Brian J. Rogal

Brian J. Rogal is a lifelong Chicagoan if you count a childhood spent in the suburbs. The Bucktown resident is a graduate of DePaul University and then spent several years as an investigative reporter with The Chicago Reporter, mostly writing about the CHA’s transformation. He has covered commercial real estate full-time since 2013.

A rendering shows the proposed changes to The Shops at North Bridge on Michigan Avenue. (ParkFowler Plus)

Shops at North Bridge to get $40M makeover as retail outlook brightens on the Mag Mile

August 6, 2026 at 5:01 p.m.

The owner of The Shops at North Bridge will pour $40 million into a dramatic renovation of the complex, giving the Magnifient Mile another jolt of energy.

A coil of tubing rests next to a drill rig used to make wells that will descend more than 800 feet into the ground for geothermal energy used in a high-rise residential tower under construction at 410 N. Elizabeth St. on July 29, 2026. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Fulton Market high-rise powered by geothermal could set new standard for development

August 6, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

One of Chicago’s first all-electric, geothermal-powered residential high-rises is taking shape in Fulton Market.

Ald. Bill Conway, 34th, left, and Ald. Brendan Reilly, 42nd, talk during a City Council Finance Committee meeting at City Hall, July 13, 2026. Reilly praised the overall plan, but said it’s been a struggle over the past few days to get details from the Department of Planning and Development. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Key City Council committee green-lights $424 million in public funding for Chicago Fire stadium site

July 13, 2026 at 7:05 p.m.

A City Council committee voted Monday to use $424 million in property taxes to help build new infrastructure around the Chicago Fire’s downtown soccer stadium site.

John Altstadt stands in a cornfield across the street from his neighborhood in Hoffman Estates on July 1, 2026. The cornfield is part of the 186-acre Plum Farms property where a data center has been proposed, though the developer recently withdrew his request. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Data center developer reverses course in Hoffman Estates, days before vote on controversial plan

July 6, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Just days before the Hoffman Estates Village Board was set to vote on a controversial plan to rezone a patch of farmland for possible use as a data center, the...

A shopper exits a JCPenney store with "store closing" signs at Ford City Mall in Chicago on June 19, 2026. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Ford City Mall’s main building shutters for good on Monday, but the site’s future remains in limbo

June 21, 2026 at 5:07 p.m.

The vast indoor mall had a six-decade run as a top retail destination and gathering place for the Southwest Side’s West Lawn community, but a growing number of empty stores...

One of Chicago's largest law firms is ready to occupy more than half of a proposed West Loop tower, pictured here in a rendering, at 725 W. Randolph St. (Related Midwest & KPF)

Deal with law firm likely to kick off construction of downtown Chicago’s first new office skyscraper in years

June 16, 2026 at 6:07 p.m.

One of Chicago's largest law firms is ready to occupy more than half of a proposed West Loop tower, a deal likely to kick off construction of the first new...

Northwestern is planning a 23-story building in Streeterville where the hospital will care for cancer patients. Excavation of the site is expected to start later this year. (Northwestern Medicine)

Northwestern Hospital makes the case to Streeterville residents for a massive new cancer complex

June 11, 2026 at 4:13 p.m.

Northwestern plans to start excavating the site later this year, but still needs several state and city approvals before launching construction, most likely in 2027.

Renovation continues on Google’s future Midwest headquarters in the James R. Thompson Center on June 2, 2026, in Chicago’s Loop. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Google’s new Midwest headquarters in the Central Loop could usher in a wave of new development

June 11, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

When Google opens its new Midwest headquarters at the James R. Thompson Center late next year, brokers and developers say it could kick off a wave of redevelopment.

Foundry Park, the proposed mixed-use development that is replacing the original vision for the site — Sterling Bay's Lincoln Yards plan — along the North Branch of the Chicago River on June 9, 2026. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

City commissioners approve $202 million finance deal for Foundry Park megadevelopment

June 9, 2026 at 6:08 p.m.

The Community Development Commission approved on Tuesday developer JDL Development’s plan to finance the transformation of the northern half of the former Lincoln Yards site into Foundry Park, a mixed-use...

People play Pokémon on their devices in Grant Park during Pokémon Go Fest, which drew people from all over the country on June 5, 2026. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)

Summer tourist season looks strong for local hotels, even without Taylor Swift and Beyoncé

June 5, 2026 at 6:08 p.m.

Despite high gas prices and economic uncertainty, a densely packed calendar of events and concerts is expected to draw tourists to Chicago this summer.

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