#USA #University Park #Logistics Center #Hillwood #University Park, IL

Hillwood and Clarius Partners Break Ground on the University Park Logistics Center

On October 17, 2025, Hillwood and Clarius Partners celebrated the official groundbreaking of the University Park Logistics Center, a promising industrial project located in University Park, Illinois. Spanning around 970,123 square feet, this speculative development represents an important investment in the logistics sector within the Chicago area.

The University Park Logistics Center is strategically positioned just two minutes away from the I-57 interchange at Stuenkel Road, offering exceptionally efficient access to both regional and national markets. This prime location connects to approximately 85.5 million people within a single day's drive, highlighting its significance as a distribution hub. Furthermore, Will County’s favorable real estate taxes and Tax Increment Financing (TIF) incentives add to the project’s attractiveness, ensuring long-term economic benefits for tenants.

Market Demand and Competitive Edge

Real estate experts from Colliers, including brokers David Bercu and Jim Estus, expressed optimism regarding the project's timing. They noted that recent leasing activity for buildings exceeding 800,000 square feet has created a growing demand for high-quality distribution spaces. “The recent leasing of buildings in excess of 800,000 square feet has left a void in the market for large, functional, well-designed distribution products. This development's delivery timing is ideal to meet market demand,” said the brokers.

Development Highlights

• - Building Size: Approximately 970,123 square feet of speculative industrial space.
• - Location: Two minutes from the full I-57 interchange at Stuenkel Road.
• - Market Reach: Provides access to 85.5 million people, which constitutes about 27% of the U.S. population.
• - Business Advantages: Competitive real estate tax environments and TIF incentives which contribute to cost savings.
• - Connectivity: Exceptional labor availability, complemented by multimodal transportation options.

Transformative Impact on Local Economy

Rachel Agba-Novak, Vice President of Transactions and Development at Hillwood, emphasized that this project is transformative for the I-57 corridor, marking another step in Hillwood’s strategic expansion throughout the Chicago region. “This project brings nearly one million square feet of modern logistics space to a market where large, high-quality facilities are in short supply. Its location, workforce access, and long-term cost advantages make it an exceptional opportunity to attract new investment, create jobs, and strengthen the region's role as a vital link in the national supply chain,” she stated.

Taivo Tammaru, Executive Vice President at Clarius Partners, echoed these sentiments, indicating that the University Park Logistics Center is poised to lead the industrial market in Chicago by 2026. He said, “We are very excited to have joined forces with Hillwood and share the vision of delivering impactful, efficient, best-in-class industrial products to the market at just the right time.”

Hillwood’s Vision and Expertise

Hillwood is recognized as a leader in the acquisition and development of high-quality industrial properties, boasting a portfolio of 292.8 million square feet distributed across the U.S., Canada, the UK, and Europe. The firm prioritizes well-located parcels that are poised for progress, maintaining one of the largest land banks with a development capacity exceeding 140 million square feet. Hillwood's expertise allows for effective collaboration with both public and private landowners to successfully complete diverse industrial projects.

About Clarius Partners

Founded in 2009, Clarius Partners specializes in industrial, office, medical, and land projects. With a development portfolio valued at over $1.8 billion and offices situated in Chicago and Scottsdale, Clarius provides full-service expertise in various domains, including site acquisition, construction management, and asset management. Their strong relationships with major financial institutions enhance their ability to deliver impactful projects.

For more information regarding leasing inquiries at the University Park Logistics Center, interested parties can reach out to David Bercu and Jim Estus.

As Hillwood continues to expand its footprint in the Midwest, projects like this logistics center not only serve business interests but also significantly contribute to local economies by attracting investments and creating numerous job opportunities.