Skender Breaks Ground On Native American-Focused Housing Project: The Chicago Deal Sheet
Skender Construction broke ground on a 62K SF mixed-use project centered on serving Native American communities.
The development, known as Jigzibik, will provide Native-inclusive affordable housing, dedicated nonprofit office space and a rooftop community gathering area at 2907 W. Irving Park Road in Irving Park. The seven-story mixed-use building will offer 45 residential units, including 10 studio, 15 one-bedroom, 10 two-bedroom and 10 three-bedroom apartments.
The development was conceived by Visionary Ventures, a Native-led nonprofit organization, and co-led by Full Circle Communities. Canopy Architecture + Design is the architect, and Skender is overseeing construction.
Jigzibik is a Potawatomi word meaning “at the river’s edge.” The building was named by the project’s Native American Advisory Council and pays homage to the Great Lakes Indigenous Nations.
The project is expected to be completed in the second half of 2026.
PEOPLE
Alliance Industrial Co. hired Cory Welper as managing director of its Midwest Division. Formerly of Bridge Industrial, Welper will oversee all industrial development, investment and construction for the Midwest region. Welper will initially focus on development opportunities within the greater Chicago area, with plans to expand to other Midwest markets.
LEASES
ComPsych Corp. relocated its global corporate headquarters to One Prudential Plaza at 130 E. Randolph St. The company signed a 50K SF lease, and its space includes a media production studio, conference rooms and collaboration areas.
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Turf opened a 20K SF experience center at Merchandise Mart. The company signed a 10-year lease at The Mart, scaling up from a 4,000 SF space it leased in 2022.
SALES
Venture One purchased a 145K SF industrial manufacturing facility at 11264 S. Corliss Ave. for an undisclosed amount. The property is fully occupied by Polyair, which recently signed a new 10-year lease. Avison Young's Erik Foster, Mike Wilson, Brian Colson, Brian Pomorski and Jack Reardon represented the seller, a private partnership.
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SwissQprint America acquired a 3-acre parcel within the Canterfield Corporate Campus in West Dundee. The company plans to use the land to house its new 30K SF North American headquarters, which will include modern office space, a high-tech showroom and a parts warehouse. NAI Hiffman is marketing the campus.
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Silver Property Group acquired a 263-unit multifamily portfolio in East Rogers Park for $45M. The portfolio was previously owned by Tawani Property Management.
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A private buyer purchased The Oaks of Oak Brook, a 67K SF shopping center featuring a mix of medical, entertainment, services, soft goods and restaurant-focused retailers in the Chicago suburb. Mid-America Real Estate Corp.'s Joe Girardi and Emily Gadomski were the exclusive brokers in the transaction on behalf of the seller, Newport Capital Partners.
FINANCING
JLL Capital Markets arranged joint venture equity and secured construction financing to develop The Faywell, a 334-unit luxury multifamily development in Wheaton. JLL worked on behalf of Banner Real Estate Group to identify its institutional joint venture partner and also represented the partnership in the arrangement of an $84M construction financing agreement with PNC Bank.
CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT
Trammell Crow Co. and Beacon Capital Partners delivered Hyde Park Labs at 5207 S. Harper Ave. The 13-story, 300K SF building features nine full floors of lab and office space as well as ground-level retail. The University of Chicago has preleased about 55K SF at the building.
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Keeley Construction broke ground on a 132K SF expansion of Helukabel USA’s facility at 1201 Weseman Drive in West Dundee. Upon completion, the facility will span over 200K SF. The expansion will introduce new warehouse and office space plus climate-controlled electrical systems development and testing spaces.
