London Crossing: Unique Live/Work/Learn Development Adds to a Revitalized Wheeling
Once a stopping point for travelers from Chicago on their way to the Wisconsin Territory, and later made famous for its “Restaurant Row” along Milwaukee Avenue, the Village of Wheeling today is attracting new housing, retail and other businesses that are creating a dynamic environment for the town and its growing population.
One of the newest projects to bring exciting energy to Wheeling is London Crossing, an innovative mixed-use development with live/work/learn components that taps Nicholas’ 40 years of successful K-12 education developments, plus Wingspan Development Group’s expertise in multifamily and mixed-use development.
Located on a formerly vacant lot on Dundee Road between Dunhurst Plaza and London Middle School, this “New Gateway to Wheeling” on the Village’s west side includes:
CCSD 21 Administration Building and Community Space. Wheeling Community Consolidated School District 21’s new administration building offers much-needed office space for the district, allowing it to take a more holistic approach to serving its students and their families while embracing the larger Wheeling community.
Designed by Arcon Associates, this $17 million three-story, 42,558-square-foot Community Service and Administration Center will triple the space of the district’s current 1960s-era facility on Dundee Road. The new building’s ground floor will house CCSD 21 community partners, including OMNI Youth Services, Hands On Suburban Chicago, the Northwest Special Recreation Association, and the YWCA, while also offering space for physical, dental, and mental healthcare for families that may not otherwise be able to access these professionals, enabling the district to “serve the whole child” – readily connect students with whatever services they need to be successful.
Its upper floor will provide professional development and teaming spaces for district staff and teachers, with multiple light-filled classroom modeling opportunities, while the middle floor has new, sizeable district office and meeting spaces, freeing up educational space within the adjacent London School building. Throughout the building will be meeting spaces that members of the community can reserve and use, creating a lively civic center. Parking will accommodate large evening events, while a sidewalk will connect the building to the London School next door.
The CCSD Administration Building broke ground in December 2021.
Residential and Retail. London Crossing also will include 55 row homes in 11 buildings, according to the current plan,to be built by Ryan Homes, as well as 22,000 square feet of retail space. Landscaping and fences will separate the homes and retail, but there will be a gate and sidewalk to allow residents to walk to shops and businesses.