Sugar Grove LLC, a Crown Community Development (CCD) entity, today celebrated the start of construction for The Grove, a 760-acre master-planned community located at the interchange of Interstate 88 and Route 47 in Sugar Grove, Ill., 45 miles west of Chicago. Plans for The Grove consist of approximately 1,400 new residences, including single-family homes, townhomes, duplexes and multifamily homes. In addition, the project will feature new retail offerings, a town center, business park and more than 200 acres of open space, including community parks and trails.

Construction is currently taking place within Area 1 of The Grove, the community’s first residential neighborhood. Located along Merrill Road, Area 1 will offer a selection of single-family homes on 214 generously sized lots, which are expected to deliver in 2026.

“We are thrilled to break ground on The Grove and begin this exciting new chapter in the Village of Sugar Grove,” said Jennifer Cowan, managing director of Crown Community Development. “This milestone reflects our ongoing commitment to the community and to delivering a vibrant, high-quality development. We remain dedicated to the success of this project and to creating long-term value for all stakeholders.”

Cowan also stated that homebuilder interest in The Grove is strong, and negotiations are underway for the community’s first 214 single-family lots. Buyers will be able to choose between homes on 60- and 70-foot lots with 2- and 3-car garages offered. Crown will announce the builder(s) and start of sales in the coming months.

J & S Construction, founded by Sugar Grove resident Jim Wilhelm, has been awarded the site contract for the project. Based in nearby Oswego, Ill., J & S Construction has partnered with the Village of Sugar Grove on a number of significant construction projects.

In addition to delivering finished lots for future home construction, Sugar Grove LLC will also develop community amenities, such as park improvements and a biking/walking trail through the neighborhood. This trail will connect to the existing Hannaford subdivision on Merrill Road providing access to the Virgil Gilman Trail, enhancing regional connectivity and recreational opportunities.

In addition to residential offerings, The Grove’s thoughtfully planned community also calls for:

• A vibrant Town Center with retail, restaurants, entertainment, and community services anchored by a village green, a publicly accessible recreational space featuring a food truck court and an outdoor stage where the community can host concerts, exercise classes or other events.
• A 3-acre Village Park with open space, a beer garden, space for a farmer’s market and various outdoor recreational amenities, such as pickleball courts, playscapes, a splash pad and a fishing dock.
• Over 200 acres of open space, including parks, trails, and preserved tree groves for recreation and outdoor enjoyment.
• A 323-acre commercial and business park district (Grove Park) accommodating healthcare, business suites, retail, restaurants, distribution and multifamily housing. The entirety of the industrial zone area is already under contract for a data center, positioning The Grove as a key technology and economic hub for the region.
• Planned Development District (PDD) zoning across five distinct areas, allowing for flexibility in land use and community needs as the project evolves.
• Donation of land for a new Village Hall and over five miles of interconnected trails linking to regional trail systems.

Conveniently located at a key connection point – the I-88/Route 47 interchange – The Grove will serve as a catalyst for economic growth in the Village of Sugar Grove and nearby communities. Community benefits of the development include:

• New commercial investment that is expected to create permanent jobs, as well as additional employment opportunities during construction.
• Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District to help fund key infrastructure needed for The Grove. This District makes the development possible. In return, the project will generate significant property tax revenue, especially for local schools. Over the next 23 years, more than $31 million is projected to go to the Kaneland School District, with that number growing to $135 million over 30 years.
• Dark Skies preservation and extensive landscaping to ensure the development’s design harmonizes with its surroundings.

For more information and updates on The Grove, visit www.thegroveillinois.com or follow The Grove on Facebook at TheGroveIllinois.

About Crown Community Development:

For more than 35 years, Crown Community Development has been investing in and developing communities that are models for excellence in land stewardship and neighborhood development. To date, Crown has developed/invested in over 16 residential and commercial communities in markets including Chicago, Tampa, Seattle, Denver, Nashville, Indianapolis, Austin, San Antonio and Gettysburg, Pa. Crown Community Development is part of The Henry Crown and Company, established in 1919 as a family-owned building materials business. Learn more at Crown Community Development.