Cedarhurst Senior Living is moving ahead with plans for a $38 million assisted living and memory care community in Vernon Hills, laying out an 89-unit, 77,000-square-foot complex at 55 S. Milwaukee Avenue. The proposed two-story building would split 63 assisted living units from a 26-unit memory care wing around a large interior courtyard. Dover Development brought the concept to village trustees this month as Cedarhurst seeks annexation and rezoning for parcels across from the former American Hotel Register site.
As reported by The Real Deal, Dover has three parcels under contract totaling about 6.5 acres and is asking the village to annex the southern pieces to clear the way for the project. The filing is an early step in the approvals process and was put in front of trustees mainly for initial reaction before a formal public hearing.
Project Design, Units and Services
According to Daily Herald coverage, the 77,000-square-foot structure would feature a brick and stone exterior along with restaurant-style dining, wellness programming, housekeeping and shuttle services. Developers say the community is expected to support about 50 permanent jobs and more than 200 temporary construction positions during the build. The current timeline calls for a groundbreaking in fall 2026 and an opening in the summer of 2028, assuming the village signs off.
Who Cedarhurst Is and Why It Picked Vernon Hills
As noted by The Real Deal, the Vernon Hills community would become Cedarhurst’s tenth Illinois location. The St. Louis based operator manages more than 4,200 units across 55 communities in the Midwest and Southeast. Dover development manager Patrick Anthon told local reporters the company zeroed in on Vernon Hills because of what it views as an unmet need for assisted living and memory care capacity in the area, arguing that the project would help close that gap.
Chicago's Hot Senior Housing Market
Senior housing has become a favorite target for investors around Chicagoland this year, with newer, well-located communities commanding hefty price tags. Traded reported that StepStone Group paid roughly $144 million for North Shore Place in Northbrook in January, and a roughly $151 million purchase of Belmont Village's Lincoln Park community in April, deals that highlight just how strong demand is for premium senior properties.
Next Steps and Local Stakes
Per Daily Herald reporting, the developer’s application now heads to village staff for a detailed review, followed by a public hearing with the planning and zoning commission and, ultimately, a final vote from the village board. If approvals come through, Dover aims to start construction in fall 2026 and Cedarhurst plans to welcome residents by summer 2028.
Whether trustees and nearby residents will embrace the annexation and rezoning requests is not settled yet. Developers contend the community would add jobs, boost the local tax base and deliver higher quality memory care options to the northwest suburbs. The upcoming public hearing will be the first big opportunity for Vernon Hills neighbors to weigh in on whether this senior living complex belongs on Milwaukee Avenue.
