One of the biggest changes coming to downtown Wilmette isn't another restaurant or storefront.
It's housing.
Optima Lumina, the new luxury condominium development planned for the corner of Green Bay Road and Washington Avenue, is bringing something Wilmette doesn't have a lot of: brand-new, higher-end, single-level living right in the middle of downtown.
And as someone who lives in Wilmette and spends a lot of time thinking about our housing inventory, I'm especially interested in what happens next.
Because this project may affect more than the condo market.
It could eventually create movement in Wilmette's single-family home market, too.
Where the market stands now: For current Wilmette prices, days on market and inventory, see my Wilmette Housing Market Report, updated every month with the latest MRED data.
What Is Optima Lumina?
Optima Lumina is the new for-sale development planned directly across from the Wilmette Metra station and next to Optima Verdana, Optima's existing rental building.
Current plans call for 133 for-sale residences, approximately 5,900 square feet of ground-floor retail space and a public plaza. Residences range from one-bedroom condos starting around $595,000 to four-bedroom homes beginning around $4.59 million. The project is currently targeting a 2028 opening.
I recently toured the Optima Lumina sales center during a broker event, and what stood out to me was the range.
This isn't simply a building of small condos.
There are substantial residences, including large multi-bedroom units designed for people who want condo living without giving up the space they're accustomed to having in a single-family home.
And because construction has not been completed, buyers may have opportunities to customize finishes and, depending on the circumstances, create larger configurations.
Why That Matters in Wilmette
Here's the interesting part.
Wilmette has plenty of homeowners who love living here but eventually reach a point where maintaining a larger single-family house stops making sense.
Maybe the kids are gone.
Maybe they don't need five bedrooms anymore.
Maybe they're tired of dealing with the yard, snow, exterior maintenance and all the other things that come with owning an older North Shore home.
But they don't necessarily want to leave Wilmette.
That's where the options get surprisingly limited.
There are condos here, of course, but there hasn't historically been an enormous supply of newer luxury residences large enough to make someone coming from a substantial single-family home feel like they're not dramatically downsizing their lifestyle.
Optima Lumina potentially fills some of that gap.
Could Optima Lumina Free Up Single-Family Homes?
This is the question I'm watching most closely.
And to be clear: nobody knows yet.
But it's reasonable to wonder whether some longtime Wilmette homeowners will sell their single-family homes and move into Lumina.
If they do, those houses could become opportunities for the next group of buyers trying to move into - or up within -
Wilmette.
That's particularly interesting in a town where desirable 4- and 5-bedroom homes can feel frustratingly difficult to find.
Real estate inventory doesn't always increase because somebody builds hundreds of new houses.
Sometimes one move creates another.
A longtime homeowner sells a five-bedroom house and moves into a condo.
A family in a smaller Wilmette home buys that house.
Then their starter home hits the market.
That's how a few transactions can create a chain reaction.
Will Optima Lumina create that effect?
It's too early to know. But it's something I'll be watching.
Downtown Wilmette Is Changing
Location is also a huge part of the story.
Optima Lumina will sit across from the Metra station in the heart of downtown Wilmette.
That means residents will be able to walk to restaurants, coffee shops, stores and the train rather than depending on a car for every trip.
The project is also expected to add new retail space, and the existing Starbucks on Green Bay Road has announced plans to move into the development when it opens.
For buyers who want to stay connected to the North Shore but are ready for a more lock-and-leave lifestyle, that's a pretty compelling combination.
What This Means for Wilmette Homeowners
If you've been thinking:
"We love Wilmette, but this house is becoming too much."
you may soon have another option.
And if you're on the opposite side - trying to find a larger single-family home in Wilmette - new condo development may be more relevant to you than it initially appears.
The North Shore housing market is interconnected.
What gets built for one group of homeowners can ultimately create inventory for another.
And with Optima Lumina expected to open in 2028, I'll be watching closely to see whether that starts happening here.
If you're thinking about upsizing, downsizing or simply trying to figure out what your next move in Wilmette looks like, reach out. Sometimes the best place to start isn't with a listing - it's with a plan.
Reach Out!
Thinking about a move within Wilmette or figuring out how new developments like Optima Lumina could affect your options?
I help North Shore homeowners make sense of the moving pieces and build a plan before they make a move.
Reach out and let’s talk through what your next step could look like.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Optima Lumina in Wilmette?
Optima Lumina is a new luxury condominium development planned for downtown Wilmette at Green Bay Road and Washington Avenue, directly across from the Wilmette Metra station. The project is approved for up to 133 for-sale residences, along with retail space and a public plaza.
When will Optima Lumina open?
Optima is currently targeting a 2028 opening. As of late August 2026, construction permits had not yet been issued, although the developer indicated construction could begin in 2026.
How much do condos at Optima Lumina cost?
Current published pricing starts around $595,000 for one-bedroom residences, $895,000 for two bedrooms, $1.99 million for three bedrooms and $4.59 million for four-bedroom residences. Pricing and availability can change as sales progress.
Is Optima Lumina a rental building?
No. Optima Lumina is planned as a for-sale condominium community. It will sit next to Optima Verdana, which is a separate rental development completed in 2023.
Could Optima Lumina affect Wilmette single-family home inventory?
Potentially, although it is too early to know how significant the effect will be. If longtime Wilmette homeowners sell larger single-family homes and move into Lumina, those sales could create additional opportunities for buyers looking to upsize within Wilmette.
