Randhurst Still Growing

Randhurst Still Growing By RICHARD MAYER Assistant Managing Editor Journal & Topics Newspapers |

The main man in charge of redeveloping Randhurst Village in Mt. Prospect is beginning to separate himself from the project to focus on other projects regionally and nationally.

James Conroy, director of development for Casto Lifestyle Properties said since most construction at the new outdoor "lifestyle center" is complete, and the focus is shifting more toward signing leases, he is relocating elsewhere in the country to work on other Casto projects that are in early stages.

"I will stay 25%-30% involved once there are additional tenants," Conroy said.

According to Conroy, overall construction of new stores, buildings and parking areas at Randhurst is 85% complete. He expects remaining portions to wrap up by June.

He said leasing the remaining empty stores will be determined by the overall economy.

"If you look at Main Street from Sports Authority to Old Navy and all the way around to the center's anchor being AMC Theatre, the center is about 85% occupied, if you also consider the Hampton Inn Suites, which is expected to open mid to late March," Conroy said.

According to Conroy, main areas that are still vacant are smaller shops ranging from 2,500 sq. ft. to 5,000 sq. ft. He said there are some smaller and larger spaces that are also vacant, but very few.

Conroy said there have been some parking lot modifications completed and a more that still need plan approval such as traffic flow near Pei Wei Restaurant and Costco.

Permits, Conroy said, are close to being completed to construct a new 7,000 sq. ft. outlot building that will include a Panera restaurant with a drive-through. Panera will occupy approximately 4,000 sq. ft. of the new outlot, located just north of the existing Pei Wei restaurant with a single drive-through lane wrapping along the west side of the building parallel to Elmhurst Road. The remaining vacant space next to Panera will be retail, but is not yet announced.

With this winter so far being unseasonably warm, Conroy said the weather helped when it came to constructing PetSmart and World Market. PetSmart opened a couple weeks ago and World Market is expected to open by the last week of March or first week of April.

"Because of the good weather, we were under roof of those two stores by mid fall," Conroy said.

In recent weeks, delivery trucks clipped one of the canopies at the new Hampton Inn Suites Hotel, which is expected to open by mid March.

Conroy said the canopy is being modified and is in the process of being replaced. He added the installation of hotel furniture is starting this week.

According to Conroy, there is some interest to take over vacant office space on the second floor of Main Street in the heart of Randhurst Village.

The nearby three-floor, 550-space parking deck is being utilized more and more, Conroy said.

"I was there a few weeks ago and the entire first floor and part of the second floor was being used on a Friday night," Conroy said.

BlackFinn American Grille is expected to begin interior build out soon and should open sometime this summer. Other stores expected to open in the coming months are Menchie's Yogurt, Pigtails & Crewcuts Hair Salon for kids, and Phenix Salon Suites.

Conroy said there are four other letters of intent waiting to be finalized. He said all of those consist of retail/apparel stores.

In terms of the former Border's bookstore building at Elmhurst and Rand roads, Conroy said different concepts are being considered including tearing the existing building down and constructing restaurants in its place, or reusing the building for retail.

See the original post here:
Randhurst Still Growing