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Investment Highlights

  • Prime Corridor Location: Highly visible ~4,200 SF infill site situated on North Evanston's premier Central Street commercial strip.
  • Flexible Development Capacity: 2.0 base Floor Area Ratio (FAR) allowing up to ~8,400 GSF across 3 stories (40-ft max height limit).
  • Holding Income Potential: Includes an existing 495 SF brick storefront for short-term rental income while finalizing architecture and permitting.
  • Favorable Zoning & Overlay: Zoned B1a Business District under the Central Street Subarea 5 Overlay, clear path for ground-up mixed-use development
  • Maximum Lot Yield: Permissible 0-foot side yard setbacks allow for a full 30-foot wide street-wall profile to maximize usable square footage.
  • Clean & Fully Serviced Site: Confirmed free of asbestos; site has direct access to municipal water, sewer, electric, and gas utilities.

Executive Summary

INVESTMENT & DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY
Rare ~4,200 SF (30' × 140') infill development site in North Evanston’s highly desirable Central Street commercial district. Zoned B1a with Subarea 5 Overlay, permitting up to a 3-story / 40-foot height limit and a 2.0 base FAR (~8,400 max buildable GSF). Permissible 0-foot side yard setbacks allow full-width street frontage, ideal for ground-floor retail and upper-story multi-family/luxury residential units.
PROPERTY HIGHLIGHTS & TERMs:
Existing Structure: Includes an existing 495 SF standalone brick storefront generating potential holding/interim income during entitlement and permitting. Confirmed free of asbestos.
Access & Parking: Features 35 linear feet of frontage on Central Street with direct rear alley access, providing off-street parking layout or service access. Eligible for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) parking requirement reductions.
Location: High-foot-traffic corridor within walking distance to Central Street Metra Station, Endeavor Health Evanston Hospital, and Northwestern University athletic facilities.
Sale Condition: Sold AS-IS. All utilities (gas, electric, municipal water/sewer) are connected to the site.
Here is the breakdown of allowable, special permission, and prohibited business uses for a property zoned B1a with the oCSC Subarea 5 Overlay:
Permitted Uses (Allowed By-Right):
These uses are automatically permitted up to 20,000 sq. ft. in size:
Retail & Goods: Retail Goods Establishments, Retail Service Establishments, Specialty Food Stores, Food Store Establishments (hours between 6:00 a.m. and midnight).
Food & Beverage: Restaurants (Type 1), Brew Pubs, Caterers.
Residential / Mixed-Use: Upper-Story Dwellings (above ground floor), Live-Work Units, Artist Studios & Accessory Dwelling Units (dwelling must not front the street), Category I Residential Care Homes (located on ground floor).
Institutional & Civic: Cultural Facilities, Government Institutions, Private/Public Educational Institutions, Religious Institutions, Neighborhood Gardens.
Commercial & Financial: Financial Institutions (ground level), Upper-Story Offices (above ground floor).
2. Administrative Review Uses (Allowed via Staff Approval)
These uses require an administrative review/streamlined permit process rather than a full public hearing process:
Ground-Floor Office Space, Type 2 Restaurants, Commercial Indoor Recreation, Mixed-Use Market (\le7,500 sq. ft.)
3. Special Uses (Allowed Only With Special Permission)
These uses require a Special Use Permit approved by the Land Use Commission and City Council:
Entertainment & Culture: Performance Entertainment Venues, Micro-Distilleries, Craft Alcohol Production Facilities, Banquet Halls.
Cannabis Businesses: Cannabis Dispensaries, Craft Growers, Infusers, Transporters.
Care & Services: Daycare Centers (Adult, Child, or Domestic Animal), Animal Hospitals, Kennels, Tattoo and Body Art Establishments, Resale Establishments.
Residential & Lodging: Multiple-Family Dwellings (ground-floor residential), Independent Living Facilities, Boarding Houses, Category II Residential Care Homes.
Other Commercial: Mixed-Use Markets (+7,500 sq. ft.), Convenience Stores, Trade Contractors (no outside storage), Vocational Training Facilities, Planned Developments, Rooftop Urban Farms, Aquaponics, Public Utilities, Membership Organizations.
4. Prohibited Uses
These uses are strictly not permitted and not eligible for Special Use or Administrative Review approval in Subarea 5:
Drive-Through Facilities (Explicitly prohibited in Subarea 5 under the oCSC overlay, overriding base B1a rules).
Auto-Oriented & Heavy Uses: Automobile Service Stations, Auto Body Repair, Auto/RV Sales or Rental, Commercial Parking Lots, Open Sales Lots.
Institutional & Residential Care: Assisted Living Facilities, Long-Term Care Facilities, Sheltered Care Homes, Retirement Homes / Hotels, Category I Residential Care Homes on upper floors.
Other Excluded Uses: Bed & Breakfasts, Single-Family Detached Homes, Recording Studios, Transitional Shelters, Category III Transitional Treatment Facilities, Business or Vocational Schools, Dormitories.

