Midwest

Mesabi Metallics to Build $15B Steel Mill in Southeast Iowa, Create 1,750 Jobs

by John Nelson September 29, 2026

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 …

September 29, 2026

Acquisitions Illinois Industrial Midwest

Transwestern Investments Acquires 408,176 SF Industrial Facility in Chicago’s I-88 Corridor

by Kristin Harlow September 28, 2026

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.

September 28, 2026

Development Hospitality Midwest Missouri Retail

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Grayson Capital Announce Construction Team for New Museum, Hotel in Kansas City

by Kristin Harlow September 28, 2026

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.

September 28, 2026

Build-to-Rent Development Midwest Ohio Single-Family Rental

Onyx+East Opens 23-Unit Build-to-Rent Community in Columbus, Ohio

by Kristin Harlow September 28, 2026

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.

September 28, 2026

Development Illinois Midwest Retail

Fortec Converts Former Ambulance Facility into $5M Early Education Center in Metro Chicago

by Kristin Harlow September 28, 2026

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.

September 28, 2026

Acquisitions Illinois Midwest Retail

Brand Street, AEW Buy 410,000 SF Deer Park Town Center in Metro Chicago for $125M

by Kristin Harlow September 25, 2026

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.

September 25, 2026

Acquisitions Midwest Minnesota Office

Tempus Realty Partners Acquires 546,548 SF Office Property in Minnesota for $66M

by Kristin Harlow September 25, 2026

HOPKINS, MINN. — Tempus Realty Partners, an Arkansas-based real estate investment firm, has acquired Excelsior Crossings, a two-building office property totaling 546,548 square feet in Hopkins. The purchase price was $66 million. The campus is 98 percent leased and sits in the I-394 corridor. U.S. Bank fully occupies one building, accounting for 54 percent of the property’s square footage. The second building is home to Element Fleet Management Corp., Digi International Inc., Michael Foods Inc. and Sovos Compliance LLC. The seven-story buildings are LEED Gold certified and sit on more than 20 acres around a central lake with covered parking, heated sidewalks and more than $1.4 million in recent capital upgrades.

September 25, 2026

Illinois Leasing Activity Midwest Office

Oil-Dri Renews Office Lease at Chicago’s Wrigley Building for 20,000 SF

by Kristin Harlow September 25, 2026

CHICAGO — JLL represented Oil-Dri Corp. of America (NYSE: ODC) in a long-term lease renewal at the Wrigley Building, where the company has been headquartered since 1993. Oil-Dri will now relocate within the building to a newly built-out floor totaling 20,000 square feet. Oil-Dri was founded in Chicago in 1941 by Nick Jaffee and has grown from a local startup into a publicly traded consumer products company. Nicole Becker, Sarah Silva and Bess Cooney of JLL represented Oil-Dri in the lease. Erica Marshall and Katie Hull of Stream Realty Partners represented the landlord, Mansueto Properties. Global design firm Perkins&Will also recently renewed its lease at the property for 47,700 square feet through 2038. Holly Duran and Jeff Mulder of Colliers represented Perkins&Will.

September 25, 2026

Acquisitions Indiana Midwest Multifamily

Highgates Sells Multifamily Property in New Albany, Indiana for $9.5M

by Kristin Harlow September 25, 2026

NEW ALBANY, IND. — Highgates has sold High Park Apartments, a 96-unit multifamily community in New Albany near Louisville, for $9.5 million. Highgates acquired the property in July 2019 for $6.7 million utilizing a 10-year, fixed-rate Fredie Mac loan at a rate of 4.4 percent. During the hold period, the firm invested roughly $500,000 in capital improvements, including roofing, HVAC systems and unit interiors.

September 25, 2026

Affordable Housing Development Michigan Midwest Mixed-Use Multifamily

Oxford Cos., Crawford Hoying Receive State Approval for Arbor South Mixed-Use Project in Michigan

by Kristin Harlow September 24, 2026

ANN ARBOR, MICH. — Oxford Cos. and Crawford Hoying have received final state approval from the Michigan Strategic Fund Board for Arbor South, a 20-acre mixed-use development planned for Ann Arbor’s south side. Located at 2845 S. State St. near Eisenhower Parkway, Arbor South will include more than 1,000 apartments and condominiums, including over 200 affordable housing units in partnership with the Ann Arbor Housing Commission. Plans also call for 100,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space, an upscale hotel, parks, green spaces and gathering areas. Arbor South was approved via the largest brownfield tax recapture plan in city and county history, according to a release. It is moving forward under Ann Arbor’s new TC-1 zoning ordinance, designed to increase transit-corridor density outside downtown. The approval follows two years of planning, refinement and coordination with city officials, state leaders and project partners. Detroit-based Sachse Construction is the general contractor. The project team also includes Detroit-based architecture and design firm Lord Aeck Sargent and Ann Arbor-based civil engineering firm Midwestern Consulting. Pre-construction work is expected to begin this winter.

September 24, 2026

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