363,520-square-foot development to deliver jobs, innovation centers, green space and renewable energy

CRG, the national real estate development and investment firm, today announced it has started construction on The Cubes at Roosevelt & Kostner, a two-building, 364,102-square-foot industrial campus on a 20.8-acre site at the southwest corner of Roosevelt Road and Kostner Avenue in Chicago’s North Lawndale community. The project, co-developed in a joint venture with Related Midwest and 548 Development, will transform a long-vacant site into modern logistics facilities and community amenities, with the first buildings scheduled for delivery in third-quarter 2026.

The development builds on the city’s broader efforts to revitalize Chicago’s West Side. Initially approved through former Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s INVEST South/West program, the project is now advancing with continued support under Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Build Better Together economic development initiative. City support for the project has included $8 million in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) assistance and the sale of the city-owned land. The long-vacant Roosevelt & Kostner site will be transformed into a vibrant hub of economic activity, generating an estimated 125 construction jobs and 250 permanent positions for North Lawndale residents.

The project first celebrated a ceremonial groundbreaking in early 2023, marking a major step forward and recognizing the vision and groundwork established by Related Midwest and 548 Development. As the scope of the project evolved, CRG joined the venture as the lead development partner, bringing additional capital, resources and industrial expertise to move the complex project forward. This collaboration reflects a strong, shared commitment to delivering long-term value for the community and all stakeholders.

The Cubes at Roosevelt & Kostner will comprise two 182,051-square-foot Class A industrial buildings, each featuring 36-foot clear heights. Together, the facilities will offer 54 dock-high loading doors, four drive-in doors, 323 car parking spaces, and 84 trailer parking stalls to accommodate modern logistics and distribution users. Designed by Lamar Johnson Collaborative and Ware Malcomb, the state-of-the-art precast buildings will feature ESFR sprinkler systems and efficient site circulation, with proximity to Interstate 290 and other major highways. General contractor DSI, in partnership with GMA Construction Group — a MBE construction firm — is leading the project’s construction, exemplifying the team’s commitment to inclusive contracting.

In addition to the industrial facilities, the development will include significant community-focused amenities. CRG, Related Midwest and 548 Development are donating two 5,000-square-foot community spaces, also designed by Lamar Johnson Collaborative and known as “Innovation Centers,” at the south end of the site. One building will be operated by Black Men United, a nonprofit organization that mobilizes Black men to revitalize and empower Black communities. The other will house the New Covenant Community Development Corporation (NCCDC), a North Lawndale-based nonprofit focused on fostering local entrepreneurs and sustainable economic growth in the neighborhood. These centers will provide much-needed venues for community meetings, job training and entrepreneurship programs, creating pathways for workforce development and networking in North Lawndale.

The project also delivers new public green space and sustainability features for the community. A 3-acre public park will adjoin the Innovation Center buildings, offering space for outdoor markets, food trucks, pop-up shops and recreational activities. Designed by minority-owned firm Site Design Group, the landscape will reintroduce native plant species, add more than 300 shade trees and introduce a circuitous fitness path, creating a vibrant gathering place for residents and workers alike.

As part of the development’s sustainable design, rooftop solar panels will be installed on the industrial buildings. The planned 3-megawatt solar array, supported by a West Side job training program, is expected to generate enough clean electricity to provide virtual net metering credits to 500 low-income households on Chicago’s West Side, enabling these families to access clean energy at a 50% discount. This on-site renewable energy generation will help reduce the facilities’ operating costs and environmental footprints while directly benefiting the surrounding community.

“The Cubes at Roosevelt & Kostner will bring much-needed Class A industrial space to one of Chicago’s most supply-constrained infill markets,” said Susan Bergdoll, senior vice president and partner, Midwest Region, at CRG. “Equally important, it exemplifies our commitment to community partnerships. We’re proud to work alongside local leaders to ensure The Cubes at Roosevelt & Kostner delivers economic opportunity and community resources side by side.”

“The Cubes at Roosevelt & Kostner represents a critical investment in North Lawndale that brings not just jobs, but resources and opportunities for our residents,” said 24^th Ward Alderwoman Monique L. Scott. “By pairing industrial development with green space and community-focused amenities, this project reflects the kind of inclusive growth we are working to achieve on Chicago’s West Side.”

