Is The ‘Metroburb’ A Solution To Suburban Office Vacancy?

By Stephanie Kim
Is The ‘Metroburb’ A Solution To Suburban Office Vacancy?
A rendering of Bell Works Chicagoland, the second "metroburb" New Jersey-based Somerset Development will be developing at the former AT&T headquarters in Hoffman Esates. Somerset Development
Is The ‘Metroburb’ A Solution To Suburban Office Vacancy?
A rendering of Bell Works Chicagoland, the second "metroburb" New Jersey-based Somerset Development will be developing at the former AT&T headquarters in Hoffman Esates. Somerset Development

Is The ‘Metroburb’ A Solution To Suburban Office Vacancy?

By Stephanie Kim
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AT&T in Hoffman Estates. McDonald’s in Oak Brook. Mondelez International in Deerfield.

These are just a few of the suburban corporations that have relocated to Chicago since the 2007 recession — leaving a number of suburbs with the challenge of repurposing empty headquarters.

As companies continue to seek out young talent in the city, a New Jersey-based development company plans to redevelop the former AT&T headquarters in Hoffman Estates into what it calls a “metroburb”: a mixed-use development with office, residential and retail space.

Morning Shift talks to Somerset Development about its plans in Hoffman Estates and checks in on Chicago’s suburban office market.

GUESTS: Ralph Zucker, president of New Jersey-based Somerset Development

Danny Ecker, reporter for Crain’s Chicago Business

LEARN MORE: One Idea for Old Corporate Headquarters: The ‘Metroburb’ (Chicago Magazine 4/19/19)