team broke ground on 8000 North in the first part of 2018 but encountered a permit-related delay followed by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the site's construction crane coming down.

Jay Koziarz/Urbanize Chicago

While only the foundation and adjacent parking garage were complete when Murphy took control of the project last fall, the Skokie development has advanced considerably since then. When we went by the site this month, the structure had reached its full height and crews were busy installing precast facade panels that had arrived via flatbed truck.

Designed by Chicago architecture firm Lucien Lagrange Studio, 8000 North has a more traditional appearance compared to many recent apartment developments. The beige concrete exterior is meant to look like stone blocks and features teal architecturalal flourishes—similar to Lucien Lagrange's Sixty West Erie tower in River North.

John Murphy, chairman and CEO of Murphy Development Group, told Crain's that he expects work on the upcoming apartment complex at 8000 N. Lincoln Avenue to wrap-up later this year or in early 2022.

Jay Koziarz/Urbanize Chicago