$90M In Upgrades Approved For Algonquin Commons

ALGONQUIN, IL — Plans are moving forward for a massive redevelopment project at the Algonquin Commons.

Last month, the Algonquin Village Board approved a final planned development, which will allow Red Mountain Retail Group to proceed with its proposal for $90 million in upgrades at the fledgling shopping center at 1900 South Randall Road.

Red Mountain bought The Commons in 2021 and has been fine-tuning plans to draw more tenants and turn The Commons into a destination for dining and entertainment in the region ever since.

The final planned development approved by the village board in May includes the following updates:

• Outside dining areas will now be surrounded by an enclosure that is constructed with decorative masonry pilasters, pressure-treated wood, and/or wrought iron fencing.
• The vote clarifies specifics regarding signage and how many tenants can be listed on monument signs throughout the Commons. The shopping center will continue to be the known as the "Algonquin Commons," and that name will appear on signs at the updated Commons.
• A special event permit must be obtained for events occurring at The Commons and must be approved by Algonquin's village manager.

More On Upgrades

The addition of a 45,000-square-foot indoor cafe and entertainment area, which under the proposal would be referred to as "The Link," would be constructed in the parking area between the two out-lot strip centers on the southern half of the Algonquin Commons, which currently houses tenants such as Bonefish Grill, Claire’s and uBreakiFix.

The 45,000 square-foot roofed enclosure would contain two floors of dining and entertainment options and amenities, including a lounge space, table gaming area, creative office space, spaces to host corporate events and private parties, a stage, an exhibition kitchen area, and more than 10,000-square-feet in new leasable commercial space, according to village documents.

"The Playground," which is part of the planned upgrades, would include an almost half-acre outdoor entertainment area.

The Playground is proposed as a 0.4-acre area between the Link and the strip center immediately to the west —where Maurice's is located — and would include climbing structures for children, a koi pond, adult swing sets and shaded areas.

Under the proposal, the addition of “The Field” would bring .6 acres of green space to an area between The Link and Randall Road. This area would serve as an outdoor entertainment venue and have its own 4,500 square-foot café available for lease, according to village documents.

Live concerts, outdoor movies and sporting scrimmages could utilize the area during the summer and "a winter wonderland" would be planned for the winter months, according to the proposal.