Proposed Northbrook Court Revamp Razes Macy's, Adds Apartments

NORTHBROOK, IL — The new owners of Northbrook Court are proposing a major redevelopment of the 40-year-old shopping mall. A preliminary proposal submitted to the Northbrook Village Board for review Tuesday would demolish the Macy's and completely renovate the interior of the mall. It envisions a new open-air plaza, "great lawn" and a 500,000 square foot residential development. The developers, Brookfield Properties and Ryan Companies, said their proposal would create a "truly unique environment" that would ensure the mall remains a "cornerstone" of the North Shore.

"To continue to meet the needs of the community as a regional shopping center, it is essential for Northbrook Court to evolve with the ever-changing retail landscape and shopping experience," according to a narrative accompanying the preliminary proposal. The developers envision a high-end grocery store as the new anchor for the west side of the mall. The "luxury" residential component would include about 300 apartments with an average unit size of about 963 square feet, it said.

"This mixed-use redevelopment will be a dynamic catalyst which propels Northbrook Court to a thriving retail, entertainment and living destination," the narrative said.

In order to provide value to the community, give the village a stronger tax base and return value to the owners for their investment, the developers may ask for a public-private partnership, "if appropriate," according to a cover letter from Brookfield Properties Senior Vice President Adam Tritt.

According to a memo from village staff accompanying the preliminary redevelopment proposal, the renovated west side of the mall would have new retail spaces and specialty kiosks overlooking the lawn and above a proposed food hall. It was not immediately clear how tenants inside the mall may be affected by the changes, it said. If all current tenants remain, California Pizza Kitchen and H&M would be able to have exterior entrances and new facades, but the impact on other retailers, such as the Gap, was not yet known, according to the memo.

In January, Macy's sold its space at the mall for $25 million to mall landlord GGP, which leased the space back to the retailer. GGP hinted at updates to the mall at the time, originally telling village staff it would share information about upcoming changes in June, according to the Northbrook Star.

GGP has so far approved plans for a pair of youth sports and recreation businesses: Northbrook Play, a play area designed by the Chicago Children’s Museum and sponsored by Lurie Children's Hospital, and Hi-Five Sports Clubs, which will move into a vacant space beside the Lord & Taylor store, according to a memo from village staff.

Last month, Brookfield, a commercial real estate company based in Bermuda, completed a $15 billion acquisition of Chicago-based GGP and its 125 properties. The Wall Street Journal reported that Brookfield plans to sell stakes in some properties while expanding the best performing and reconfiguring the worse performing malls into mixed-use developments with the addition of housing, hotels and office space.

Complete proposal to be presented to the Northbrook Village Board Sept. 25:

Earlier: Macy's Sells Northbrook Court Space, Leases It Back »

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