A groundbreaking has been held for a major new mixed-use development at 121 W Michigan Boulevard in Michigan City, Indiana. One of the furthest cities within the greater Chicagoland Metropolitan Area, the 32,000 person city is hoping to revitalize its downtown with its connection to Chicago. Led by YAB Development, who also helped develop Google and McDonald’s in Fulton Market, the project is being designed by Chicago’s Koo Architects.
Site context plan, Amtrak station (teal) – South Shore Line station (orange) via Google Maps
Rising 14-stories tall, the development will sit just north of the city’s central library and replace a vacant lot. With its main draw being its adjacency to the Amtrak station and especially to the upcoming rebuilt South Shore Line (SSL) 11th Street station. It also falls within the new Transit Oriented Development zone designated by Michigan City, as SSL completes its double track project cutting commute times to Chicago by 30-minutes to just over an hour.
Site plan of SoLa Michigan City by Koo Architects
Dubbed SoLa, or South of the Lake, the 628,000 square-feet development will be made up of two-structures with a main L-shaped building having a large cut through at its center. This building will bring 235-hotel rooms split between two-brands, 100 will become suites for a Trademark Collection by Wyndham and the remaining 135 will go to a TRYP by Wyndham property. Guests will have access to outdoor decks, rooftop dining, bars, spa, and more.
Diagram of SoLa Michigan City by Koo Architects
A rear building will contain164-residential units including 17 ground-floor duplexes with direct access. The remaining condos will be made up of one-, two-, and three-bedroom layouts ranging from 770 to 1,650 square-feet in size; select residents will also have access to the hotel’s amenities. Both structures will share a 396-vehicle parking garage as well and a retail base with a potential grocery store being pursued.
Diagram of SoLa Michigan City by Koo Architects
The project isn’t the only proposal in the area with the upcoming double-track project, a second $80 million 12-story development has been pitched on top of the rebuilt SSL 11th Street station. Containing 208-residential units, 10,000 square-feet of retail, and 558-parking spaces, the project would incorporate an existing theater building on the site and connect directly to the train.
Rendering of 11th Street Station Development via Flaherty & Collins
The $280 million SoLa project is now underway and is expected to create 800 temporary construction jobs and 300 permanent jobs, with an anticipated completion date of Spring 2026. Thus Michigan City joins other Chicagoland cities in attracting young residents to their boundaries, with Gary’s Union Station and downtown redevelopment, and Kenosha’s downtown master plan as well.
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These projects could be transformative to Michigan City, but they need to also invest in the public infrastructure as well. For example, the library cuts off the downtown from the lake- you need to walk a block around in either direction.
There is so much potential; I hope careful planning allows the city to take full advantage of these investments.
I agree with Alex’s comment about the library stopping the natural flow to Franklin St from the lake to shops.
It would be awesome if there was a Cooper’s Hawk Restaurant included.
Happy to see reinvestment in this area. Looking forward to extra business, industry and habitation development and what they will bring to the community.
What, exactly was YAB’s involvement with McDonalds or Google in Fulton Market?? I’m in the business, i know a lot of the guys who ran those projects, and I’ve never hear of this outfit or anyone associated with it…
Are we going to experience a housing crisis? Will I be able to buy a house in my home town? Any thoughts?
I think this is a great idea. And it’s about time. Is there any word about what’s going to happen with the old Michigan City prison and what about the abandoned market mall in South Michigan City. I live south of 94 love to have someplace to go shopping and to the theater other than going to Valparaiso. Thank you.
There are 5 development partners on this project, with YAB as lead, that includes Farpoint…the team involved with the west loop Google / McDonald developments! The article also didn’t mention the 2026 decommissioning of the nearby prison which will also yield further massive positive development in Michigan City
I’ll believe it when I see it. Talk is cheap what type of performance bond or assurance does the city and the Redevelopment Commission have? Is this going to be like the old Memorial Hospital site? How about the old train depot? How about the Plaza at 7th and Franklin? Who is going to put up the funding for this level of risk?
Michigan City has spent millions entertaining lots of ideas and courting plenty of big players. The new train station and parking structure is still nothing more than weeds.
Action speaks louder than words..
No action… all words
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