Chicago & Midwest CRE News In Your Inbox.
Sign up for Connect emails to stay informed with CRE stories that are 150 words or less.
Aon Center’s Outdoor Plaza Undergoes Overhaul
601W Cos. is spending $6.5 million to demolish and redesign the Aon Center’s half-acre plaza in anticipation of greater demand for outdoor space in a post-pandemic downtown, the Chicago Tribune reported.
The overhaul is designed to eliminate the fortress-like edge of the plaza along Randolph Street, just north of Millennium Park, and create more usable space as the city moves toward a large-scale return of workers later this year.
The renovated plaza is expected to open around August, according to the Telos Group, one of the leasing brokers for 601W.
“The current plaza isn’t very welcoming,” said Telos leasing broker Caroline Colnon. “You can’t see the entry from street level. This is a great time to bring the plaza into present times.”
Other property owners that have ground-level outdoor spaces — along with the money to invest during a challenging real estate market — could follow suit, experts told the Tribune.
For comments, questions or concerns, please contact Paul Bubny