A sizable former AT&T campus in suburban Chicago will be redeveloped into mixed-use, despite "sluggish" local leasing activity and the potential closure of Sears' nearby headquarters.
Ryan Ori reports on the planned redevelopment of a former corporate campus, now vacant, several miles from the headquarters of Sears. "If Sears folds, it would lead to mass job losses in the area and would leave the retailer's 2.4 million-square-foot headquarters vacant. Already, Hoffman Estates is in an area of the Chicago suburbs where office leasing is sluggish."
The developers are pressing forward with the project, which they characterize as a "metroburb, a metropolis in suburbia." Ori writes, "[Somerset Development] is betting that it can overcome a location far from downtown Chicago and soft leasing demand by providing a unique setting to work, shop, dine and live."
Plans include a variety of uses. "Somerset wants to convert the vacant buildings into 1.2 million square feet of offices, 60,000 square feet of shops and restaurants, and 80,000 square feet of conference space. The developer also has approval for construction of 379 rental apartments, 171 for-sale townhomes and a hotel on the land."
FULL STORY: Developer says huge Hoffman Estates project moving forward, with or without Sears in town
The Crucial Role of Suburban Voters in the Midterms
Suburban voters were instrumental in preventing a 'red wave' on Election Day and on December 6 in the Georgia U.S. Senate runoff election, enabling the Democrats to win a 51st Senate seat.
Chicago Suburbs Luring Back Major Employers
As more workers move away from the central city due to high costs and remote work opportunities, companies that once relocated downtown are eyeing Chicago’s suburbs once again.
Opinion: Revise Zoning and Tax Codes To Support Adaptive Reuse of NYC Office Space
With office buildings facing an uncertain future in their current form, cities can tweak regulations to encourage innovative new uses.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion
The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.
Since Zion's Shuttles Went Electric “The Smog is Gone”
Visitors to Zion National Park can enjoy the canyon via the nation’s first fully electric park shuttle system.
Trump Distributing DOT Safety Funds at 1/10 Rate of Biden
Funds for Safe Streets and other transportation safety and equity programs are being held up by administrative reviews and conflicts with the Trump administration’s priorities.
German Cities Subsidize Taxis for Women Amid Wave of Violence
Free or low-cost taxi rides can help women navigate cities more safely, but critics say the programs don't address the root causes of violence against women.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie