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	Urban Appeal Real Estate Mid-America March 2004 If significant new development remains a year or more in the future, that still leaves the question of what form new development will take when it does arrive. On that subject, there's some consensus that a major trend will be an emphasis on providing an "urban feel" in new developments, and not just in the cities. The convenient, pedestrian-friendly environment attracting newcomers to revitalized Midwestern cities will be carried into suburban settings, Danter believes. He forecasts more developments featuring a blend of condominiums and rental housing with immediate proximity to shopping. The residential units may even be intermixed with the commercial spaces. Of course, many of those who choose multifamily dwellings will be heading to actual downtowns, not downtown facsimiles in the suburbs. In virtually every market his company is a part of, opportunities exist for both adaptive reuse and new construction in central cities, Danter reports. But that doesn't mean the same approaches developers use in building suburban communities will work in the heart of cities. "You do not take a suburban mentality downtown and expect to succeed," he says, noting that because many urban multifamily structures are high-rises, developers are hamstrung by the configurations of their sites. Those configurations can, for instance, limit the ability to make a strong statement with a building's entryway. The irony is, an apartment building's lobby is the one area that's most critical to success in many downtown venues. Without a visually appealing entry, the ability to charge rent premiums required to support costly downtown space can be compromised. The simple fact is that downtown renters and condo owners define value differently than their suburban counterparts, Danter says. Parking takes on greater value, security is accorded more importance and the height and direction of views form living room windows can become a primary selling point. Moreover, in urban settings, multifamily buildings are frequently occupied by career minded people, either working for others or starting their own enterprises. For that reason, developers must be mindful of the need for home office amenities and small conference rooms. Also look for more multi-use buildings placing residential, office and retail under the same roof, located on main thoroughfares once shunned by renters and condominium buyers. According to Thomas Roszak, president of Roszak/ADC, an Evanston, IL - based designer, developer and builder of infill condominiums, multi-use buildings are often mandated by zoning requirements in dense urban environments, and work well from the perspective of all the parties involved. "From the standpoint of a condo buyer, a multi-use building represents convenience," he says. "From the retail tenant's viewpoint, there's a captive audience right there in the building and the neighborhood. And from the office tenant's perspective, you have a supply of workers, and an active place to have a business." In addition, mixed-use properties can swiftly enliven the streetscape of once-underpatronized urban areas, Roszak adds. Roszak/ADC 1415 Sherman Avenue Suite 101 Evanston, IL 60201 T  847-425-7555 F  847-425-7540 email inquiries: info@roszakadc.com copyright© 2003 Roszak/ADC. All rights reserved.