Progress Photos

We’re excited to share the latest construction progress across the campus! While these photos highlight how far we’ve come, the campus remains closed as an active construction site to keep schedules on track. Thank you for your continued support!

12/2025: Built in the 1950s as a Shimer College dormitory, Dezendorf Hall housed generations of students. Today, it has been transformed into 18 modern apartments, featuring 1- and 3-bedroom units, while preserving much of its original historic charm. Each apartment includes a private outdoor balcony or walk-out patio for added comfort.
Residents enjoy:
✅ Spacious 1-bedroom or 3-bedroom, 2-bath units
✅ 557–1,087 sq. ft. floor plans
✅ Affordable rent ranging from $444–$948/month
✅ In-unit washer and dryer
✅ Brand-new elevator
✅ Tenant parking
✅ Childcare coming soon at Honey Bee Child Development Center at Shimer Square
✅ School less than 1 mile away
✅ Beautiful campus quad with grills, picnic tables, and green space
✅ Access to McKee Hall amenities: gaming room, kitchenette, library, and multipurpose room

7/31/2025: Finish work has begun at McKee & Hostetter, with the upper floors featuring completed painting, refinished floors, cabinetry installation, and ongoing trim work. Lower floors- third, second, and ground-trail behind purposefully as crews work their way top to bottom, and ultimately out of the buildings.

7/24/2025: Parking lot asphalted and parking lot stripes completed at the Early Childcare Development Center. The sidewalks were completed the week prior. New chain link fencing installed for children play area in the rear, along with privacy fencing installed surrounding the HVAC units for visual appeal. The asphalt in the front of the childcare center is a designated easy drop-off and pick-up for the childcare center.

7/24/2025: Work continues at Dezendorf Hall, with most apartments on the top floor nearing completion. A New elevator has been installed, and inspections underway.

7/24/2025: The Early Childhood Development Center is nearly completed, with the new parking lot in process and flooring starting this week. Completion with minor punch list items is expected August 1, 2025.

5/9/2025: The Early Childhood Development Center at Shimer Square is nearing completion. Exterior siding is finished, interior drywall and taping are nearly complete, and plumbing and MEP work are well underway. Painting and flooring are next in line. The project is on track for completion in early July, with an operator to be announced soon.

3/25/2025: Dezendorf Hall is the furthest along, with new windows installed along the stairwells. This building features a mix of spacious three-bedroom, two-bath units and one-bedroom floor plans. Built with solid concrete construction, the top floor boasts impressive cathedral ceilings. Each unit includes either a balcony or patio, offering outdoor space for residents. While new windows have been installed throughout Dezendorf, the windows in McKee/Hostetter Hall are undergoing full restoration to preserve their historic character. Completion is still tracking for late summer/ early fall.

3/25/2025: Work at McKee/Hostetter Hall is progressing from top to bottom, with units at various stages of completion. Some are already receiving interior paint, while others are in the drywall, taping, and framing phases. Construction will continue following this top-down approach. Notably, the former kitchen and mezzanine (which connects the buildings), are being transformed into unique loft apartments featuring both upstairs and downstairs living spaces—a glimpse into the distinctive floor plans this development offers. Completion is still tracking for late summer/ early fall.

3/25/2025: Exterior siding, interior insulation, drywall all underway at the Early Childcare Development Center. Operator discussions continue. Construction completion is aimed at summer 2025, with Operator receiving keys to begin equipping the center for operations. Operations will commence only after DCFS and Fire Marshall approves center to open.

3/11/2025: Early Childcare Development Center- Interior framing is complete, with HVAC, plumbing, and electrical work nearing completion and drywall going up. Exterior siding is expected to begin the mid-March 2025. Completion is on track for July, pending favorable weather conditions. A licensed operator will hire and begin operations with more information on that forthcoming.

1/30/2025: Early Childcare Development Center- Interior framing is complete, with HVAC, plumbing, and electrical work underway. Exterior windows are set for installation by February 5, 2025. Completion is on track for mid-summer, pending favorable weather conditions.

1/22/2025: Construction is over 50% complete. At Dezendorf, drywall installation is underway alongside patio doors, with new windows installed throughout. At McKee/Hostetter, insulation is being added to the top floors, restored windows are being reinstalled in their original locations, and framing work continues.

12/13/2024: The construction of the Early Childhood Development Center is making great strides, with trusses up and sheeting going up on the framing now moving ahead.

11/26/2024: Trusses are now being installed at the Early Childhood Development Center showcasing the footprint of this new construction effort. Opening in 2025, this project is more than construction—it’s about workforce development and creating a true live-work, mixed-use campus that helps to build stronger families and a stronger community for years to come.

11/18/2024: . The walls are up, and trusses are next at the Early Childhood Development Center, where jobs will soon be created and families will have access to quality, convenient childcare. Schedule is on target for a summer 2025 completion.

10/24/2024: Construction is progressing smoothly on the Early Childcare Development Center. This week, site work, grading, and foundation excavation will be completed, along with preparation of the building pad and parking area. Next week, underground mechanical, electrical, and plumbing installations will begin, followed by foundation wall pours. In the coming weeks, we’ll see walls go up and trusses installed. We've been fortunate with favorable weather and hope it continues to keep construction moving forward before winter sets in.

6/8/2024: Interior photos showcasing the ongoing revitalization of Dezendorf Hall. These buildings, along with McKee and Hostetter Halls, will offer a total of 51 rental apartments, including studios, and 1, 2, and 3-bedroom units. Construction is underway, with anticipated move-in dates in 2025. A preliminary waitlist is open, and interested individuals are encouraged to submit their information.

5/20/2024: Interior photos showcasing the ongoing revitalization of McKee and Hostetter Halls. These buildings, along with Dezendorf Hall, will offer a total of 51 rental apartments, including studios, and 1, 2, and 3-bedroom units. Construction is underway, with anticipated move-in dates in 2025. A preliminary waitlist is open, and interested individuals are encouraged to submit their information.

4/16/2024: New sidewalks and parking lot in front of the Sawyer House, soon to be Resource Center, made possible by GROWTH's Rebuild Illinois grant. This center will offer essential services like property management assistance for residents living at Shimer Square, provide HUD-approved housing counseling and financial literacy by HUD-certified housing counselors. Economic Growth Corporation has served as a HUD-approved housing counseling agency since 2003.The Resource Center will also have dedicated co-work spaces for working parents with children at the Early Childhood Development Center, and providing crucial lending support for start-ups and small businesses through Bridge Investment Community Development Corporation, a certified CDFI. Due to active construction, the Resource Center will formally open to the public in 2025 when the apartments are nearing completion.

4/1/2024:The abatement process has been completed, indicating the start of demolition work inside Dezendorf Hall as of April 1, 2024. This signifies a notable advancement in the building's redevelopment. Crews will proceed with demolishing interior, non-historic walls and salvaging materials for re-use whenever feasible. The demolition is part of the $33.4 million rehabilitation and redevelopment of the McKee/Hostetter and Dezendorf Halls.