VERNON HILLS AND AURORA, ILL. — Centennial has unveiled new green space concepts at two malls in Illinois — Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills and Fox Valley Mall in Aurora. Centennial will transform the malls’ center courts into a multi-use environment in efforts to enhance consumer experience. Centennial will invest $12 million in the courtyards, which total 31,115 square feet. The new courtyards will be surrounded by dining and entertainment options. The design team includes architect Stantec and general contractor Graycor Construction Co. A timeline for construction was not released.
Illinois
BENTON, ILL. — Barber Murphy has brokered the sale of a 397,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Benton for an undisclosed price. The property is situated on 39 acres at 451 E. Illinois Ave. Marine Acquisitions Inc. sold the plant to Mincon Rockdrills USA Inc. Barber Murphy represented both parties in the sale.
VERNON HILLS, ILL. — Principle Construction Corp. has completed a 15,091-square-foot tenant improvement for Wonderlic at 544 Lakeview Parkway in Vernon Hills. The company, which produces cognitive ability tests, is moving across the street. The scope of the office project enables Wonderlic to have storage space for its printed materials as well as to properly recycle all used paper. Interform Architecture & Design served as the project architect.
MCHENRY, ILL. — Associated Bank has provided a $5.5 million bridge loan for the acquisition of a 218,000-square-foot industrial facility located at 1301 Ridgeview Drive in McHenry. Built in 1995, the air-conditioned building is located on almost 20 acres. Features include 20 exterior loading docks and parking for 519 cars and 40 trailers. Disk.com, which provides printing, manufacturing and fulfillment solutions, leases approximately 50 percent of the space. Krista Casper of Associated Bank originated the loan on behalf of the borrower, Midwest Industrial Funds.
AURORA, ILL. — Marcus & Millichap has brokered the sale of a 24-unit multifamily property in Aurora for $1.6 million. Located at 1601-1603 Reckinger Road, the property consists of two 12-unit buildings. Randolph Taylor of Marcus & Millichap marketed the property on behalf of the local seller. The undisclosed buyer completed a 1031 tax-deferred exchange.
CHAMPAIGN, ILL. — Berkadia has arranged the sale of the Mattis portfolio, a four-property multifamily portfolio in Champaign, for $9.1 million. The properties are located within a few blocks of each other along Mattis Avenue and total 194 units. Developed in the late 1960s and mid-1970s, the assets offer a variety of floor plans. Properties include Stonleigh Court, Colonial South, Colonial Village and Continental Plaza. Parker Stewart, Ralph DePasquale and Alex Blagojevich of Berkadia marketed the properties on behalf of the seller, Royse & Brinkmeyer. New York-based Everest Equities was the buyer.
WESTMONT, ILL. — JLL has signed a long-term lease to anchor Oakmont Point, a redevelopment project underway by Ryan Cos. in Westmont. The commercial real estate services firm will consolidate its existing operations in Westmont and Lombard to occupy the new 67,000-square-foot office this fall. Oakmont Point is an 18-acre office complex. Upon redevelopment, the property will feature three buildings that can accommodate users from 25,000 to 275,000 square feet. Amenities will include a conference center, Wi-Fi lounge, fitness center, deli and outdoor spaces.
NORMAL, ILL. — Marcus & Millichap has brokered the sale of Lincoln Park Townhomes in Normal for $6.8 million. The 39-unit student housing property is located at 609 S. Fell Ave. near Illinois State University. Each unit features four bedrooms and four bathrooms. Eric Bell and Mitchell Kiven of Marcus & Millichap marketed the property on behalf of the undisclosed seller.
CHICAGO — Merchants Capital has opened a production office located at 131 S. Dearborn St. in Chicago. This is the company’s fourth office nationwide. Lee Oller has been hired as executive vice president to lead the Chicago team. Joining Oller are three senior vice presidents: Susan Schnoll, Alan Cravitz and Brian Black. Merchants Capital is a multifamily, affordable housing and healthcare lender.
CHICAGO — Home Chef has unveiled plans to move its headquarters into the redeveloped Old Post Office in Chicago this year. Home Chef, which merged with The Kroger Co. in 2018, will use the new space to accelerate growth, develop new products and expand its offerings. The company, which produces meal kits, will occupy 74,000 square feet. Home Chef currently has more than 750 employees in the Chicago area at its corporate offices in the Wrigley Building, satellite offices and distribution center in Bedford Park. The renovation of the Old Post Office Building is an $800 million project currently underway by owner 601W Cos. to transform the property into office space. Other tenants who have recently signed leases include Walgreens, Ferrara Candy Co. and AbelsonTaylor.