$100 Million Transformation Of Old Orchard Mall Heads To Skokie Plan Commission

SKOKIE, IL — The future of Old Orchard Mall will be the central topic at a Skokie Plan Commission meeting Thursday, with commissioners set to consider whether to recommend that trustees grant approval for redevelopment plans for the shopping center.

The two-phase project proposed by mall landlord Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, URW, in partnership with Chicago-based developer Focus calls for the demolition of northwest and northern portions of the mall, which will be replaced with new apartment buildings, and possibly a hotel, atop redesigned retail space.

Stephen Fluhr, senior vice president of development at Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, told Patch that the new development will include designated affordable units, even though it is not subject to Skokie's Inclusionary Housing Ordinance because staff began reviewing it in February and the ordinance did not pass until May.

"We will solidify what that number is by the commission this Thursday, and we are absolutely planning on offering affordable housing as an aspect of this project," Fluhr told Patch. "And that's just us, honestly, wanting to do the right thing by the community."

The first phase of the project includes the construction of up to 425 apartment units and 16,000 square feet of street-level retail in two buildings, one five stories tall and the other seven stories tall, connected by bridges and common areas.

The new development will be anchored by a central park and event space, envisioned as the focal point of the center, where concerts, farmers markets and other events can take place.

For the first phase of the project, all the parking will be in Orange garage at the mall, a portion of which will be fenced off for resident use.

The second phase of the redevelopment will add another seven-story mixed-use building with an additional 250 residential units atop a new parking garage. The plans also call for another eight-story building that could house a 200-room hotel or up to 125 more apartments.

Originally opened in 1956, Old Orchard Mall has for decades been a cornerstone of Skokie's economy.

In 2022, the Skokie Village Board declared it blighted and created a new business district to help URW pay for the costs of its planned $100 million redevelopment of its property, increasing sales tax to 11.25 percent for retail merchants and 13.25 percent for restaurants at the mall.

Plan commissioners Thursday are due to consider whether to recommend approval of the site plan approval as well as a new plat of subdivision to carve up the property to align with the footprint of the planned future buildings.

"This project is proposed to be developed over the next five to ten years as highlighted in a multi-phased development scenario," according to a memo to the commission from village planning staff. "Nuances to the development that have not yet been finalized due to project timing and overall market conditions present when buildings are ready for construction may alter the buildings slightly and may require potential future relief by the Village of Skokie"

Having finished the concept design process, the developers have begun drawing up schematic design plans in order to seek zoning approval.

The project is anticipated to come before the village board by October. If approved, demolition could come as early as September 2025. Phase one construction would then take about two years.

Fluhr, who is also overseeing the development of a larger mixed-use development at Garden State Plaza in Paramus, New Jersey, said URW has received only positive feedback in response to its plans to add residential units to Old Orchard.

"I've been working on the development for the project now for almost seven years," Fluhr said. "So I'm really excited to be able to bring this next generation of transformational retail to life."

Earlier:

• Old Orchard Owner Unveils Redevelopment Plan For Apartments At Mall
• Mall Landlord Upgrades Common Areas As Part Of Old Orchard Redevelopment
• Westfield Old Orchard Ownership Reveals Codeveloper For Plan To Build 400 Luxury Apartments