New investment in Pullman now totals $250 million and has created for residents both jobs and places to shop. CNI recently built a “green” factory in Pullman that San Francisco-based Method Products uses to manufacture soap. Walmart opened a 150,000-square-foot outlet and Ross Dress for Less, Planet Fitness, and Advocate Health Care anchor another 70,000 square feet of new retail space. Potbelly, Laine's Bakery, and Star Cleaners will open later in 2017.

Todd Heine and Brendan Kelly, both principals with brokerage firm Avison Young, are marketing Pullman Crossings and targeting food processing and distribution firms. Avison Young represented Whole Foods Market in the transaction that brought it to Pullman.

“The decision by Whole Foods to establish operations in this increasingly vibrant food processing and distribution corridor has set the stage for others to follow,” says Heine. “Pullman Crossings is an ideal location for food services companies as well as general distribution centers due to its proximity to Chicago's urban population, experienced labor force and the different means of transportation.”

CHICAGO—Chicago has become one of the most powerful and active industrial markets in the nation, and developers now seek to open up new areas in order to satisfy demand. Ryan Companies US, Inc. and Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives have begun work on Pullman Crossings, a new 50+-acre industrial park located at I-94 and 103rd St. in the city's historic Pullman community and on the largest undeveloped land site close to downtown. The partners say it can accommodate multiple industrial warehouse and distribution facilities totaling up to 1.2 million square feet and generate more than $100 million dollars of investment.

“Pullman Crossings will be a transformational project for the immediate area and the entire 9th Ward,” says Tim Hennelly, president of Ryan's Great Lakes Region. “We're creating a state-of-the-art industrial park within 20 minutes of Chicago's Loop to attract and accommodate large users, create jobs and be a part of the ongoing effort to revitalize Pullman.”

And Pullman Crossings is part of Pullman Park, a 180-acre, mixed use development by CNI. Ryan is also playing an important role in that effort. It started construction in March on a 140,000-square-foot Whole Foods Market distribution center on the new park's south end. The company has completed the site work and building shell, and started work on the interior build-out. Ryan plans to finish by January 2018. Along with Gotham Greens, another new user that occupies about 75,000 square feet in the neighborhood, the move by Whole Foods has begun to transform Pullman into one of the city's new food distribution centers.

“The investment in Pullman Crossings will create additional new opportunities for continuing to build a strong, growing community while improving the quality of life for all its residents and the region,” says 9th Ward Alderman Anthony Beale.

New investment in Pullman now totals $250 million and has created for residents both jobs and places to shop. CNI recently built a “green” factory in Pullman that San Francisco-based Method Products uses to manufacture soap. Walmart opened a 150,000-square-foot outlet and Ross Dress for Less, Planet Fitness, and Advocate Health Care anchor another 70,000 square feet of new retail space. Potbelly, Laine's Bakery, and Star Cleaners will open later in 2017.

Todd Heine and Brendan Kelly, both principals with brokerage firm Avison Young, are marketing Pullman Crossings and targeting food processing and distribution firms. Avison Young represented Whole Foods Market in the transaction that brought it to Pullman.

“The decision by Whole Foods to establish operations in this increasingly vibrant food processing and distribution corridor has set the stage for others to follow,” says Heine. “Pullman Crossings is an ideal location for food services companies as well as general distribution centers due to its proximity to Chicago's urban population, experienced labor force and the different means of transportation.”