Listening to the Community, Preserving History, Creating Opportunity
Taylor Place Apartments in McHenry, Illinois reflects the power of community engagement and partnership in shaping thoughtful housing development. Located next to the McHenry Metra train station and one of the city’s largest public parks—recently enhanced with a new splash pad—the development was intentionally designed as a transit-oriented community that connects residents to transportation, recreation, and downtown amenities. By placing new housing within walking distance of transit and open space, the project supports both mobility and quality of life for working families in McHenry County.
From the earliest planning stages, listening to the community played a central role in shaping the final design. Local residents and stakeholders made it clear that preserving the historic structures on the site was deeply important to McHenry’s identity. In response, the development team worked to retain and repurpose the historic A.H. Hanly Mill—originally built in the 19th century—and other structures as part of the project. Today, the historic brick mill serves as the community center and leasing office, preserving the character of the site while providing modern amenities for residents.
Transforming the historic structures required careful coordination with preservation authorities and close collaboration with the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). The adaptive reuse process involved overcoming the technical and regulatory challenges that come with historic preservation while ensuring the buildings could meet modern housing and accessibility standards. The result is a development that blends McHenry’s industrial past with a new chapter focused on housing stability and community connection.
A Community Built Through Partnership
Taylor Place Apartments was developed through a partnership between Northpointe Development and the nonprofit Housing Opportunity Development Corporation (HODC).
This collaboration highlights the importance of nonprofit partnerships in delivering impactful housing developments. HODC serves as the long-term property manager, ensuring professional operations and a resident-focused approach as the community grows.
The completed community includes 50 workforce housing units across a three-story apartment building, townhomes, and repurposed historic structures. The apartments provide homes for individuals and families earning between 30% and 80% of the area median income, helping address the growing need for attainable housing in McHenry County.
In addition to housing, the site includes resident amenities such as a community center, fitness space, outdoor gathering areas, a playground, and gardens—creating opportunities for connection and shared community life.
Recognized for Community Impact
The significance of Taylor Place Apartments has been recognized well beyond the local level. During Community Development Week, Congressman Bill Foster formally recognized the project in the Congressional Record, highlighting it as an example of how collaborative housing initiatives can strengthen communities and expand opportunity for working families.
Taylor Place Apartments demonstrates what can happen when developers, nonprofit partners, and local communities work together—listening carefully, honoring historic places, and creating housing that connects people to transportation, parks, and the broader community around them.
