Bright And Full Of Opportunity: A Chicago Suburb Continues To Flourish With New Development

Arlington Heights, a northwestern suburb of Chicago, is on the rise thanks to its diverse economy, quality of life and growing population. 

The bustling area, known as “The Village of Good Neighbors” or simply “The Village” to locals, ranks as the No. 1 best place to live in Illinois, according to U.S. News and World Report's Best Places to Live in 2025-2026. Mayor Jim Tinaglia, an architect and Arlington Heights resident of more than 50 years, said this is the result of the town's tightknit community and strong foundation, where businesses can grow, families can thrive and visitors feel welcome.

“We’re supporting economic development that brings long-term value by attracting investment, promoting strategic development and maintaining a resilient local economy,” Tinaglia said. “At the same time, we’re committed to preserving the high quality of life that Arlington Heights is known for, through excellent public services, safe neighborhoods and vibrant community spaces.”

Bisnow spoke with Tinaglia and the village’s director of planning and community development, Emily Rodman, to discuss the progress made in the community, particularly the redevelopment of Arlington Gateway and the Hickory-Kensington neighborhood. 

Arlington Gateway Redevelopment

Arlington Gateway, located at the southeast corner of Arlington Heights Road and Algonquin Road, is becoming one of the “most visible and important gateway areas of the community,” particularly for those entering Arlington Heights from I-90, Tinaglia said.

Tinaglia singled out a master-planned community headed by real estate development firm Bradford Allen Development Co. Scheduled for completion in 2026, the community will feature a mixed-use building with 301 luxury rental apartments and 25K SF of ground-floor commercial space intended for restaurants, retail and service-oriented businesses.

Tinaglia said the goal of this project is to create a high-quality development that enhances the village’s local economy and the daily experience of residents and visitors. 

“It's exciting to see a once-struggling area return to life,” he said. “Everyone driving by gets to watch the progress of these new buildings going up in real time and see this new neighborhood develop. The Arlington Gateway will bring new businesses and new neighbors to our town and will be a valuable addition to Arlington Heights.”

One challenge the developers faced was how to expand the community in a way that supports infrastructure and services while still preserving the unique character that makes Arlington Heights such a desirable place, he said. Tinaglia and village staff will take a steady and thoughtful approach to look for opportunities that enhance the community without losing sight of its history, character and identity.

Rodman said that while Bradford Allen hasn't publicly announced tenants for the commercial space, the village is working closely with the company to market the site. This public-private partnership to reinvest more than $130M in the South Arlington Heights Road Corridor has generated renewed interest in development along this key corridor in the village, she said.

Hickory-Kensington Plan

Another key part of the growth of the village is the redevelopment of Hickory-Kensington, located northwest of the intersection of Northwest Highway and Dryden Avenue. This area has seen significant growth since the adoption of the Hickory-Kensington Area Plan in 2013, which has provided a framework for long-term vision and attracting investments for commercial and residential development. However, there still remain opportunities for redevelopment.

One opportunity in the works is a proposal for a multifamily building at 5 N. Douglas Ave. The proposed project is five stories and would offer 64 multifamily units.

Rodman said the vision for this area, as outlined in the plan, is to create “a vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood which complements the downtown area, providing new housing and commercial opportunities in a walkable, pedestrian-friendly environment.”

Rodman said that Tinaglia and village trustees set the vision for the community, while village staff is charged with putting that vision into action. The vision is mapped out in a variety of plans and documents, including the Comprehensive Plan, the Downtown Master Plan, several corridor plans and the village’s Tax Increment Financing and Redevelopment Project Area plans. 

“Our staff actively markets the community to various potential developers and works hand in hand with developers through the entitlement process,” she said. “By working closely with developers from project conception to approval, we help ensure the delivery of high-quality projects that meet the needs of the community.”

Rodman said this requires balancing the community's needs and desires with market forces, something Arlington Heights has “routinely done with tremendous success.”

A Bright Future Ahead

“The village’s future is bright and full of opportunity as it continues to grow in popularity, with a strong economy, exceptional amenities and a high quality of life that reflects the values the community shares,” Tinaglia said.

He said he is proud of the progress it has made and believes it is a critical time to strategically capitalize on this momentum.

“We must be thoughtful about how each project fits into the fabric of our unique community and make sure it reflects the best use of its space while staying true to what makes our village special,” Tinaglia said. “These expectations should apply across the board because every detail plays a part in shaping the future we’re building together.”

This article was produced in collaboration between the village of Arlington Heights and Studio B. Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content.

Studio B is Bisnow’s in-house content and design studio. To learn more about how Studio B can help your team, reach out to studio@bisnow.com.