Walker & Dunlop Closes $60M in Financing for Chicago-Area Multifamily

Walker & Dunlop has closed nearly $60 million in construction take-out financing for Optima Verdana, a luxury mixed-use community in Wilmette, Illinois.

The Walker & Dunlop Capital Markets Real Estate Finance team, led by Dave Hendrickson, Pat Modig, Jonathan Paine, Mo Beler, Will Crittenberger and Philippe LaPointe, originated the fixed-rate, interest-only financing provided by Freddie Mac on behalf of Optima, Inc. “Optima Verdana addresses a clear need for high-quality multifamily housing in a supply-constrained North Shore submarket,” said Hendrickson.

Completed in 2023, Optima Verdana is a 100-unit, luxury mixed-use community. The ground floor features 5,900 square feet of retail. Located at 1210 Central Ave, Optima Verdana is situated in the heart of downtown Wilmette, one of the most affluent and supply-constrained communities on Chicago’s North Shore. The property is directly across from the Wilmette Metra station and near Lake Michigan, offering access to retail, dining, parks, and convenient connectivity to downtown Chicago and major employment centers.

Join us on Tuesday afternoon, June 2, 2026, at the Connect Midwest Multifamily Trends Conference as JDL Founder, Jim Leitchinger, is honored with the Changing Skyline Award, followed by an exclusive Keynote Interview. This is a rare opportunity to hear firsthand insights from one of the region’s most influential visionaries in multifamily development.

Photo credit: Michael Duerinckx