When Fifth Third Bank announced it was closing 44 Chicagoland branches due to redundancies caused by its acquisition of MB Financial, Taylor Johnson quickly connected RE Journals with client sources for a story on what brokers and developers recommend doing with those vacant locations. In the resulting article, TJ clients Marcus & Millichap and Englewood Construction discussed the challenges of adapting bank branch space to non-bank use, like what to do with multiple drive-through teller lanes (suggestion: build them out to create more leasable space) and bulletproof glass (take it out). Read the story here for more on what makes former bank branches prime candidates for redevelopment as small shopping centers, “medtail” buildings, restaurants and more.

TJ clients Austin Weisenbeck and Sean Sharko of Marcus & Millichap and Chuck Taylor of Englewood Construction shared insights on adapting bank branches for new uses.