The aging Ford City Mall, a former staple of Chicago's retail landscape, is on the brink of a notable transformation. A Chicago-based developer has proposed a $150 million plan to demolish the current structure and replace it with an industrial campus. The idea is to revitalize the outdated shopping center at 7601 S. Cicero Ave, which has struggled with high vacancy rates and outdated infrastructure. The proposal also includes the creation of at least 400 jobs, as revealed by Ald. Derrick Curtis (18th) and detailed in reports by the Chicago Sun-Times and NBC Chicago.
The developer's ambitious project seeks to ultimately construct four buildings designed for warehousing or light manufacturing. The project needs the City Council to formally agree to rezone the roughly 60-acre site from the retail category to an Industrial Planned Development. According to the same report, the mall's current owner, Namdar Realty Group, which specializes in distressed properties, acquired the mall for $16.6 million in 2019. The price Bridge will pay for the site has not been disclosed. Namdar and Bridge Industrial did not respond to requests for comment regarding the deal.
Curtis mentioned that the proposal so far has received a positive response from the local community, who view the current mall as an "eyesore." As per a statement obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times, Curtis explained that Ford City has been "distressed at least the last seven years," highlighting the issues of overgrown grass and the prevalence of 'drifting' takeovers in the mall's parking lots. Meanwhile, the redevelopment is touted to bring a range of improvements to the area, including more efficient stormwater management and the planting of over 750 new trees, in line with the city's sustainability goals.
The application to the Chicago City Council for the rezoning of the property is slated for submission next week. Construction could begin in the fall of 2026, with the warehouse operations targeted to start in 2028. The developer has also promised to align the building design with LEED certification standards. This information comes from a letter from Curtis' office, as reported by NBC Chicago. This aligns with a broader trend of re-envisioning underused sites in the Chicago area for warehouse use, driven by the inexorable push of e-commerce.
Enhanced infrastructure like the planned new construction on 76th Street and additional landscaping also feature in the proposed revamp, demonstrating the developers' intent to not only build warehouses but to thoughtfully integrate the site into the broader ecosystem of the community—an aspect crucial for gaining the support of residents and minimizing potential disruption from increased truck traffic, pollution, and noise. As for retaining historical connections, Curtis has expressed the desire to preserve the Ford City name in some aspect of the development, noting the site's rich history from manufacturing engines during World War II to its stint as a retail hub.
