Former church offers housing options – Evanston RoundTable

Editor’s note: The RoundTable’s Two-Minute House Walk column takes readers inside some of Evanston’s most distinctive dwellings. We aim to showcase the history, style, architecture and design of homes throughout the city, from grand lakefront residences to cozy coach houses, modern apartments and everything in between.

Lodge Evanston is open for business – but no longer for church business.

The 30-apartment complex at Church Street and Oak Avenue occupies the renovated former Sojourner Covenant Church as well as a four-story metal-clad addition that extends about 80 feet to the north of the church.

Adaptive reuse of 1911 church

The church, which had been remodeled since it was built in 1911, was sold in 2018 due to declining membership. The joint venture of Campbell Coyle Real Estate, Jodi Development and Ranquist Development bought it and has converted it and its newly constructed neighbor into apartments. Designed by the Philadelphia architectural firm ISA, the unique adaptive reuse project assures that one of Evanston’s older buildings will continue to be out on the street and part of downtown Evanston.

Design

It is immediately clear that the black metal clad addition north of the church is separate from but related to the newly renovated church. The two buildings are tied together visually by a new section of masonry wall in part of the addition, and the black insulated metal windows used in both buildings. New grasses and low bushes on the Oak Avenue parkway also unite them.

The unique pairing of these two structures allows for a clever variety of floor plans. Units vary in size from 545-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bath apartments to 1,534-square-foot three-bedroom, three-bath apartments.

‘Sanctuary’ apartments

In the former church building are eight townhouse-style “sanctuary” units. Some of the one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments are multilevel, and each has a separate entry from street level. One has a rooftop deck at the front of the building with broad views to the south.

The original wood structural members of the old church’s roof have been retained. Along with the exposed brick walls they contribute to the attraction and uniqueness of these units. The fully sprinklered building has some bedrooms without windows but with indirect natural light from adjacent spaces.

Sanctuary model apartment. Credit: Joerg Metzner

Sanctuary model apartment. Credit: Joerg Metzner

Sanctuary model apartment. Credit: Joerg Metzner

Sanctuary model apartment. Credit: Joerg Metzner

Bedroom with skylight in sanctuary apartment. Credit: Joerg Metzner

Structural roof trusses in sanctuary apartment. Credit: Joerg Metzner

Credit: Joerg Metzner

Borrowed light for a bedroom in sanctuary apartment. Credit: Joerg Metzner

Borrowed light for a bedroom in sanctuary apartment. Credit: Joerg Metzner

Bathroom in sanctuary model apartment. Credit: Joerg Metzner

Bedroom in sanctuary model apartment. Credit: Joerg Metzner

Bathroom in sanctuary model apartment Credit: Joerg Metzner

Bathroom in sanctuary model apartment. Credit: Joerg Metzner

Office niche in
sanctuary model apartment. Credit: Joerg Metzner

‘Smart’ and ‘penthouse’ apartments

The addition’s “smart” and “penthouse” units are one- and two-bedroom units, some with private decks and all with access to a common rooftop patio.

Building Features

Each building has a small, attractive lobby area, with space for mail and package delivery, bikes and, in the case of the new building, an elevator.

The well-lit living-dining-kitchen zones of many of the apartments are compact, often with tables, not islands, in kitchen areas. Balcony-style sliding doors contribute light and a sense of openness.

There is no gym, but the project’s proximity to downtown Evanston and Lake Michigan means that opportunities to exercise are just a short walk away.

The building is all electric, with individual heat pumps and Nest thermostats for each apartment. The Nest is a “smart” thermostat, meaning it can be controlled remotely using an internet-connected device. There is no gas service to the building. High-speed internet is included through a modem in each apartment.

Manually operated room-darkening and light-filtering blinds assist with energy efficiency and are provided for most windows.

Parking is available below part of the new building, as well as in nearby city garages.

To comply with the city’s Inclusionary Housing Ordinance, the project includes three affordable units for qualifying renters whose incomes are less than 60% of the area median income.

Market

Lodge Evanston leasing agent Ari Elliott with The Apartment Source said the easy in-easy out aspect of these apartments appeals to many renters. There is no doorman. Renters like the walk-up option and not needing to use an elevator. Elliott said they also respond positively to the adaptive reuse and vertical townhouse-style living the project offers.

People have been moving in since May 1, and about half the units are now rented.

Elliott said these apartments are different from others available on Evanston’s rental market. It is Campbell Coyle Real Estate’s fourth adaptive reuse project. The soon-to-be-available Varsity Theater adaptive reuse project is also their work.