Kelmscott Park, Lake Forest Apartments

Focus lead the development and construction efforts on planned community, Kelmscott Park, an elegant assortment of new luxury residences in Lake Forest’s historic downtown. Kelmscott Park is located a short walk from the Metra line and the suburb’s iconic Market Square.

The development’s unique mix of housing options captured growing demand from key demographics like the young professionals seeking proximity to the Metra line and walkable downtowns and existing Lake Forest residents seeking to downsize their living arrangements while maintaining a quality lifestyle.

The Kelmscott Park Apartments introduced the first luxury rental product to the Lake Forest market. With condominium-quality unit finishes and architectural style indistinguishable from the neighboring condominiums, the apartments provide an exclusive outlet for significant pent-up demand, especially in such a convenient downtown location. Residents enjoy a 3,744 SF amenity clubhouse with onsite management and leasing offices, residential lounges and entertainment areas, an exterior patio terrace and an underground garage that connects all three apartment buildings. The building is also pet-friendly .

In 2020, Focus sold the KP Apartments for $480,000 per unit a record-setting sale for Chicagoland.

Control the Risk of Innovation

Focus’ unique collaborative of interconnected disciplines meant that we could meet city regulations, budget constraints, and timelines in a smart and effective way. Lake Forest city regulations require any structure higher than two stories to be non-combustible, a regulation which required Focus to take a unique approach. All foundation walls are precast rather than poured-in-place concrete, an alternate which reduced costs and sped construction. Prefabricated, light-gauge steel framing was built offsite and then installed, another means by which we could reduce costs and speed completion. Together, these approaches freed time and resources for higher-quality design and construction, evident in the brick detailing on the Kelmscott Park Apartments.