900 Clark St Proposal Poised to Reshape the Evanston Skyline and Community Fabric

Evanston, long known for its architectural charm and university-town vibrance, may soon welcome its tallest new addition in years. Plans have been unveiled for a 27-story mixed-use development at 900 Clark St, located at the northern end of the Church Street Plaza retail district. This ambitious proposal by Continuum Development and Luxury Living could reshape not only the Evanston skyline—but the very character of downtown living in this North Shore community.

The proposed tower will include 358 rental apartments, 2,900 square feet of ground-floor retail, and a suite of sustainability-forward features. With 72 units designated as affordable housing, the development signals a shift toward a more inclusive urban strategy in Evanston, where demand for housing near transit and amenities continues to rise.

Sitting prominently at the corner of Clark Street and Maple Avenue, this site has long served as an entry point to the Church Street Plaza—a well-trafficked retail corridor just steps from the Davis Street Metra and CTA stations. The introduction of residential density to this commercial zone marks a significant shift in Evanston’s development pattern, favoring vertical growth over sprawl, and potentially injecting hundreds of new residents into the local economy.

The Evanston neighborhood, known for its walkability, independent businesses, and cultural institutions, is well-positioned to absorb this transformation. Residents of 900 Clark St will be a short walk from destinations like the Evanston Public Library, the Century 12 Evanston movie theater, Northwestern University’s southern edge, and an expanding roster of restaurants, cafes, and local shops.

Designed by Antunovich Associates, the tower will feature everything from studios to multi-bedroom penthouses. Residents will use the existing Maple Street city garage for parking, reducing the project’s environmental footprint. The proposed retail component—likely a café or neighborhood-serving business—will help ground the building within the community, providing a social anchor for both residents and passersby.

More than just a collection of rental units, 900 Clark St will be a sustainability-forward development. The project includes a green roof, energy-efficient HVAC systems, LED lighting, low-flow plumbing fixtures, and Energy Star appliances. It is also targeting Green Globes – Three Globes certification, a significant benchmark in environmentally responsible construction.

Yet as with all major developments in Evanston, this project will undergo scrutiny. The developers have submitted an initial zoning analysis and will need full city approval to proceed. Community concerns over height, density, and affordability will likely shape the final form the building takes. That said, this proposal signals a clear vision for Evanston’s future: denser, greener, and more residentially integrated.

For developers, investors, and residents alike, this project may become a case study in how first-ring suburbs can evolve while staying true to their community character. And for those looking to navigate that evolution with insight, the best place to start is with experienced commercial real estate agents in Evanston who understand both the local landscape and the citywide market forces at play.