Pritzker antes up for community development
Billionaire Penny Pritzker’s foundation will offer a $10 million grant to the developer of a real estate project that will benefit the community on the city’s South or West sides. “The Chicago Prize” competition from the Pritzker Traubert Foundation — named for the former U.S. Commerce Secretary and husband Bryan Traubert — seeks applications from developers whose projects have the potential to create economic development and benefit their communities. Affordable housing, community centers, mixed-use developments and more will be among the projects considered. [Chicago Tribune]
“SNL”s Sweeney looking to cash out in Wilmette and head to L.A.
“Saturday Night Live” alum Julia Sweeney is selling her 141-year-old house in Wilmette. The 59-year-old is moving back to Los Angeles to work on her career. She and her husband, Michael Blum, listed the six-bedroom home for $1.3 million in February and are now under contract with a buyer. Sweeney and Blum paid $1.1 million for the house in 2008. Baird & Warner’s Kevin Rutherford has the listing. [Chicago Tribune]
Wright home in Elmhurst back on market for another shot at a sale
A suburban home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright during his brief partnership with Webster Tomlinson is back on the market after a year and a half. The 118-year-old F.B. Henderson House in Elmhurst is listed for $1 million. The 5,500-square-foot home at 301 South Kenilworth Avenue has five bedrooms, four bathrooms, 80 leaded art glass windows, and many classic Prairie-style elements. It’s been on and off the market for more than 10 years at various asking prices, including as much as $1.3 million in 2012. [Curbed]
Hooters plans more quick-service locations in Chicago
Hooters is expanding its quick-service “Hoots” concept in the Chicago area. The stores are scheduled to open in August in Logan Square and the South Loop. They feature a pared-down menu and a co-ed staff not clad in revealing uniforms. The parent company of Hooters launched the Hoots concept in 2017 in a 2,700-square-foot space in suburban Cicero to great success. The new stores will be 1,900 and 1,300 square feet, and the chain plans to open a couple more Chicago-area locations by the end of the year. [Crain’s]
Office/restaurant project wins Des Plaines officials’ OK
Des Plaines officials approved a $10 million plan to redevelop an office building along Higgins Road into a business incubator and construct a 6,000-square-foot restaurant nearby. A venture of Mariner American Income Property Trust wants to redevelop the 7-acre site at 1700 West Higgins Road into the mixed-use project. And the developer is working with the village of Rosemont to acquire an adjacent property. [Daily Herald]