Shimer Square: Honoring History, Building Tomorrow
Shimer Square is coming to life in Mount Carroll, Illinois- representing a transformative redevelopment of the former Shimer College campus that preserves its unique character, historical significance, and integrity, all while giving it new purpose.
Residents are moving into 51 studio, 1-Bedroom, 2-Bedroom, and 3-Bedroom apartments within the McKee Hall, Hostetter Hall, and Dezendorf Hall. Units are filling, with timelines primarily wanting spring, so we've created a lease special to help move those timelines up! Those interested are encouraged to apply now through Yost Management Services, property manager for the apartments.
The Resource Center within the Sawyer House is open by appointment and select hours with Yost Management Services processing applications and moving residents into the 51 new apartments.
The new Honey Bee Child Development Center is getting closer to opening. The operator, 4-C Community Coordinated Child Care, is working diligently with DCFS to complete the final steps required for licensing. The process is detailed and highly structured, which means they must follow their procedures and timelines precisely. We understand the waiting is the hardest part, and we share in your anticipation. We invite interested families to submit enrollment interest forms, and we will keep collecting those on behalf of 4-C, so that when licensing is approved, enrollment can begin as smoothly as possible. We're pleased to share that 4-C has filled 22 positions, with 4 teaching roles still open. If you know someone who would be a great fit for the Honey Bee Center team, please feel free to share these opportunities.
This is just the beginning! Letters of Intent have been signed to furthering revitalization efforts, as we set the stage in 2026 for more historic buildings to come to life, with construction efforts beginning on the next phase in 2027.
Restoration is now complete on the campus’s iconic front entry gate, the historic Sawyer House, reborn as a Resource Center; McKee Hall, Hostetter Hall and Dezendorf Halls have been transformed into 51 studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments; and the newly constructed Early Childhood Development Center, now operating as Honey Bee Child Development Center is hiring staff and will begin enrolling children once they get their DCFS licensing approved. Howe Hall, Campbell Library, and Tolman Hall are next up for revitalization through letters of intent with coffee, a cafe and collective, brewery, and artist lodging on the horizon. Hathaway Hall also received a new roof, setting the stage for future redevelopment opportunities.
As Shimer Square continues to grow and evolve, we invite you to be part of its next chapter. Connect with us to learn how you can help shape this exciting new community- one that honors its past while embracing the promise of its future.
Residents are moving into 51 studio, 1-Bedroom, 2-Bedroom, and 3-Bedroom apartments within the McKee Hall, Hostetter Hall, and Dezendorf Hall. Units are filling, with timelines primarily wanting spring, so we've created a lease special to help move those timelines up! Those interested are encouraged to apply now through Yost Management Services, property manager for the apartments.
The Resource Center within the Sawyer House is open by appointment and select hours with Yost Management Services processing applications and moving residents into the 51 new apartments.
The new Honey Bee Child Development Center is getting closer to opening. The operator, 4-C Community Coordinated Child Care, is working diligently with DCFS to complete the final steps required for licensing. The process is detailed and highly structured, which means they must follow their procedures and timelines precisely. We understand the waiting is the hardest part, and we share in your anticipation. We invite interested families to submit enrollment interest forms, and we will keep collecting those on behalf of 4-C, so that when licensing is approved, enrollment can begin as smoothly as possible. We're pleased to share that 4-C has filled 22 positions, with 4 teaching roles still open. If you know someone who would be a great fit for the Honey Bee Center team, please feel free to share these opportunities.
This is just the beginning! Letters of Intent have been signed to furthering revitalization efforts, as we set the stage in 2026 for more historic buildings to come to life, with construction efforts beginning on the next phase in 2027.
Restoration is now complete on the campus’s iconic front entry gate, the historic Sawyer House, reborn as a Resource Center; McKee Hall, Hostetter Hall and Dezendorf Halls have been transformed into 51 studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments; and the newly constructed Early Childhood Development Center, now operating as Honey Bee Child Development Center is hiring staff and will begin enrolling children once they get their DCFS licensing approved. Howe Hall, Campbell Library, and Tolman Hall are next up for revitalization through letters of intent with coffee, a cafe and collective, brewery, and artist lodging on the horizon. Hathaway Hall also received a new roof, setting the stage for future redevelopment opportunities.
As Shimer Square continues to grow and evolve, we invite you to be part of its next chapter. Connect with us to learn how you can help shape this exciting new community- one that honors its past while embracing the promise of its future.
Shimer Square: Rendering to Reality
Lease Special! First Month Free + $99 Security Deposit for leases signed by 2/28/2026
Shimer Square is offering a limited-time lease special: one month free rent with a $99 security deposit for anyone who signs a lease by February 28. Many potential residents wanted to move in spring, so now is a great opportunity to move your timeline up, sign a lease, and take advantage. Contact Yost Property Management for details: 217-345-2414 or email [email protected].
Update on Honey Bee Early Child Development Center 2/18/2026
The operator is working diligently with DCFS to complete the final steps required for licensing. All paperwork is submitted. The DCFS process is detailed, complex, stringent, and must be followed precisely, which means we are fully bound to their timeline. We understand how frustrating the waiting can be, and we share your anticipation. We’re happy to share that 4-C: Community Coordinated Child Care has filled 22 positions, with 4 teaching positions still open + assistant cook/ janitor! Please share these openings with anyone you believe would be a good fit for the Honey Bee Center team: https://www.four-c.org/honey-bee-child-development-center/.
