Opus Group Unveils Spec Industrial Project in Mokena

Construction on the two-building complex will begin this month and should be completed by June 2020, according to the Minneapolis-headquartered firm.

A rendering of the Mokena Corporate Center.

MOKENA, IL—The Opus Group has announced plans to build Mokena Corporate Center, a speculative 268,225-square-foot industrial project here.

Construction on the two-building complex will begin this month and should be completed by June 2020, according to the Minneapolis-headquartered firm.

The project in this southwestern suburb of Chicago will be developed nearly 16 acres and will offer access to the LaGrange Avenue and I-80 interchange with visibility from I-80. The first building will be 154,581 square feet and the second building will total 113,644 square feet.

“We’re excited to have this modern industrial development underway,” says Mike Robinson, senior director of real estate development for Opus. “The Mokena market is ripe for industrial growth and this project will offer functional space for warehouse and distribution tenants.”

Opus is the developer, design-builder and architect and structural engineer of record. Lee & Associates will market the speculative buildings for lease.

Terry Grapenthin, principal at Lee & Associates, says that due to the development’s premier location, coupled with strong tenant demand in the submarket, should allow the quick stabilization of the buildings.

Earlier this week, Opus Group announced that Corporate Woods II in Ankeny, IA, a 200,000-square-foot, speculative bulk industrial development, has been fully leased. Carroll Tire Company, a tire wholesaler company occupies 73,000 square feet; Alfa Laval, a leader within the technological area of heat transfer, will occupy 36,000 square feet; and Berlin Packaging, a packaging supplier, will occupy 73,000 square feet. Additionally, Harrell’s Car Wash Systems will occupy 18,000 square feet.

Opus began construction on phase two of the three-phase, master-planned development at Corporate Woods Industrial Park in the summer of 2017 and completed the building shell in May 2018. Situated on approximately 20 acres and just one exit north of the I-35 and I-80 interchange, the site provides convenient access to major highways and local amenities, making it a desirable location for its tenants.

Opus will begin work on the third and final phase this fall. The final phase, a 200,000-square-foot building with 32-foot clear height, will be ready for occupancy in 2020. This project is Opus’ fourth speculative building in the metro Des Moines market.