Bridge Industrial in Downers Grove Continues The Era Of Office To Industrial Redevelopment
A major shift is underway in suburban Chicago, and Downers Grove may be one of its most important test cases.
Bridge Industrial recently received approval to demolish an outdated office building at 2300 Warrenville Road and replace it with a 243,000-square-foot industrial facility. The project, reported by The Real Deal, reflects a fast-emerging trend across the region: obsolete office campuses being reimagined as state-of-the-art logistics and industrial hubs.
This isn’t just about one building, it’s a major moment for industrial space in Downers Grove, the suburban office market, and how real estate investors are rethinking value across DuPage County.
Why the Office Market No Longer Works
The suburban office sector has been facing headwinds for years, but the pandemic accelerated its structural decline. In the western suburbs, vacancy rates have steadily climbed in older properties, particularly those without updated HVAC, natural light, or flexible configurations.
Buildings like the one Bridge Industrial is replacing were originally built in the 1960s and 1970s, back when suburban office parks thrived as back-office campuses for banks, insurance firms, and national service providers. But with hybrid work entrenched, many of these sites now sit largely vacant, generating less revenue and creating drag on surrounding property values.
The Industrial Surge in Downers Grove
In contrast, the industrial sector in Downers Grove is booming. With companies seeking efficient locations near major highways, and with the continued expansion of e-commerce and logistics, the village has become a sought-after industrial submarket.
Downers Grove’s location along the I-88 corridor, with fast access to I-355, is especially attractive to last-mile and regional distributors. It also benefits from proximity to BNSF freight lines and O’Hare International Airport.
Industrial users are looking for clear heights, loading docks, energy-efficient systems, and proximity to workforce—all things the new Bridge facility will offer. This facility will add to the growing inventory of industrial space in Downers Grove, helping meet the demand from light manufacturers, logistics providers, and warehouse operators looking for move-in-ready space outside the urban core.
According to DuPage County’s Development Committee, the county’s industrial tax base has outperformed all other asset classes since 2021, with year-over-year growth tied directly to redevelopment of underused parcels.
Redevelopment Over Replacement
Bridge Industrial’s plan to redevelop 2300 Warrenville Road isn’t about sprawl—it’s about adaptive reuse. Instead of tearing up farmland or pushing development into greenfields, this strategy breathes new life into sites that already have infrastructure, utilities, and workforce access.
More importantly, it keeps tax revenue local and productive. Obsolete office buildings often generate lower property taxes over time as vacancies rise. Replacing them with income-producing, high-demand industrial properties can stabilize municipal finances without burdening residential taxpayers.
Downers Grove has embraced this approach, working with Bridge on zoning adjustments and approvals to make the redevelopment possible. Local leaders have cited job creation, long-term tenancy, and modern design standards as key benefits to the community.
What This Means for the Broader Market
Bridge Industrial’s project isn’t a one-off. It’s a signal.
To investors: It shows there’s untapped value in suburban office parks, if you have the right team and vision to repurpose them.
To municipalities: It proves that economic development can be achieved through smart land use, not just greenfield expansion.
To local businesses: It provides much-needed Class A warehouse inventory that meets today’s operational demands.
Other communities in DuPage County—including Lisle, Lombard, and Oakbrook Terrace—are now watching Downers Grove’s success closely as they evaluate similar properties for potential conversion.
Economic and Community Benefits
Once complete, the 243,000-square-foot building at 2300 Warrenville Road is expected to create dozens of permanent jobs in warehousing, logistics, and management, not to mention hundreds of construction-related jobs during the redevelopment process.
Local businesses will benefit, too. More industrial workers mean more traffic for area restaurants, gas stations, service providers, and convenience retailers. And because industrial tenants typically sign longer leases, the site is expected to generate reliable tax revenue for years to come.
What Tenants and Investors Should Know
With land-constrained submarkets like Downers Grove, competition for quality industrial space is heating up. If you’re a user seeking space—or an owner wondering whether your site could be repositioned—this is the time to act.
That’s where working with a commercial real estate agent in Downers Grove becomes essential.
Experienced local agents understand the zoning code, redevelopment process, tenant mix, and pricing trends that impact both office and industrial strategies. They also have relationships with developers and municipalities, making it easier to navigate approvals and build productive partnerships.
Whether you’re looking to lease, buy, or reposition, partnering with a commercial real estate agent in Downers Grove ensures you’re making decisions informed by both data and local nuance.
The Future of Development in Downers Grove
Downers Grove has long been a stronghold for corporate back offices and light industry, but what’s happening now is something different.
This is about repositioning the suburb for the next 20 years, not just holding onto what it once was. Bridge Industrial’s development could set the tone for future reinvestment in the community and influence how DuPage County balances tax base stability, job growth, and land conservation.
Expect other property owners to take note. Aging office parks near Butterfield Road, Highland Avenue, and Finley Road may soon find themselves at the center of new industrial proposals, especially as demand outpaces supply in surrounding areas.
Conclusion
The approval of Bridge Industrial’s redevelopment of 2300 Warrenville Road is more than just a real estate story, it’s a window into how Downers Grove is evolving.
By converting obsolete office space into productive, job-creating industrial space in Downers Grove, the village is embracing a forward-thinking model that balances economic growth with sustainable land use.
And as the market shifts, those who adapt early, developers, tenants, investors, and municipalities, will be best positioned to thrive.
If you’re considering your next move in this changing market, there’s no better time to connect with a trusted commercial real estate agent in Downers Grove who understands the opportunity and can help you take full advantage of it.
