(WBBM NEWSRADIO) – The owners of Old Orchard Mall on Tuesday announced details on the residential component planned for the outdoor shopping center in Skokie.
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield said the firm Focus will co-develop 400 luxury apartments and amenities on the north side of Old Orchard. Groundbreaking for what’s called a first phase is expected to happen next year, with residences ready for occupancy in early 2027, company representatives said.
Stephen Fluhr, senior vice president of development at Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, said the plan for Old Orchard is part of broader strategy to bring housing and additional uses to existing retail developments.
“We’re going to take what our customers love about the mall today – the natural environment, the walkability – and we’re really going to expand on that concept to make it much more village-like,” Fluhr said on the Noon Business Hour with Rob Hart.
He said the company’s mixed-use strategy actually predates the COVID-19 pandemic, which de-emphasized bricks and mortar stores. Old Orchard’s footprint as an outdoor mall lends itself to redevelopment, Fluhr added.
“We’re already offering, as you pointed out, this great pedestrian, Main Street kind of feel, so adding this experience on to the north end of the mall really is going to be a lot more seamless here,” he said.
Listen to our new podcast Looped In: Chicago
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok