CHICAGO — Darwin Investment Group has received a $130 million refinancing for a 39-building industrial portfolio totaling more than 2 million square feet across the greater Chicago area and Southeast Wisconsin. A dedicated middle market real estate team within Wells Fargo Commercial Banking provided the financing. In conjunction with the refinancing, Darwin Investment Group principals George Cibula and Matthew Lewandowski acquired the 49 percent ownership interest held by their partners, bringing Cibula and Lewandowski’s ownership of the portfolio to 100 percent. The 39 properties are home to more than 225 tenants. Lewandowski, Erin Cibula and Patricia Liston facilitated the refinancing and ownership consolidation on behalf of Darwin. Paul Mokhatas, Anu Agarwal and Paul Crusen led the Wells Fargo team.
LENEXA, KAN. — Midas Hospitality has opened a new dual-branded AC Hotel and Residence Inn by Marriott with 261 rooms at Lenexa City Center. Developed and operated by Midas, the project also includes 11,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space. Copaken Brooks is marketing that space for lease. The AC Hotel features 132 rooms with onsite dining and meeting space. The Residence Inn features 129 apartment-style suites designed for longer stays with fully equipped kitchens and complimentary breakfast. Lenexa City Center is a 200-acre mixed-use district.
PLAINFIELD, ILL. — Entre Commercial Realty has brokered the sale of a 142,370-square-foot industrial facility in Plainfield. Situated on 20 acres, the freestanding property features 19 loading docks, two drive-in doors, approximately 11,000 square feet of office space, heavy power and eight private rail spurs. A local transportation company purchased the building with plans to utilize it as its new corporate headquarters. Mike DeSerto, Cory Kay and Elisabeth Lazzara of Entre represented the buyer, while Colliers represented the undisclosed seller.
CHICAGO — Time Equities Inc. (TEI) has acquired 33 South Wabash Avenue in Chicago for $3.9 million. Located in the heart of South Loop along historic Jeweler’s Row, the property offers 38 feet of frontage on Wabash Avenue at the base of a 360-unit luxury condominium building, which is also home to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Currently fully leased, the 7,400-square-foot, three-unit retail property is home to Goddess & the Baker, Reckless Records and Prasino. Ami Ziff and Jonathan Kim represented TEI on an internal basis. Mitchell Kiven of Marcus & Millichap represented the seller, Newcastle Investors.
LEE COUNTY, IOWA — Mesabi Metallics, a wholly owned subsidiary of India-based conglomerate Essar Group, plans to develop a new $15 billion steel mill in southeast Iowa’s Lee County. Rewant Ruia, chairman of Mesabi Metallics, made the announcement at The White House yesterday along with Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and President Donald Trump. The new plant is expected to create 6,000 temporary construction jobs. Once the facility is operational, which is expected by 2030, the mill will employ an estimated 1,750 full-time team members. Combined with the $3 billion that the company is using to complete its iron ore mine in Nashwauk, Minn., the investment by Mesabi represents the largest single investment made in a steel complex in American history, according to Mesabi. “Mesabi is building a world-class steel supply chain that is 100 percent American,” says Joe Broking, CEO of Mesabi Metallics. “Our investment will create high-paying jobs with competitive benefits in Iowa and Minnesota, generate tens of billions of dollars in U.S. economic activity and strengthen our domestic manufacturing base.” Mesabi will utilize pellets, dubbed Patriot Pellets, procured from iron ore at its Minnesota mine, which is the first new iron ore mine built in the United States …
NORTH AURORA, ILL. — Transwestern Investments has acquired a 408,176-square-foot industrial facility in Chicago’s I-88 Corridor on behalf of a separate account. Built in 2023 and located in North Aurora, the fully leased property features a cross-dock configuration, a clear height of 36 feet, 55 dock doors, four drive-in doors and dedicated car and trailer parking. Located 1.7 miles from I-88, the property provides connectivity to I-355, I-294 and the Chicago O’Hare International Airport. Transwestern Services has been retained to provide property management services.
KANSAS CITY, MO. — The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and Grayson Capital have announced Russell Construction, in partnership with Vazquez Grayson, as the construction team for the new Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and The Pennant Hotel planned for Kansas City’s historic 18th & Vine District. The development involves a new 35,000-square-foot museum and 144-room hotel that will be a Marriott Tribute Portfolio property. Additional information regarding the project and construction schedule will be announced as the development advances. Reggie Jackson, National Baseball Hall of Famer who started his career with the Kansas City Athletics in 1967, is a partner on the project. He is serving as an equity partner and cultural ambassador for The Pennant Hotel. The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is the world’s only museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the history of African American baseball and its impact on the social advancement of America. Grayson Capital is a Kansas City-based real estate investment and development firm focused on hospitality, multifamily, healthcare and mixed-use projects.
COLUMBUS, OHIO — Onyx+East has opened Haven, a 23-unit build-to-rent community in the Upper Arlington area of Columbus. Five homes are available for immediate move-in, with an additional home expected this month. The four-bedroom units offer more than 2,000 square feet of living space. The first four renters are eligible for a “Founders Special,” receiving one month of free rent. Each Haven home features an attached two-car garage, private driveway, fenced backyard, outdoor patio and covered front porch. Professional lawn care and snow removal is included.
VERNON HILLS, ILL. — Fortec has opened The Nest Schools-Vernon Hills. The $5 million project involved the acquisition and redevelopment of a former ambulance warehouse in Vernon Hills, a northern suburb of Chicago. The new early education center will serve up to 209 students and create 35 jobs in the Lake County community. Fortec acquired the property for $1.7 million in September 2025 and invested roughly $3 million in construction, along with $300,000 in closing and due diligence costs. The redevelopment involved a comprehensive interior reconfiguration designed specifically for childcare use. The school features 11 age-grouped classrooms, a new 11,834-square-foot outdoor playground featuring K-Play equipment and dedicated play surfaces for active learning and recreation. The project also included replacement of the building’s core systems, including new high-efficiency HVAC, electrical and irrigation systems, water-efficient plumbing and underground drainage upgrades. Safety enhancements involved a new fire alarm system and sprinkler system as well as upgraded access control security infrastructure. The project represents Fortec’s fourth collaboration with The Nest Schools, an early childhood education provider with more than 50 locations nationwide.
DEER PARK, ILL. — Brand Street Properties and AEW Capital Management have acquired Deer Park Town Center, a 410,000-square-foot, open-air shopping center in Deer Park, about 35 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. Conor Lalor, Kyle Minter and Keely Polczynski of Newmark represented the seller, PGIM, with support from colleagues James Sharpe V and Brian Schneiderman. The sales price was $125 million. Deer Park Town Center is home to more than 60 tenants, including Apple, Crate & Barrel, Williams-Sonoma, Gap, Lululemon, Anthropologie and Sephora. Restaurants include Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano, Sweetgreen, Stoney River, Ancho & Agave and California Pizza Kitchen. Built in 2000, the property is currently 85 percent leased. Brand Street will be responsible for the day-to-day management, operations and leasing of the center, with the intent of growing occupancy. Public gathering spaces will be reimagined to drive traffic and enhance customer experience.