Jacobs Companies Gets Subdivision Approval in Chicago Suburb

The sounds of construction could soon replace the silence of vacancy as the Jacobs Companies embarks on the redevelopment of Glenview’s Scott Foresman campus.

Plans to transform the 19.4-acre site at 1900 East Lake Avenue into a 60-home high-end subdivision were unanimously approved by the Glenview New Development Commission, moving the proposal closer to becoming reality, Crain’s reported.

Highland Park-based custom home builder Jacobs plans to demolish the 256,000-square-foot midcentury office building that has sat unused since 2020, when its most recent tenant, Savvas Learning, moved out.

The site, previously owned by Chicago-based R2 Companies and Wheaton-based T2 Capital Management, has a storied history as the former home of Scott Foresman, publisher of the “Dick and Jane” children’s books.

While its architectural significance earned it a spot on Landmarks Illinois’ Most Endangered Buildings list in 2021, the campus’ outdated layout and prolonged vacancy made its redevelopment inevitable.

Jacobs envisions a community of single-family homes designed for empty nesters, offering modern amenities and first-floor primary bedrooms. The homes, ranging from 2,100 to 2,800 square feet, are expected to sell for $800,000 to $1.3 million, appealing to local residents seeking to downsize while staying in the area.

The proposed density of 3.1 homes per acre is lower than the previously rejected plan for 140 rental homes, which commissioners and residents deemed too dense. The scaled-down approach has been well-received, with community concerns about overcrowding and school impacts addressed by targeting a demographic without school-aged children.

Glenview’s residential market is seeing upward price pressure due to the limited inventory. This is similar to other North Shore towns like Wilmette, which has led some buyers to consider alternatives like Morton Grove.

— Andrew Terrell