Western Works industrial development breaks ground

Mayor Brandon Johnson and city officials recently joined developer Brookfield Properties to celebrate the groundbreaking of Western Works, a four-building industrial campus on the South Side. The $100 million project will replace the former Wheatland Tubing warehouse facility, which closed in 2024 and sits on a 28-acre site.

"This groundbreaking is a testament to what is possible when we prioritize investment which revitalizes of our communities,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "By transforming this shuttered site into a thriving, sustainable industrial campus we are advancing long-term economic opportunity on Chicago’s Southwest Side while delivering hundreds of new jobs and renewed economic vitality for our residents."  

Designed by Nelson, the campus will feature four facilities ranging from 75,000 to 198,000 square feet, totaling approximately 569,000 square feet of space. The buildings will be equipped with 87 dock doors and 635 parking stalls to support modern logistics and manufacturing needs. 

The development is being supported by a Cook County Class 6(b) incentive provided by the Department of Planning and Development. The incentive encourages the rehabilitation of abandoned properties by lowering the property tax assessment rate for a period of 12 years. This reduction is estimated to save $7.2 million in development costs. 

With demolition of the former Wheatland buildings already complete, general contractor ARCO/Murray can move forward with the new construction. Permits have already been issued for the new buildings. Construction is slated for completion by late 2027.