Data Room Click Here to Access

Property Facts

Price $450,000
Sale Type Investment or Owner User
Sale Condition Redevelopment Project
No. Lots 1
Property Type Land
Property Subtype Commercial
Proposed Use
Commercial
  • Retail
  • Office
  • Multifamily
  • Convenience Store
Total Lot Size 0.10 AC
Zoning B1a - B1a Business District with Subarea 5 (Mixed-Use B) Central Street Overlay

1 Lot Available

Lot

Price $450,000
Price Per AC $4,667,129.92
Lot Size 0.10 AC

~4200 SF, rectangular lot with 30 linear feet of street frontage, this property has direct access to a rear public alley, ideal for off-street parking or service loading. It’s fully serviced with municipal utilities. B1a with Subarea 5 overlay.

Description

PREMIER INFILL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY ON CENTRAL STREET Exceptional commercial land parcel located on North Evanston’s highly desirable Central Street commercial corridor. Measuring approximately 30' × 140' (~4,200 SF), this rectangular infill site offers a streamlined path for a ground-up mixed-use boutique development. ZONING & DEVELOPMENT HIGHLIGHTS: Zoning: B1a Business District with Central Street Subarea 5 (Mixed-Use B) Overlay Guidelines. Density & Capacity: Base 2.0 Floor Area Ratio (FAR) allowing up to ~8,400 buildable GSF. Height & Setbacks: 3-story / 40-foot max height envelope with 0-foot side yard setback potential to maximize street frontage. Feasibility Concept: Ideal configuration for ~2,600 SF of ground-floor retail/commercial space paired with upper-story luxury residential apartments. Access & Parking: Serviced by direct rear public alley access providing off-street parking layout options with potential Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) parking reductions. EXISTING IMPROVEMENTS & SITE CONDITIONS: Includes an existing 495 SF standalone storefront structure offering immediate functional use or holding income during entitlement/permitting. Site is fully serviced with municipal utilities and confirmed free of asbestos. Sold AS-IS. THE NORTHWEST EVANSTON LOCATION PROFILE 1. High-Net-Worth Trade Area & Built-In Rent Roll Support Exceptional Disposable Income: The surrounding North Evanston trade area boasts a median household income exceeding $160,000 and single-family home values averaging between $750,000 and $1M. High Quality-of-Life Community: Supported by top-rated public schools (Willard Elementary, Haven Middle, Evanston Twp High School) and immediate proximity to local parks and golf courses, ensuring consistent demand for luxury residential rentals and premium local retail. 2. Major Institutional Foot-Traffic Drivers & Business Ecosystem Key Institutional Anchors Endeavor Health Evanston Hospital: 0.7–0.8 miles east at Central St. & Ridge Ave. (~15-minute walk / 2-minute drive) Employs thousands of healthcare professionals, specialists, and support staff, generating a daily, round-the-clock customer base for fast-casual dining, coffee, boutique services, and nearby housing. Ryan Field / Northwestern University Athletic Corridor: 1.3 miles east (~22-minute walk / 4-minute drive) Home to Welsh-Ryan Arena and the state-of-the-art new Ryan Field stadium project. The athletic campus drives multi-season regional traffic from collegiate football, basketball, concerts, and university events. Vibrant "Village Main Street" & Active Business Support Boutique Ecosystem: Central Street is defined by an eclectic mix of independent shops, artisan bakeries, and upscale dining options. SSA Protection: Managed under local Special Service Area (SSA) frameworks that fund continuous streetscape improvements, seasonal decorations, marketing, and community events to sustain high commercial property values. Active Business District: The Central Street Business Association actively promotes the corridor through neighborhood events (Sidewalk Sales, Holiday Strolls, Takeout Picnics), keeping customer footfall consistent