Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Continues South Side Expansion
The division of Health Care Service Corp. reports it is expanding its operations and has signed a lease for nearly 130,000 square feet of space at the Marshfield Plaza Building at 1119th St. and Marshfield Ave.
CHICAGO—Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois will be bringing approximately 550 jobs to the Morgan Park section of the South Side by the second quarter of next year.
The division of Health Care Service Corp. reports it is expanding its operations and has signed a lease for nearly 130,000 square feet of space at the Marshfield Plaza Building at 1119th St. and Marshfield Ave. The building formerly housed a Target location that closed earlier this year, which eliminated more than 100 jobs.
“This center is the latest example of HCSC’s longstanding commitment to invest in the communities we are fortunate to serve,” says Maurice Smith, president of Health Care Service Corp. “We are member-owned, so our focus is on the needs of our members and the communities in which they live—not shareholders. We are committed to improving the communities where we operate, which includes tackling health issues and societal factors, such as joblessness, that keep people from being their best selves.”
The center will become the second South Side location for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois. In April, BCBSIL opened the Blue Door Neighborhood Center in Pullman. The new Morgan Park site will combine community health outreach with employee workspace.
“This further expansion into Chicago’s South Side demonstrates our ongoing commitment to supporting and empowering our local communities,” Smith says. “This new center will eventually bring 550 jobs to Chicago’s 34th Ward—most of those will be new positions. Our aim is to create a multifunctional space for both employees and the local community once we open our doors in 2020. The site will integrate our capabilities at a local level to meaningfully improve health outcomes and experiences.”
“This facility represents the type of collaboration, partnership and investment we need to improve the lives of residents while also boosting the economic development of our communities,” says Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. “I am grateful to Blue Cross and Blue Shield for recognizing the bright talent and value available across Chicago, as well as their commitment to our citywide mission of growing jobs, creating opportunity and improving the health and life outcomes for all Chicagoans.”
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois signed the lease at the building with owner and operator DL3 Realty.
“We are excited to partner with Blue Cross and Blue Shield to reinvigorate Marshfield Plaza, and their impressive commitment of over 500 jobs will encourage other anchor institutions to venture south and explore new opportunities,” says Leon Walker, managing partner DL3 Realty Advisors, LLC.
Construction will begin later this summer to reimagine the space to accommodate the multiple functions planned for the site. Doors will likely open in the second quarter of 2020, according to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois.