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.

The former Stock Yards Bank building on South Halsted Street in Chicago on Nov. 18, 2024. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

City envisions transforming vacant South Side bank building into $80 million recording complex

December 4, 2024 at 9:17 a.m.

The 1925 building once stood at the heart of Chicago’s meatpacking industry, serving many employees of the Union Stock Yards.

Ragu maker moving to remodeled headquarters in Schaumburg

November 18, 2024 at 5:32 p.m.

Mizkan America, the maker of Ragu spaghetti sauce and other specialty foods, will soon move its headquarters to northwest suburban Schaumburg.

Winnetka's Village Council approved the demolition of the J.P. Morgan Private Bank at the corner of Green Bay Road and Elm Street and its replacement with a new three-story combined retail branch and office, pictured in this rendering. (JPMorganChase)

Winnetka green lights new bank building for its central business district

November 14, 2024 at 10:47 a.m.

The Village Council approved on Tuesday the demolition of the J.P. Morgan Private Bank at the corner of Green Bay Road and Elm Street and its replacement with a new...

The largest project so far in the LaSalle Street Reimagined program inched closer to reality Tuesday when the Community Development Commission recommended that the City Council approve the project. (SCB)

City commission approves $98 million in TIF funds for massive LaSalle Street renovation

November 13, 2024 at 1:04 p.m.

Redevelopment of the landmark Field Building would be the largest project so far in the LaSalle Street Reimagined program.

The former Michael Reese Hospital site, between a truck marshaling yard and Prairie Shores apartments, on April 26, 2023. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago Bears reconsidering Michael Reese Hospital site with lakefront stadium proposal stalled

November 12, 2024 at 5:42 p.m.

The Chicago Bears are reconsidering the former Michael Reese Hospital site as a potential location for a new stadium, a source said, but the team remains focused on the lakefront.

A material handler moves salt from a barge into a semi-trailer truck along the Calumet River on the 144-acre Invert property in Chicago on Sept. 12, 2024. Invert has plans to build a 6 million-square-foot underground storage facility on the property. It currently leases out the above-ground area to Calumet Transload Railroad and other businesses. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Economic opportunity or environmental burden? Massive real estate project proposed for Southeast Side ignites debate

November 8, 2024 at 11:40 a.m.

A development group backed by the Ozinga family wants to burrow several hundred feet beneath a contaminated former steel mill site and create a six million-square-foot underground storage facility called...

Google plans to transform the 17-story atrium inside the James R. Thompson Center into a comfortable public space open to Loop office workers and other visitors, according to renderings released by the internet giant. (Google/Pixelflakes)

Redeveloped Thompson Center will offer public gathering spaces, new renderings released by Google show

November 1, 2024 at 4:59 p.m.

Reconstruction of the 1.2 million-square-foot structure began last spring, and the company plans to move into the building in 2026.

The Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park will be built at the former U.S. Steel South Works site, pictured on July 25, 2024. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

University of Illinois cancels plans for downtown research hub, shifting to former South Works site and delivering a stunning blow to The 78 development

October 18, 2024 at 6:53 p.m.

University leaders say they will now establish most of DPI’s research and lab space at the former U.S. Steel South Works plant, the planned location of the new Illinois Quantum...

An office build at 500 N. Michigan Ave. on Oct. 16, 2024. Commonwealth Development Partners wants to convert the 24-story building to residential units. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago Plan Commission OKs transformation of Magnificent Mile office tower into residences

October 17, 2024 at 6:15 p.m.

Commonwealth Development Partners wants to gut the interior of 500 N. Michigan Ave., a 24-story building, and replace its office space with up to 324 apartments, including 64 affordable units.

A woman runs past 676 N. Michigan Ave. in Chicago on Oct. 3, 2024. Warner Bros. signed a deal on several levels at the building and plans to open an interactive exhibit dedicated to Harry Potter. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

New Harry Potter exhibit, along with Spanish clothing retailer Mango, could work a little magic on the Mag Mile

October 4, 2024 at 11:45 a.m.

It won’t be the first time on the Mile for either Harry Potter or Mango. Water Tower Place hosted a Harry Potter pop-up attraction in 2022 and 2023, while the...

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