Developers embark on second phase of Aurora mall overhaul

One of several Chicago-area malls that’s under redevelopment is nearing the startline for the project’s second phase.

A venture of Centennial, Focus and Atlantic Residential are gearing up to build 323 luxury apartments and a 212-unit senior housing at the Fox Valley Mall in the western suburb of Aurora, CoStar reported.

The developers began the overhaul with 304 luxury apartments, and now more residences will replace vacant department stores, following a trend in Chicagoland as mall owners look for ways to revamp their holdings amid a constantly evolving landscape for retail owners.

“Fox Valley, like numerous shopping centers across the nation, is undergoing a significant transformation that will enable it to adapt to today’s evolving retail landscape,” Atlantic Residential CEO Richard Aaronson told the outlet.

The next phase of the Fox Valley redevelopment will replace a former Carson’s store. Along with residences, the project is slated for green space, a dog park and outdoor coworking space with wireless internet connectivity.

Centennial, Focus and Atlantic are also working to overhaul the Hawthorn mall in Vernon Hills, roughly 45 miles north of Chicago. The developers recently launched the second phase, with plans similar to the Fox Valley project.

They’re among the handful of Chicago-area malls are getting a makeover due to a drastic shift in the retail market. Plenty of shopping centers were already struggling prior to the pandemic, but the public health crisis further ignited the popularity of online shopping, forcing many retailers to shutter doors or drastically downsize operations.

French developer URW is performing a $100 million renovation of the Westfield Old Orchard shopping mall in Skokie, with plans to add around 350 apartments, restaurants, wellness centers and commercial space.

Brookfield Properties is also pursuing an ambitious redevelopment of the 105-acre Northbrook Court mall, north of Chicago. Brookfield wants to build 2,000 residences, comprising apartments, townhomes and condos, along with 255,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space.

Other shopping centers poised for a transformation include the Yorktown Center in Lombard and the Spring Hill Mall in West Dundee.

— Quinn Donoghue

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