Downtown Skokie could look majorly different if a plan to build a luxury apartment and mixed-use development goes through, according to a report from the Chicago Tribune. Taking over the previous home of the Desiree restaurant purchased by the village in 2013, the planned project could embrace the changing needs of residents of the northern Chicago suburb and bring new life to a dull, vacant corner.

Located just about one-half mile west of the Oakton-Skokie Yellow Line stop on the CTA, the development called “8000 North” would include many of the commonly desired amenities of city buildings, such as a green roof, recreational facilities, outdoor spaces, cafe, and ground floor retail and dining. Developers Greenspire Capital, Pontarelli & Company, and Hoffman Homes unveiled the plan for the 12-story mixed-use building at the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Oakton Street and submitted preliminary plans Sept. 1.

Announced by the Village of Skokie, 8000 North follows suit with the city leaders’ promise to develop the downtown area. Skokie’s 2020 Plan for Downtown Development includes a major expansion of Oakton Community College, new parks and playgrounds, an expansion of the CTA Oakton stop, and continued residential and mixed-use development.

Norm Hassinger, a real estate consultant and owner of Hoffman Homes Inc., told the Chicago Tribune that the building is “probably the most significant, important development we’ve had because we see Skokie as being at the right place at the right time.” He mentioned speaking to community members who are ready to move out of homeownership but still want to live in Skokie. The development could offer these individuals an ideal lifestyle in their community.

Developers behind the project hope to forge ahead to the Village Plan Commission in October and the Village Board for final approval in November and December. If plans go through as planned, occupancy could take place in late 2019.