year-round. Multi-Modal Transit Hub Central Street Metra UP-N Station: 1.2 miles east at 1601 Central St. (~20-minute walk / 4-minute drive) Ridership: Average weekday ridership of ~500 to 700 boardings/alightings per day. Commuter Profile: One of the highest-performing suburban stations along the UP-North Line, driven heavily by commuters working in downtown Chicago (~25-minute train ride) and hospital professionals traveling into Evanston. CTA & Micro-Mobility: Steps from local CTA bus lines, Purple Line connections, and bike-share hubs, offering true transit-oriented connectivity. Local Schools & Family Anchors Willard Elementary & Neighborhood Schools: Located within walking distance (Willard Elementary is ~0.2 miles away), creating consistent morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up foot traffic from neighborhood families and educators. Haven Middle School & Evanston Township High School (ETHS): Nearby secondary schools feed regular student, teacher, and parent traffic through the North Evanston corridor. Community & Recreational Destinations Canal Shores Golf Course & Park System: Runs along the North Shore Channel nearby, attracting golfers, runners, dog walkers, and outdoor enthusiasts year-round. Ladd Arboretum & Canal Trails: Popular greenway destinations nearby that draw local residents for weekend and evening recreation. 3. Quantified Corridor Exposure & Traffic Metrics Positioning a brand or residential development on Central Street guarantees immediate, continuous visual exposure: Traffic & Metric Category Volume / Statistic Baseline Daily Vehicular Traffic (ADT) 10,500 – 15,100+ Vehicles per Day Commuter Peak Hours Flow 12% ADT (Morning & Evening Rush Traffic) Big Ten Stadium Game Day Influx 35,000+ Fans & Commuters along Central St. Corridor Welsh-Ryan Arena Event Capacity ~7,000 Attendees per Basketball / Volleyball Event Daily Medical Facility Footprint ~3,000+ Employees & Visitors at Evanston Hospital Metra Commuter Rail Proximity 0.3 Miles (5-minute walk to Central St. Station) Vehicular Exposure: Over 10,000 to 15,000 vehicles pass the site daily. Foot Traffic Spikes: Major game days and arena events channel 35,000+ visitors down Central Street from Metra and transit lines, delivering high foot-traffic exposure for ground-floor commercial tenants. 4. Strategic Value Creation Pathways Path A: For the Boutique Developer Concept: Construct a 3-story mixed-use building consisting of ~2,600 SF ground-floor commercial space and four high-end 2BD/2BA apartments. Value Drivers: Capitalize on North Evanston's tight rental inventory and strong demand from medical professionals, university faculty, and transit commuters. Path B: For the Commercial Buy-and-Hold Investor Concept: Collect interim holding rent on the existing 495 SF brick storefront while securing site approvals, architectural plans, and commercial pre-leases. Value Drivers: Low pre-construction carrying costs with long-term land appreciation along a high-demand North Shore main street. Path C: For the Owner-User / Flagship Operator Concept: Construct a customized flagship retail, restaurant, medical, or professional office suite on the ground floor while producing passive rental income from the upper-story residential units. Value Drivers: Establish a permanent presence on an active streetscape with built-in customer traffic, while residential cash flows offset property debt.

Very walkable
80/100
Very drivable
80/100
Some public transit
50/100
Moderately bikeable
70/100

Property Taxes

Property Taxes

Parcel Number
10-11-200-004-0000
Land Assessment
$42,000
Improvements Assessment
$3,250
Total Assessment
$45,250
  • Listing ID: 41435053

  • Date on Market: 7/25/2026

  • Last Updated:

  • Address: 2958 Central St, Evanston, IL 60201

Contact the Sale Advisor

2958 Central St - 2958 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201

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