The developer renovating a dilapidated downtown Elgin building at 61-65 S. Grove Ave. says the project is ahead of schedule and should be done by next summer.
“We are optimistic that we will reach the approximately 50% completion milestone this fall and complete the overall project by summer 2027,” said Kevin Echevarria, who also manages Dream Hall in downtown Elgin.
South Grove Holdings LLC, a family-owned company managed by Echevarria’s wife, Yesenia Echevarria, bought the building from Cuming Holdings in September 2025 for just under $1 million. Shortly after the purchase, South Grove Holdings commissioned about $740,000 in stabilization work.
“All of the roof collapsed before our purchase,” Echevarria said. “We were fully aware of the building’s condition, which is why we moved quickly to stabilize the structure immediately after the closing.
“Unfortunately, attempting to brace those sections from inside the building was considered too dangerous and was not the ideal long-term solution headed into the winter. So we chose to demolish the unstable roof structures before another collapse or additional damage could occur.”
In February, the Elgin City Council agreed to provide $1.7 million in Central Area Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district funding to help pay for the project. All told, Echevarria expects the project will cost about $5.1 million.
“We are ahead of schedule largely because we did a ton of due diligence during the purchase negotiations — and Elgin acted quickly during the permit review process and helped move the project forward efficiently,” Echevarria said. “The city recognized the importance of addressing both the building’s safety and the safety of the surrounding public area.”
The company in June received a primary building permit for moving ahead with the renovations and construction as shown in city-approved architectural and engineering plans. The work includes structural construction, plumbing, electrical, fire sprinklers, fire alarms, elevator work, windows and other improvements. Individual contractors will obtain trade-specific permits and inspections for their portions of the project, he said.
“Redevelopment is well underway and nearing a building rough inspection,” city communications manager Josie Beecher-Crotty said. “After the inspection, steel beams are expected to arrive for placement within two to three weeks.”
Echevarria said the plan is to preserve the building’s historic components and character. However, the project didn’t qualify for historic tax credits under its current design, which includes a second floor with six apartments and a first floor with infrastructure to accommodate up to four restaurants. Basement plans include a meeting room, a shared commissary kitchen, tenant fitness room, common restrooms and tenant storage areas.
“We are from Elgin and have always viewed this community as a place where we want to remain invested,” he said. “This project gives us an opportunity to preserve an important downtown building, bring it back into productive use and continue investing in the community.”
Jennifer Fukala, executive director of the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin, said the renovated building will have a significant impact on Spring and Grove avenues.
“Sidewalks will reopen to foot traffic after being fenced off for some time, and newly renovated storefront spaces in historic buildings are frequently the most popular with incoming businesses and the public,” Fukala said.
Adding more commercial space and apartments also will bring more people downtown to live, work and spend time, she said.
“Plus, without this building, the character of our downtown would change drastically, and lots like this are often difficult to rebuild on,” Fukala said. “Essentially, we would have a large hole in the middle of our downtown.”
Mike Danahey is a freelance reporter for The (Elgin) Courier-News.
