Joliet AT&T: $5M Project, New Name, 1st Tenant Revealed

JOLIET, IL — No area of Joliet, not the near west side, not the far west side, not the east side, has more ongoing commercial construction activity than Joliet's downtown.

The latest talk of the town is a $5 million facelift at the former AT&T building, 65 W. Webster St.

An out-of-town investment company that most people in Joliet have never heard of is about to become a major player in Joliet.

EJ Commercial Real Estate based in Roselle bought the AT&T building last year through an online auction. The company's website identifies redevelopment as one of the building blocks of the company's strategy: "Redefining how old spaces can be utilized for maximized efficiency," its website proclaims.

During Wednesday's phone interview, EJ Commercial President Marcin Chojnacki told Joliet Patch the AT&T redevelopment marks a $5 million project for his investment firm.

He told Patch that a fitness gym has signed on as his building's first major tenant. The goal is to have the fitness center open around February, he said.

The Studio 65 fitness center will occupy about 16,000 square feet on the first and second floors of the renovated building.

The fitness club and gym will feature treadmills and classes geared for yoga and Zumba. It's also possible that martial arts classes would use the building.

The AT&T building will be renamed Riverfront Plaza, EJ Commercial's president said.

Contractors are working daily in hopes of having "the shell and exterior done in the next 30 days," Chojnacki added.

As for other parts of the building, EJ Commercial is courting medical groups, call centers, lawyers and government agencies as prospective tenants, the company told Joliet Patch.

Some prospective tenants are already starting to tour the building for walk throughs.

"We are confident that the fitness center will act as an amenity for the premium office space for the other floors," Chojnacki said.

The first floor will also be geared toward attracting retail, a restaurant or perhaps a yogurt shop, he added.

Interestingly, EJ Commercial said it has not been in a huge hurry to sign leases with tenants.

At the moment, the company's highest priority is overhauling the AT&T Building.

"We're not going heavy on the marketing until the shell is complete," the company president said Wednesday.

Why Joliet? Why downtown Joliet?

EJ Commercial's president told Patch he has been impressed with the city of Joliet's commitment to downtown Joliet, as well as the flurry of new restaurant openings in recent years. EJ is also impressed with the new $215 million 10-story Will County Courthouse that opens in less than a month.

Finally, EJ Commercial said the building renovations and success of John Bays and Bays Investment Group can't be ignored, either.

When the renovations are all done, EJ Commercial anticipates it could have as many as 15 tenants leasing space throughout the building.

Chojnacki said he has worked closely with City Hall's Derek Conley, Joliet's economic development specialist. He participated in Conley's 2019 downtown building tours showing off properties that were available for revitalization.

"The city of Joliet has been very helpful to work with," Chojnacki said. "And with Derek Conley, he's been a blessing to work with."

EJ Commercial has already joined the Joliet Chamber of Commerce and sponsored a recent golf outing, according to Joliet Chamber President Jen Howard.

"They want to get involved in the community, and this is great for downtown," Howard told Joliet Patch on Wednesday. "We're just so excited that they are investing in this area. We are excited that they have a modern vision for that building."