‘Investing in an experience’: $5 million interior upgrades at Hawthorn mall part of broader reinvestment

New restaurants, luxury apartments and street-level retailers have replaced anchor stores and parking lots in recent years as a sweeping transformation of the Hawthorn mall property in Vernon Hills continues.

And more is coming. But property owner Centennial isn’t ignoring the traditional mall itself and has launched a $5 million plan to upgrade the interior of the 53-year-old shopping destination.

“The interior refresh represents another important step in Hawthorn's continued evolution,” said Sam Whitebread, vice president of development for Centennial Real Estate, which owns Hawthorn and Fox Valley Mall in Aurora.

“We’re investing in an experience that reflects how people want to shop and spend time today, while building on Hawthorn’s longstanding role as a central gathering place for Lake County,” he added in the project announcement.

As outlined, features will include natural materials, greenery, upgraded lighting, modern furnishings and “community-oriented spaces designed to reflect evolving consumer preferences for more flexible, comfortable, and experience-driven environments.”

Plans call for a transformed center court; lounge seating and other elements to increase “dwell time” throughout the center; dining court seating and lighting upgrades; and, updated flooring, railings and detailing in common areas.

A redesigned Kids Zone with interactive play features, climbing elements, reading nooks as well as enhanced way-finding and other features are part of the transition from a traditional shopping center to a walkable mix of uses inside and out, according to Centennial.

John Melaniphy, a longtime retail consultant and president of Melaniphy & Associates, said the mall interior has been well-maintained over the years, but a refresh is necessary to simultaneously upgrade the entire property and maintain sales.

At more than $2 billion, Vernon Hills in 2025 had the highest annual retail sales among Lake County communities, according to Melaniphy, who has done studies for the village in the past.

That's up 13.2% as Hawthorn has benefited from the demise of Golf Mill Mall in Niles and Northbrook Court in Northbrook, Melaniphy said, and been driven by residential development around the center.

The interior refresh builds on the broader redevelopment that has been full speed ahead since the former Sears anchor store on the east side of the mall was demolished in early 2021.

The Domaine, comprising 311-units in two, 4-story buildings, and the Main Street-style Hawthorn Row ground floor retail area was built on the footprint and completed in 2024.

Carson Pirie Scott was demolished the following year. That area is targeted for the second phase of redevelopment to include 282 apartments scheduled to be completed by 2028.

Other investments have been completed. AMC Hawthorn 12 recently debuted its new IMAX auditorium and Tricoci Salon & Spa expanded with a new MedSpa, for example.

Other improvements planned to begin in early 2027 include converting the east and south facades of the mall property to create outward facing retail storefronts and landscaped plazas with outdoor seating.

Interior work, anticipated to be substantially complete by fall, is designed as a connection between the shopping center and Hawthorn Row, surrounding apartments and townhouses and other activities.

In January, Tleules Mananov opened Hologram Zoo Illinois in one of the courts to be refreshed.

“As a business owner here, I love seeing them invest in the center’s future,” he said.

The village also has a big stake in what happens and has pledged $46.5 million in pay-as-you-go incentives for the mall property redevelopment.