A New Community Hub Rises from the Ashes of Stratford Square Mall

The village of Bloomingdale is transforming the old Stratford Square Mall into a vibrant mixed-use district called The Grove. This $78 million project aims to bring back the community spirit that the mall once had. The Grove will feature restaurants, entertainment options, and housing, all centered around a man-made lake and event lawn. The Grove is part of a larger trend in the Chicago area, where old malls are being redeveloped into new community spaces. Bloomingdale looked at other local malls like Niles' Golf Mill Shopping Center and Aurora's Fox Valley Mall for inspiration. They also studied successful projects in other states to ensure The Grove offers a great user experience and walkability.The first tenant announced for The Grove is Bloomingdale Yard, an indoor sports and family recreation center. This was a top request from residents during public engagement in 2022. The Yard will offer sports leagues, training, child care, and more. It is expected to break ground this spring and open in 2027, attracting an estimated 260, 000 annual visitors. The village is also in talks with other potential tenants and hopes to make more announcements in the spring. The Grove is envisioned as the village's entertainment district, with green spaces and event areas hosting concerts and farmers markets. Construction of utility infrastructure has already begun, and the rest of the project is set to start late spring or early summer. The Grove is being developed in partnership with several companies, including Segovia Partners and Gravity Architecture & Design. The goal is to create a space that complements the community and brings people together again.