Developer Unveils Darien Shopping Center Plan

DARIEN, IL – The owner of the Chestnut Court shopping center has unveiled details of his plan to overhaul it, which will be the focus of a city meeting next month.

The shopping center, which is southeast of 75th Street and Lemont Road, is largely vacant.

Under New Jersey-based developer Kumar Bhavanasi's proposal, 90,000 square feet of the shopping center would be demolished on the center's south end.

In its place would be a 156-unit, four-story apartment building with studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units. The developer also plans a standalone 13,000-square-foot retail building west of the apartments.

The proposal includes keeping the standalone bank building. Also, a 5,000-square-foot restaurant building with a drive-thru would be built at the corner of 75th and Lemont.

The developer also plans to add 11,000 square feet to the north side of the shopping center, next to Jo-Ann Fabrics. Parts of the shopping center, including Jo-Ann, would be renovated.

According to the plan, other on-site improvements would include landscaping, fencing, walkways, parking, loading areas and stormwater facilities.

On May 7, the zoning commission plans to review the proposal in the Darien City Council chambers, 1702 Plainfield Road. The meeting had been set for Wednesday, but it was rescheduled because not enough members were able to attend, the city said.

Bhavanasi bought the L-shaped shopping center in 2023.

Darien is looking to set up what is known as a tax increment financing district, commonly known as a TIF, for the center.

Under state law, a tax district's growth in property tax income for 23 years would be diverted for use in the district itself, rather than taxing bodies such as schools.

State law allows a tax district's money to be used for such things as utilities, stormwater improvements, parking lots and building renovations. But the money cannot be spent on the construction of privately owned buildings.

Many towns have tax districts, but Darien does not. Last year, Clarendon Hills endured controversy as it set up one.