Habitat & M/I Homes Celebrate Groundbreaking of The Bowery of Highland Park

New North Shore townhome community will bring 227 new homes to the former Solo Cup site in Highland Park, Illinois

A long-vacant site on Chicago's North Shore is taking an important step toward a new chapter. Habitat recently joined our development partner, M/I Homes, along with City of Highland Park officials and community stakeholders, to celebrate the groundbreaking of The Bowery of Highland Park, a new 227-home townhome community planned for the former Solo Cup Company site at 1700 Old Deerfield Road.

The ceremonial groundbreaking marks the start of redevelopment activity on the approximately 28-acre property, which has remained vacant for nearly two decades. When complete, The Bowery of Highland Park will transform the site into a thoughtfully designed residential neighborhood featuring new homes, preserved open space, community amenities and improved connectivity to surrounding neighborhoods.

A Significant Milestone for Highland Park

The groundbreaking follows several important milestones for the project, including approval from the Highland Park City Council in February 2026 and the completion of the land acquisition by Habitat and M/I Homes in May.

For Habitat, the start of construction represents years of planning, collaboration and community engagement coming to life."Reaching this groundbreaking milestone

reinforces Habitat's decision to form a joint venture partnership with a highly experienced homebuilder like M/I Homes," said Matt Fiascone, president of Habitat. "This is an exciting moment for the project, and we look forward to The Bowery of Highland Park delivering much-needed housing opportunities to Chicago's North Shore."

Meeting Demand for New Housing on the North Shore

The Bowery of Highland Park is being designed to address the strong demand for new-construction housing options in one of the region's most sought-after communities.

When complete, the community will feature 48 townhome buildings containing 227 residences. Homebuyers will have a choice of three thoughtfully designed floor plans ranging from approximately 1,747 to 2,086 square feet. The homes will offer open-concept living spaces, flexible first-floor rooms, attached two-car garages and architectural details that complement the character of the surrounding neighborhood.

Importantly, the development will also support Highland Park's housing goals through the inclusion of 34 homes that will be offered to qualifying households in accordance with the city's Inclusionary Housing Plan.

Preserving Open Space and Enhancing Community Amenities

Beyond providing new housing opportunities, The Bowery of Highland Park has been planned with a strong emphasis on creating a walkable and connected neighborhood environment.

More than nine acres of the property will be preserved as open space, complemented by landscaped streetscapes, pedestrian connections and community gathering areas. Residents will have access to a clubhouse with an outdoor pool, a dog park and a neighborhood tot lot, while the broader site design helps integrate the community with surrounding residential areas.

The location also places future residents within minutes of downtown Highland Park, major transportation routes, shopping, dining, recreational amenities and some of the North Shore's most beloved destinations.

Looking Ahead

Construction of the first homes is expected to begin this fall, with initial home deliveries anticipated in spring 2027. Sales activity will commence later this year, providing prospective buyers an opportunity to be among the first to join this new neighborhood.

As one of the few remaining large-scale redevelopment opportunities in Highland Park, The Bowery represents a unique chance to transform a long-underutilized property into a vibrant residential community that will serve residents for generations to come.

At Habitat, we are proud to partner with M/I Homes and the City of Highland Park on a project that not only redevelops a prominent site, but also expands housing opportunities and contributes to the long-term vitality of Chicago's North Shore.