Changes Ahead for Cermak Road Stretch

CHICAGO-While a Dallas-based developer plans to build a 107,000-sf industrial building at Cermak Road and Morgan Street, a pair of five-story timber loft buildings about one block north are being sold at auction next month. Koll Development Co. will build a warehouse and office building for Health Care Service Corp. on 7.8 acres at 955 W. Cermak Rd., while Inland Real Estate Auctions Inc. will hold an auction for a combined 410,000 sf on five acres at 1100 W. Cermak Rd. and the 2100 block of South Canalport.

Koll Development’s build-to-suit, which can be expanded to 162,000 sf, will allow Health Care Service Corp.’s Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Illinois to move its printing, mail and administrative functions from 717 S. Des Plaines St. Blue Cross/Blue Shield will shift 80 employees to the build-to-suit, and eventually could have 200 working there. The project recently won an endorsement from the plan commission.