Business and Economic Development

Update Regarding Westfield Old Orchard Mall and Business District

During the recent creation of the Westfield Old Orchard Business District, the possibility of mall ownership changes or joint ventures were contemplated and addressed by Village leaders in the agreement between the Village of Skokie and Westfield Old Orchard. 

“The possibility always exists for significant properties to change ownership, as has historically been the case with Westfield Old Orchard mall that has had numerous owners over the years. Currently, as was initially announced in 2021 and recently reported in the media, the United States properties within the Global Westfield portfolio continue to be the subject of a possible sale,” said Village Manager John Lockerby.  “The Village carefully crafted the new Business District agreement so that all obligations transfer to any possible new ownership and no tax money is transferred until actual improvements are completed. The Village and Westfield – or Westfield’s successor - will continue to work together to ensure the mall’s transformation, achieving an even stronger flagship property status. On a national level, the mall industry is evolving to respond to e-commerce competition and the ongoing impact of changing pandemic conditions. The commitment to ensure Old Orchard’s relevance remains a top priority.”

Regardless of official ownership, the vision for the mall, including the Business District, remains unchanged. Plans are already underway for site improvements to heighten Westfield Old Orchard’s status as a best-in-class shopping destination for Chicago’s North Shore and beyond. Several new restaurant and retail concepts are coming soon to Westfield Old Orchard, including Tory Burch, Bar Siena, The Capital Grille, Alo Yoga, Reset by Therabody, Molly’s Cupcakes, L’Occitane, Marine Layer, Pie Five and Rod & Gunn, with more exciting announcements expected in coming months and throughout 2022. 

 “Westfield and the Village of Skokie have jointly developed a plan to secure a thriving future for the shopping center and we are fully committed to bringing new uses and diverse offerings, as well as enhancing the customer experience to create the best-in-class destination in the Chicagoland area,” said Dominic Lowe, U.S. Chief Operating Officer, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield.  “In the coming months, we will announce new first-to-market retail and entertainment destinations that will transform the future of the center and the local community.”

The Village of Skokie’s innovative partnership with the Westfield Old Orchard ownership, as evidenced by the new Business District, ensures significant investments for the mall’s future success and insulates the property from the challenges experienced by so many retail shopping destinations. In addition, since the Business District was approved, Westfield has initiated conversations and meetings to explore the possibility of bringing new uses, including residential development, to the mall. 

Westfield Old Orchard is important to the region and community in many ways, including as a popular destination and resource to reduce the tax burden on other Skokie property tax payers.  Westfield’s annual property tax bill exceeds $14 million, of which approximately six percent, or $850,000, goes to the Village of Skokie. The remaining $13 million in funds go to Skokie school districts, Park District, Library and other taxing bodies.  Regardless of mall ownership, 100 percent of the investments made possible by the Business District will stay in Skokie, ensuring that Old Orchard remains a viable economic engine for many years to come. 

Westfield Old Orchard Business District Designation to Bring Exciting Enhancements That Create a Best-In-Class North Shore Destination

On March 7, 2022, the Skokie Village Board approved the designation of Westfield Old Orchard shopping center, the Village’s premiere sales tax generator, as an official Business District.  As the final step in the process, the Village Board passed a resolution on March 21, 2022 authorizing and approving the Old Orchard Westfield Redevelopment Agreement CLICK HERE.

This decision followed a months-long, public project review and approval process. An initial presentation was made at the December 6, 2021 Village Board meeting, followed by a public hearing at the January 18, 2022 Village Board meeting as well as review, consideration and public comment at both the February 7 and March 7, 2022 Village Board meetings.

With this designation, Westfield Old Orchard becomes one of more than 220 Business Districts in the State of Illinois, with the sales tax rate at the shopping center to be increased by one percent no earlier than July 2022.  

“Westfield Old Orchard is an important asset to the Village of Skokie, with sales and property taxes from the center providing direct financial benefits for Village services as well as the Skokie Public Library, Skokie Park District, local elementary, high school and community college school districts and other taxing bodies,” said Mayor George Van Dusen. “In 1990, Village leaders made a bold decision to invest in improvements at Old Orchard that included the parking garage adjacent to Nordstrom which was pivotal to the retailer’s decision to locate at Old Orchard instead of other nearby centers. At the same time, the Village Board pledged to freeze property taxes at $15.4 million annually for at least five years – a pledge that has now been upheld for more than 30 years due to the Village’s continued, strategic economic development and prudent budgeting. These forward-thinking moves made for a great quality of life in our community while also contributing to the area’s regional standing, drawing people from around the Midwest to Skokie and surrounding communities, supporting their economies, too. The new one percent tax continues this historic pattern of wise investment to benefit Skokie and the entire region.”

The property tax burden at Old Orchard from Cook County, school districts and other taxing bodies accounts for 38% of tenant expense which is significantly higher than the national industry average of 12%, posing challenges to significant capital investment.  “Not only is Westfield Old Orchard the Village’s premiere sales tax generator, it is also a destination driver that brings people and additional businesses to Skokie” said Village Manager John Lockerby. “Now is the time to position Old Orchard’s future considering the changing retail environment in our region as well as increasing internet shopping trends.” 

All revenues generated from the designation of Westfield Old Orchard as a Business District will be directly reinvested by Westfield in urgently-needed upgrades to the shopping center’s infrastructure, customer amenities and overall ambience to ensure long-term business success and continued economic vitality. In addition to generating essential tax revenue, Westfield Old Orchard is Skokie’s largest private sector source of employment, creating jobs for approximately 3,200 area residents. 

“As we emerge from the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and as the retail environment continues to change so rapidly, we know businesses must transform to meet evolving customer expectations,” said Serge Khalimsky, Westfield Old Orchard’s General Manager. “At Westfield Old Orchard, we are passionate about the opportunity to invest in the center’s infrastructure, new uses and diverse offerings to create a best-in-class destination on the North Shore.”