Focus Development Goes Denser in Vernon Hills Mall Redo

Developers seeking changes to the already-approved second phase Hawthorn Mall redevelopment plans are hoping village leaders will allow them to squeeze in a few more apartments and retail spaces.

Focus Development is seeking approval for those changes to the $252 million project at the mall in Vernon Hills. This phase proposes reconfiguring apartments and retail space, adding retail and increasing residential units from 255 to 290, the Daily Herald reported. The plan also includes a direct connection to the intersection of Route 21 and Townline Road.

The mall’s owner, Dallas-based Centennial Real Estate, has been working on reconfiguring and reconceptualizing the 1970s-era mall and surrounding properties.

Phase one of the project, dubbed The Domaine at Hawthorn Row, was approved in December 2020 and includes 311 apartments across four mixed-use buildings. The old Carson’s building, along with most of the food court area and two-story walkway connecting the two, were demolished rather than repurposed. Work on Phase one began with the demolition of the former Sears anchor store in 2021.

Phase two will include two main buildings joined by a bridge with a retail street similar in configuration to Hawthorn Row with up to 37,300 square feet of retail space. Another major change on tap is to reduce the size of the central plaza plan — originally conceived as a 3-acre outdoor plaza — but add in satellite “activity node” plazas at new retail corners in the south and southeast corner entrances.

Andrew Jennings, community development director for Vernon Hills, told the outlet that the adjustments being proposed will improve connectivity to Townline Road. Three restaurant sites are progressing along Milwaukee Avenue, on the malls east side, including a Yard House that opened in June and a Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille that opened last year. — Eric Weilbacher