Trammell Crow Starts Construction on 1.6M SF Distribution Center in DeKalb

DEKALB, IL—Developer Trammell Crow has commenced construction on a 1.6-million-square-foot distribution and packaging center for Ferrara Candy Co. here.

Ferrara Candy Co. of Oak Brook Terrace, IL, has committed to 106 acres at the ChicagoWest Business Center and will occupy two buildings, a 1.2 million-square-foot distribution center and a 466,000-square-foot packaging center, located at 801 E. Gurler Road and 1001 E. Gurler Road respectively, for its operations.

Ferrara’s new distribution complex is expected to be fully operational in the second quarter of 2021 and will bring approximately 500 jobs to the city. The project has an estimated value of approximately $100 million, according to a report in the Daily Chronicle.

Joe Grimes, a VP with Trammell Crow Co., will oversee the design and construction of the project. Matt Mulvihill and Kevin Segerson of CBRE represented Ferrara in the transactions.

Oak Brook-based Krusinski Construction Co. has been named the general contractor on the project. Harris Architects, Inc. is the project’s architect of record and Jacob & Hefner Associates, Inc. is the civil engineer in connection with the Ferrara Candy development.

Trammell Crow, which is headquartered in Dallas, is continuing to seek other firms that are looking to locate operations at ChicagoWest Business Center; where an additional 2.5 million square feet of industrial space can be brought to market.

“While our focus is on executing this project for Ferrara and our partners, we are excited about the prospects that this development may bring for additional interest in ChicagoWest Business Center. The labor story, the Enterprise Zone incentives, the great community of DeKalb, and the convenient location and high-visibility that come from being situated on I-88 all support the regional distribution center that this site could provide for companies,” says Johnny Carlson, a principal with TCC. “