FOR LEASE: Bell Works Chicagoland, A New Mixed-Use ‘Metroburb’ In Northern Illinois

Introducing Bell Works Chicagoland, the nation’s newest self-contained suburban metropolis, or “metroburb.”

Inspired by Somerset Development is transforming the 1.65M SF former AT&T corporate campus in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, into an ecosystem of offices, ground-floor retail, dining, residences, community gathering space and more. Folowing on the success of its New Jersey property, Inspired anticipates that the 150-acre Bell Works Chicagoland will become a new economic epicenter for Northern Illinois. 

In recent months, Bell Works Chicagoland has signed more than 80K SF of commercial leases. In total, more than 300K SF has been leased in the once-vacant property that was recently honored as part of Fast Co.’s 2023 Innovation by Design Awards.

Bell Works Chicagoland will host Bisnow's Chicago Repositioning and Conversions Summit on Nov. 29. Register here.

Bell Works Chicagoland is a four-story Class-A building at 2000 Center Drive in the northwest Chicago suburb of Hoffman Estates. It was built in 1990, and original architect Dirk Lohan is part of the team re-envisioning the site as a walkable and modern mixed-use development.

Unlike anything else in the region, Inspired is redeveloping the property to bring the vibrancy of an urban downtown to a tranquil suburban environment. The mixed-use Bell Works Chicagoland will promote connection and collaboration among tenants and visitors.

Central to this vision is The Block, a bustling pedestrian-style street with amenities including the recently opened full-service bar and café Fairgrounds World's Fair, an amenity-packed health club, a boutique high-intensity interval training studio, Bell Street Brewing featuring local craft beer, and Colab, an on-site coworking facility. The Square at Bell Works provides its community with spacious gathering places to connect among lush fiddle-leaf fig trees, colorful seating and natural light.

“Bell Works is unlike any other office space in the Chicago suburbs,” said tenant Michael Marchese, president of JumpFly. “Not only do our employees get to work in a place where they can eat, work out and socialize all under one roof, but the impressive building advances our level of professionalism when clients visit. Our strong culture is a great sense of pride at JumpFly, and I know Bell Works will add to that.” 

As part of its effort to foster a sense of community, Bell Works Chicagoland hosts a variety of events that include live music, motivational speakers, fitness classes and social hours. 

Bell Works Chicagoland is just off the Interstate 90 Jane Addams Memorial Highway, a high-traffic artery connecting downtown Chicago to the western suburbs and beyond. The campus is a 15-minute drive from O’Hare International Airport. Tenants and visitors will have access to ample parking, including a multilevel parking garage. 

The Village of Hoffman Estates has approved 164 high-end townhouses for Bell Works Chicagoland’s initial residential component. The town also granted preliminary approval for about 300 apartments on the same nearly 20-acre site. 

The luxury townhouses will include three bedrooms and an option for a fourth. Each unit will have three floors, with a two-car garage on the ground floor and the living areas above. Construction is expected to start in spring 2024 with the first deliveries by spring 2025.

With the townhomes within walking distance of the metroburb, Bell Works Chicagoland represents Inspired founder and CEO Ralph Zucker’s vision of a suburban site that incorporates characteristics of urban space while maintaining the community’s individual identity. 

• The Block, an indoor city street lined with dining and shopping.
• The Square, an indoor piazza to provide a hub for community, collaboration and relaxation.
• Colab coworking spaces for productivity and flexibility.
• Stunning pre-built “ready-to-wear” designer office suites from 800 SF to 3K SF.
• World's Fair by Fairgrounds, a lively café with a full-service kitchen, cocktail bar and convenient grab-and-go options.
• The Solarium, a skylit event center.
• Gather, an adaptable conference center.
• FitLab, a 30K SF health club.
• It Gym, a boutique training studio.
• Pop-up spaces for markets, art, cultural events, fitness and cafés.
• 2,800 parking stalls.
• Coming soon: Virtual/indoor golf.
• Coming soon: Pickleball courts. 

For brands of all sizes looking for a dynamic and lively workplace that energizes their employees, Bell Works Chicagoland has 913.8K SF of office space available in a variety of options, including pre-built offices, coworking space, and partial or full build-outs. 

Inspired is also curating an upscale retail community featuring a wide range of retail and entertainment spaces that include restaurants, fast-casual food and beverage, wellness, clothing and recreation.

To learn more about Bell Works Chicagoland or to view available space, visit LoopNet.

For office leasing: 

Steve Kling - 847-698-8256 or Steve.Kling@colliers.com 

Darryl Silverman - 847-698-8271 or Darryl.Silverman@colliers.com 

Tara Keating - 908-391-7123 or tarak@inspiredsd.com 

For retail leasing: 

Justin Korinis - 201-981-9032 or korinis@sabre.life 

Leslie Karr - 312-636-4764 or leslie.karr@svn.com

Sean Pyle - pyle@sabre.life

This article was produced in collaboration between Inspired by Somerset Development and Studio B. Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content.

Studio B is Bisnow’s in-house content and design studio. To learn more about how Studio B can help your team, reach out to studio@bisnow.com.