“This project shows the power of public-private collaboration in driving inclusive growth,” said Shreya Singh, senior development associate at Related Midwest. “By pairing state-of-the-art industrial facilities with community assets such as the Innovation Centers, green space and on-site renewable energy, we are creating a development that will benefit North Lawndale’s residents and businesses for generations to come. We’re proud to partner with CRG, 548 Development and the city of Chicago to turn a long-vacant site into a source of jobs, investment and neighborhood pride.”

“Through our longstanding relationship with Related Midwest and CRG, we are developing projects that not only deliver modern industrial space but are also intentionally created to support pathways for community impact and workforce development,” said A.J. Patton, founder and CEO of 548 Development. “The Cubes at Roosevelt & Kostner is a model for inclusive growth and a testament to what strong development partnerships can look like in Chicago’s neighborhoods.”

Building on a series of local investments, The Cubes at Roosevelt & Kostner further expands CRG’s industrial footprint in the Chicago region. The firm recently delivered The Cubes at ORD near O’Hare International Airport and broke ground on The Cubes at Cicero in suburban Cicero, just 6 miles from Midway International Airport, underscoring its focus on developing modern Class A industrial assets in high-demand infill markets. Together with the new North Lawndale development, these projects exemplify CRG’s commitment to strategic, community-minded growth that strengthens local economies and neighborhoods.

Colliers has been appointed as exclusive leasing broker for The Cubes at Roosevelt & Kostner, with leasing managed by Matthew Stauber, Thomas Rodeno, Patrick Turner and Caroline Atout. New York Life Investments is also a partner in the financing of the project, further underscoring the strength and breadth of the development team.

CRG’s national The Cubes brand prioritizes sustainable, future-ready design for the next generation of logistics facilities. At Roosevelt & Kostner, that philosophy is realized through energy-efficient building systems, modern truck circulation and on-site renewable energy infrastructure, all aligned with CRG’s mission to pair best-in-class industrial space with meaningful community benefits.

About CRG:
CRG is a privately held real estate development and investment firm with deep expertise in industrial, office, student housing, and data center assets. The firm serves clients and investors from seven regional offices, benefiting from local expertise in Chicago, St. Louis, Seattle, Southern California, Phoenix, Philadelphia and Atlanta. CRG has developed more than 12,500 acres of land and delivered over 220 million square feet of assets exceeding $14 billion in value. For more information, visit CRG’s website at www.realcrg.com.

About The Cubes:
The Cubes is a North American industrial brand owned and developed by CRG. The Cubes represents CRG’s philosophy of developing for the future and anticipating the enhanced needs of tomorrow’s modern industrial users. The Cubes are designed with an emphasis on sustainability and implement state-of-the-art specifications, including maximum clear heights, dock doors and trailer storage, to keep pace with the shift to consumer-centric logistic strategies. The Cubes are located in strategic locations that take into consideration both logistics and labor supply, always with the end user in mind.

About Related Midwest:

Related Midwest, the Chicago office of Related Companies, is the preeminent developer of mixed-use properties, affordable housing communities, and luxury condominium and rental homes across Chicago. The company commands a portfolio of residential, mixed-use and master-planned properties, including pioneering projects like The 78, a transformational 62-acre development in the heart of downtown Chicago envisioned as the city’s next great neighborhood, and Quantum Shore Chicago, a 440-acre innovation campus in the South Chicago neighborhood anchored by the Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park. Related Midwest is also the largest developer of affordable housing in the Midwest, with more than 10,000 units, and has never converted an affordable unit to market-rate.

For more than 30 years, Related Midwest has been an industry leader in community commitment and routinely leads the industry in establishing progressive standards for its business ecosystem. The company is deeply committed to improving neighborhoods, creating sustainable opportunities for small businesses and community residents, and building inspirational places and homes for all. Related Midwest’s business model is built on partnership with community-based firms as well as mentorship of small and emerging businesses as they launch and grow. The firm is a founding partner in HIRE360, a first-of-its-kind organization designed to expand professional development and employment opportunities in the trades.

About 548 Development:
548 Development is a full-service development and construction firm dedicated to uplifting communities through intentional partnerships. For nearly a decade, 548 has championed beautification without gentrification—partnering with minority-owned general contractors and ensuring local residents benefit from neighborhood growth. Current projects include Humboldt Park Passive Living, the largest passive house design building in Chicago, a mixed-use development offering commercial space and mixed-income housing. As the development arm of 548 Enterprise, a mission-driven organization advancing sustainable, energy-efficient, and affordable housing, 548 is building spaces where communities thrive together.

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