24-hour spa pitched for AMC theater site in Vernon Hills
The curtain may be coming down on the AMC Classic Vernon Hills 8 theater south of Route 60.
Chicago-based GW Properties, a development company that has done other work in Vernon Hills, has a contract to purchase the site and is proposing a spa and a separate preschool for the property at 555 Lakeview Parkway.
Under the proposal to be presented to the village board Tuesday night, the theater building would be converted to a 24-hour spa. It is described in information presented to the village as offering the "ultimate nature-inspired relaxation" to include therapy and healing sauna rooms, lounges, hot tubs, dining services, rooftop, outdoor and indoor pools, and other features, like a Himalayan salt room.
The business plan submitted by ITB Development LLC also envisions waterslides for kids in a family-friendly environment for the 37,505-square-foot building in the Continental Executive Parke.
Day spas are permitted in the business park and there are other locations with those services, but this would be the first proposed 24-hour operation in town.
Information presented to the board says the spa concept of this size and quality is limited to eight locations in the U.S., including Premier 57 in New York City. King Spa Sauna in Niles is the only somewhat similar operation in this area, according to the proposal.
GW Properties also is proposing to create a lot from the 4.5-acre property for The Gardner School, which offers preschool programs for children up to 5 years old. The plan calls for a 16,333-square-foot building with 14 classrooms, 30 teachers and maximum enrollment of 190.
Among the features is an app that provides parents with real-time communication and updates regarding each child's day.
The 1,200-seat AMC Hawthorn 12 opened two years ago as a key part of the expansion and renovation of Hawthorn Mall. Observers have wondered what would become of the Classic 8, and despite general queries, this is the first specific proposal regarding the building or property, village officials said.
"We have been working on this property for a while and came up with these users since they showed the most interest in the site and are both destination-type users, which this site needs since its tucked off the street," said Mitch Goltz, principal for GW Properties.
GW also redeveloped the Sky Zone trampoline park and Lil' Kickers indoor soccer in the former Gordmans space in the Rivertree shopping center near Milwaukee Avenue and Route 60.
The ideas will be discussed during the village board's work session following the regular meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. at village hall, 290 Evergreen Drive.