Mapletree Kicks Off 2 Chicago-Area Industrial Projects
Both properties are scheduled for completion next summer.
Mapletree Investments has broken ground on two industrial facilities in metro Chicago. One of the projects is at 3600 Houbolt Road (formerly known as 23551 Vetter Road) in Joliet, Ill., while the second one is at 1360 Schiferl Road in Bartlett, Ill.
Mapletree’s U.S. CEO Richard Prokup told Commercial Property Executive that speculative development in the nation has been trailing for nine quarters, resulting in undersupply for this type of asset. Which is why the company is focused on expanding in the industrial sector.
“Chicago stands out as a prime industrial investment right now. With two dozen intermodals, unrivaled expressway access and a resilient market that continues to absorb new development, it’s one of the most high-potential logistics markets in the country,” Prokup said.
Both projects are expected to come online in the summer of 2026. At 3600 Houbolt Road, the project is being built upon an 18.1-acre property, which is close to the Joliet Intermodal Center, the largest inland port on the continent, near the I-80 and I-55 interchange. Mapletree purchased the site in May, Urbanize Chicago previously reported. Original design plans called for a 276,000-square-foot warehouse.
Mapletree has brought on Keeley Construction to be the project’s general contractor. Plans include turning the site into a 312,306-square-foot bulk warehouse with 40-foot clear heights, 204 parking stalls, 76 trailer spaces and 59 dock doors. Cushman & Wakefield’s Vice Chairs Sean Henrick and Jason West will be handling the leasing efforts at the property.
READ ALSO: Top 5 Metros for Industrial Deliveries in H1 2025
At 1360 Schiferl Road, Morgan/Harbour Construction is the general contractor, which will bring a 149,100-square-foot light industrial building on an 8.2-acre site next to an existing 400,000-square-foot Mapletree warehouse. Known as the Bartlett Commerce Center, it will be a part of the Brewster Creek Business Park, a 5.2 million-square-foot business park that houses over 75 businesses, from Fortune 500 companies such as ITW to small local firms.
Construction plans call for 36-foot clear height ceilings, 42 dock doors, 181 parking spaces and two drive-in doors. Leasing efforts will be led by KBC Advisors’ Ryan O’Leary, Jonathan Postweiler and Jeff Fischer.
“These properties will offer Class A modern distribution space, featuring up to 40-foot clear heights, ample dock doors and parking,” Prokup said. “In Bartlett, demand typically comes from smaller, local users—especially food and beverage companies. In Joliet, users are typically sophisticated third-party logistics providers who leverage the intermodals and highway access for bulk distribution to regional and national customers.”
Industrial projects underway in Chicago
According to a recent Yardi Matrix report, construction activity in Chicago is gaining momentum. As of May, the metro had 7.3 million square feet underway, a major jump from 1.5 million during the same time last year. While construction numbers were high, deliveries remained low and the vacancy rate reached 8.4 percent.
In September, Hilwood Invest Properties and Clarius Partners joined forces to launch University Park Logistics Center, a new 970,123-square-foot speculative industrial facility, one of the area’s few large-scale industrial projects. Around that same time, CRG, Related Midwest and 548 Development began work on The Cubes at Roosevelt & Kostner. The partnership is working on a two-building, 364,102-square-foot development. The first building is expected to come online in the third quarter of 2026.
You must be logged in to post a comment.