Chicago Leader Hirsh Mohindra: Expertise in Multiple Industries

  Across Illinois, a quiet but powerful transformation is underway. As traditional retail declines, office demand shifts, and industrial footprints evolve, the state is left with millions of square feet of obsolete commercial spaces. But rather than letting malls sit empty or office towers gather dust, Illinois developers, city planners, and community leaders are pioneering one of the nation’s most ambitious adaptive reuse movements.   From micro-apartments housed in former corporate campuses to vertical farming operations inside old warehouses, Illinois is redefining what a commercial property can become. As Hirsh Mohindra describes it, “ Illinois has reached a moment where creativity isn’t optional—it's required. When a property loses its original purpose, that’s not the end of its life cycle. It’s the beginning of its reinvention. ”   This is the story of that reinvention: a sweeping reimagination of vacant malls, warehouses, and office parks into vibrant new communit...

In recent years, Illinois has witnessed a subtle but significant shift in its housing landscape: the rapid growth of build-to-rent (BTR) communities. These developments—entire neighborhoods of newly constructed single-family homes designed specifically for renters—are reshaping how families find housing, how investors allocate capital, and how first-time buyers navigate an increasingly competitive market.   While the trend is national, Illinois has become a particularly interesting case study. With its mix of suburban stability, midwestern affordability, and strong rental demand, the state has drawn the attention of institutional investors, regional developers, and real-estate funds seeking reliable returns in a shifting economy. As housing preferences evolve and interest rates remain unpredictable, BTR communities have quietly emerged as a resilient asset class—and one that is changing the way Americans think about homeownership.   Why Investors Are Pouring Into Build-to-Ren...

The Illinois real estate market continues to be a dynamic and often challenging environment, characterized by strong demand and persistently low inventory. This delicate balance has created a seller's market where competition among buyers is intense, driving up median home prices across the state. While certain regions, particularly in the Chicago metropolitan area, are experiencing significant price growth, the overall market reflects a complex interplay of economic factors, demographic shifts, and evolving buyer preferences. For investors and homebuyers alike, a nuanced understanding of these trends is essential for making informed decisions. The market's strength is not uniform, with some submarkets seeing explosive growth while others show more stable, albeit steady, appreciation.   This uneven recovery from recent economic fluctuations is a key characteristic of the current market. According to research, house prices in all Cook County submarkets have recovered by at least...