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.

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.

Australia-based Guzman y Gomez, a Mexican food fast-casual restaurant chain, expanded into the American market in 2020 when it opened its first location in Naperville. (HR Green Inc.)

Guzman y Gomez abruptly shuts its Naperville restaurant, seven others in Chicago area

May 22, 2026 at 9:11 p.m.

Australian restaurant chain Guzman y Gomez’s ended its American market venture by closing its Naperville store and seven others.

Exterior of the now-closed Guzman y Gomez, 1710 Sherman Ave. in Evanston, on May 22, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Australian burrito chain Guzman y Gomez abruptly shutters all Chicago-area locations

May 22, 2026 at 4:15 p.m.

Australian restaurant chain Guzman y Gomez’s attempt to build a burrito empire in the Chicago area came to an abrupt halt Friday when the company closed all eight locations, including...

A computer room inside Digital Realty’s CH1 data center building on May 21, 2026, in Elk Grove Village. The room contains customer servers in an environmentally controlled room. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Elk Grove Village mayor defends data centers at packed community hearing

May 21, 2026 at 6:11 p.m.

Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson delivered a sharp defense of data centers at a packed community meeting on Wednesday, responding to questions from residents worried that massive new facilities...

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