Van Gelder, Diana Riekse, Michael Sessa and Jock Howland, all with Staubach Co., represented Hallmark Services in the lease transaction. Brian Whiting, with JF McKinney & Associates, represented building ownership, which is a joint venture between Chicago-based M&J Wilkow and Minnetonka, MN-based Cargill Financial Services. The company is currently occupying approximately 100,000 sf at 75 Executive Dr. in Aurora.

Hallmark is already leasing 52,000 sf on a temporary basis, which will be part of the 256,766 sf, and will move into the new space by the end of the year, Van Gelder says. The buildings, formerly occupied by Lucent Technologies Inc., had dual fiber-optics feeds, which was one of the reasons Hallmark chose the location in addition to "large efficient floor plates that are nearly 70,000 sf," Van Gelder says. Hallmark will have its call center at 1100 E. Warrenville Rd. and will have office space and training rooms at 1000 E. Warrenville Rd. A covered walkway will connect the two buildings, she says.

The Naperville Woods complex, which has approximately 292,000 sf, is more than 90% leased, Van Gelder says. The asking lease rate is $15.50 per sf, net for the buildings, which were constructed in 1981. Hallmark received a "significant tenant improvement allowance, free rent and the ability to stagger occupancy," she says. Other tenants in the complex include PayChex, the University of Illinois and KJWW Engineering. The venture acquired the buildings in 2005 for $10 million, sources say.