Industrial buildings to replace former farm in Vernon Hills
Construction of an industrial park on the largest undeveloped property in Vernon Hills is moving rapidly.
Heavy equipment has been out in force for earthmoving and other aspects of the $100 million South Lake Industrial Center on what is known as the Darling Farm, west of Milwaukee Avenue.
Village officials approved the project several months ago, and a site permit to allow the work to begin was approved. The first building permit also has been issued and two others are in review, according to Mike Atkinson, community development director.
California-based Panattoni Development Co. Inc., one of the largest industrial developers in the Chicago market, plans to build four buildings covering more than 904,000 square feet.
The buildings would be built at the same time on a speculative basis, company officials have told the village.
They will be designed to accommodate various uses, including distribution, e-commerce, light manufacturing, headquarters and associated offices, according to information presented to the village.
The 60 acres had been owned by the Darling family for generations but remained undeveloped even as the Corporate Woods business center was built around it in the 1980s.
The property became available last year, and Panattoni's interest in developing the property surfaced last fall.
This past May, the village's advisory planning and zoning commission unanimously approved a special use permit, site plan, architecture and other elements needed to proceed, and the village board granted official approval.
Observers say the intent of the large company to proceed with the project on a speculative basis shows a strong Lake County market for warehouse and distribution uses.
A company representative was not immediately available Monday to comment on the schedule or potential tenants.