Google to Open First Midwest Store at Brookfield-Owned Mall

Google’s first Midwest retail store is coming to a shopping mall in the Chicago area.

The Silicon Valley tech giant’s 3,500-square-foot retail store is scheduled to open in Brookfield Properties’ Oakbrook Center on Nov. 1, its fifth brick-and-mortar location after opening stores in New York City, Mountain View, California and Boston, Crain’s reported.

In addition to offering customers a chance to browse Google products such as Pixel phones, Nest cameras and Fitbit trackers, it will provide access to artificial intelligence experiences, as well as assistance for troubleshooting and repairs.

Brookfield took control of the mall, at 100 Oakbrook Center, through its 2018 acquisition of General Growth Properties. Since then it has had significant upgrades. The firm, which owns the mall in partnership with the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, has invested $90 million into the property, renovating parking areas, building out a food hall and updating theaters.

Brookfield is also wrapping up a $177 million project that has repurposed former department stores into smaller retail spaces for tenants such as L.L. Bean, Life Time Fitness, RH Gallery, and Sony Wonderverse.

The mall’s performance has steadily improved in recent years, with total sales topping $1 billion last year. Sales had already shown significant gains, rising from $806 million in 2019 to $971 million in 2022, according to a report issued by Fitch Ratings.

A $700 million refinancing deal last year allowed Brookfield to pay off its 2020 mortgage and secure $220 million in equity. Google’s arrival is expected to bolster traffic and further elevate the mall’s profile.

— Andrew Terrell