Residents moving in to Shimer Square
Residents have begun moving into Shimer Square, with the first resident arriving in late November 2025, marking the moment Shimer Square officially became home to its first community members. This is just the beginning, as the apartments are well on their way to full occupancy based on residents’ confirmed move-in timelines.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Celebrated the Redevelopment of Shimer Square
Economic Growth Corporation (GROWTH) and the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 celebrating the completion of the Shimer Square redevelopment, a transformative adaptive-reuse project that has brought new life to the historic former Shimer College campus in Mount Carroll, Illinois. Read full news release.
Time Capsule placed inside McKee Hall
Economic Growth Corporation's team joined Mayor Carl R. Bates for a photo as we prepared a time capsule to be placed inside McKee Hall at Shimer Square Apartments- a gift for future generations to discover. This capsule serves as a reminder of how far we’ve come, and the journey still before us. With meaningful partners by our side, the Shimer Square story continues to unfold- perseverance, preservation, and progress.
Applications now open- Prelease Your Apartment at Shimer Square!
Economic Growth Corporation and Yost Management Services proudly announce Yost Management, property manager, is now accepting applications for Shimer Square's 51 studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. Units range in size from 462-1093 square feet and rents range from $430 to $948 per month. Preleasing means that applicants can secure their apartment before construction is complete- and move in the moment Shimer Square receives its Occupancy Permit.
All leasing-related communications will be handled exclusively by Yost Management:
All leasing-related communications will be handled exclusively by Yost Management:
- Applicants may apply online at www.YMS-Rentals.com
- Select Shimer Square Apartments from the property list: https://www.yms-rentals.com/properties/shimer-square.
- Questions call 217-345-2414 or by email at [email protected].
4-C Named Operator of New “Honey Bee Child Development Center at Shimer Square”
Economic Growth Corporaon (GROWTH) and 4-C Community Coordinated Child Care (4-C) proudly announce that 4-C will operate newly named “Honey Bee Child Development Center at Shimer Square” in Mt. Carroll, IL. This transformative partnership- GROWTH as developer and 4-C as operator- will expand access to high-quality childcare and support working families within a 30-minute radius of the Shimer Square campus. 4-C has signed a long-term lease with GROWTH to operate the center. Learn more by clicking here.
51 Apartments targeting Early Fall Completion, $23.4 Million Hard Construction Investment
As of July 24, 2025, construction on the 51 units of apartments remains targeted for completion early fall. The unit mix offers studio, one-,two-, and three-bedroom units within Dezendorf Hall and McKee/Hostetter Halls. Learn more by clicking here.
Early Childcare Development Center nearing completion, $2 Million Investment
Construction of the Early Childhood Development Center is targeting completion in August. Interior work continues, with exterior work completed. New concrete sidewalks and new asphalt parking lot is completed. Operator announcement on August 15th, with job inquiry list on ShimerSquare.com closing the same day, and will be handed over to the operator. Learn more by clicking here.
Resource Center (Sawyer House), opening 2025
Renovation is completed, which began in August 2023, supported by the $1.5 million Rebuild Illinois grant. Work included masonry restoration, new ADA accessible entrance, and interior restoration and system upgrades. The Sawyer House is becoming a Resource Center, offering resources for entrepreneurs, renters, homeowners, and the broader community. Currently, the Sawyer House is being used as a construction office for Growth General Contracting, LLC, as major rehabilitation continues across campus. Once apartment construction is completed, the Resource Center will officially open. Learn more by clicking here.
Rebuild Illinois efforts completed, $1.5 Million Investment
Work is officially completed on the $1.5 million Rebuild Illinois- Regional Economic Development grant by the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity that helped to restore the front entry gate, restoration of the Sawyer House (Resource Center), and roof replacement on Hathaway Hall for future redevelopment. One of 11 awardees, GROWTH’s revitalization efforts at Shimer Square align with Governor Pritzker’s 5-year plan strengthening economies and developing regional industry. Learn more by clicking here.
Time Capsule
On August 28, 2025, Economic Growth Corporation's team joined Mayor Carl R. Bates for a photo as we prepared a time capsule to be placed inside McKee Hall at Shimer Square Apartments- a gift for future generations to discover. This capsule serves as a reminder of how far we’ve come, and the journey still before us. With meaningful partners by our side, the Shimer Square story continues to unfold- perseverance, preservation, and progress.
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Commencement Celebration held on May 28, 2022 where Mayor Carl Bates introduced Brian Hollenback, President/CEO for GROWTH who took the time to update the community on development updates, that construction soon begin.
“Our first commitment was to bring Mayfest back to the Shimer Square campus. It only makes sense that three years later, after one intervening pandemic, we come back to Mayfest to update the community on our good news, and to assure the same community that GROWTH is working hard behind the scenes to advance the shared plans that are starting to be realized for this historic campus.”
~ Brian Hollenback, President/CEO. Photo courtesy of the Carroll County Mirror-Democrat.
Contact Us
Shimer Square Apartment Leasing Office (Yost Management Services)
Phone: (217) 345-2414
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (217) 345-2414
Email: [email protected]
