PEORIA — A long-vacant property near Peoria High School is set for a major transformation, as developers move forward with plans for a high-end apartment complex called Peoria Gateway. The project will rise at the intersection of 85th and Grand avenues on the site of a former Smitty’s grocery store, which has sat unused for years.
The development will feature 336 luxury apartment units and is expected to break ground in mid-2025. According to project planners, Peoria Gateway will offer a mix of modern amenities, landscaped outdoor areas, and convenient access to transportation corridors, aiming to attract both young professionals and families seeking upscale rental options.
City officials say the project comes at a time when housing demand in Peoria continues to grow, fueled in part by new economic activity in the area. Just blocks away, the upcoming Innovation Core—a planned business and technology hub—is expected to bring additional jobs and attract new residents, creating even greater demand for quality housing.
The redevelopment also represents an effort to revitalize a key stretch of Grand Avenue, turning an underused commercial lot into a vibrant residential space. Once completed, Peoria Gateway will join a wave of mixed-use and residential projects reshaping North Peoria, contributing to the city’s broader vision of modern, connected, and livable neighborhoods.
