construction articles

Retail developers are betting big on Aurora, Illinois — the state's second-largest city — in 2026, driven by major projects like the APEX District (a planned 50-acre entertainment district near Chicago Premium Outlets and the incoming Hollywood Casino), the redevelopment of a former Sam's Club into the expanded Pacifica Square Asian-inspired shopping center, and

Schaumburg, Illinois is in the middle of a major retail and restaurant construction boom in 2026, led by The District at Veridian — a $185 million, 30-acre mixed-use redevelopment of the former Motorola campus featuring more than 270,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, with first retail openings slated for fall 2026. Alongside

Oak Brook, Illinois is undergoing a major retail reinvention in 2026, driven by several key developments: a proposed large-format Amazon grocery store of roughly 225,000 square feet moving through village zoning, the Oak Brook Commons mixed-use project on the former McDonald's world headquarters site (which includes five retail and restaurant pads), the $44 million

Thinking about building a shopping plaza, strip mall, or retail space in Naperville? Here's the short answer up front: Retail construction in Naperville typically runs $300 to $400 per square foot for a ground-up strip mall or shopping plaza, and $60 to $200 per square foot for a tenant build-out inside an existing space.

What Investors Look for Before Building a Shopping Plaza Quick Answer Successful shopping plazas are rarely built based on land availability alone. Before investing millions of dollars into a retail development, investors carefully evaluate population growth, household income, traffic patterns, tenant demand, infrastructure availability, construction costs, competition, and long-term market trends. The most profitable

Retail Build-Out vs Ground-Up Construction: Which Makes More Financial Sense? Quick Answer For most small to mid-sized retail businesses, a retail build-out is usually the more affordable option because the building structure, utilities, parking, and site infrastructure already exist. However, ground-up construction often provides greater long-term flexibility, stronger brand positioning, and more control over

The Hidden Costs of Retail Construction Nobody Talks About Quick Answer Most retail construction projects exceed their original budgets because of expenses that are often overlooked during the planning stage. While developers typically focus on land acquisition, building construction, and interior finishes, unexpected costs such as utility upgrades, permit revisions, stormwater requirements, traffic studies,

Why Retail Developers Are Betting Big on Chicago Suburbs in 2026 Quick Answer Retail construction is expanding across Chicago suburbs because population growth, changing consumer habits, rising demand for convenience, and increased investment in mixed-use developments are creating strong opportunities for commercial real estate. As more people choose to live, work, and spend

Retail construction in Chicago typically takes 8 to 18 months from initial planning to opening day. Smaller retail build-outs may be completed within 4 to 8 months, while ground-up retail developments, shopping centers, and multi-tenant retail plazas often require 12 to 18 months or longer. How Long Does Retail Construction Take in Chicago? The

Summer is coming, and we're excited for so much that is going on! Take Chicago’s Fulton Market District for example, it has become the epicenter of new retail and restaurant construction. What was once an industrial corridor is now one of the fastest-growing commercial zones in the country, packed with new cafés, restaurants, retail stores,