Algonquin Commons, Algonquin, Illinois. (2004─)

Algonquin Commons is an outdoor shopping mall in Algonquin, Illinois, a northwest suburb of Chicago. It was built in 2004 and is the largest outdoor mall in Illinois. The mall has over 80 stores, including JCPenney, Barnes & Noble, and Best Buy. There are also several restaurants and a movie theater at the mall.

The history of Algonquin Commons can be traced back to the early 1990s when the village of Algonquin began to develop the area along Randall Road. In 1993, the first development phase was completed, which included the construction of a new library, a fire station, and several retail stores.

In 1999, the village approved plans for the construction of Algonquin Commons. The mall was built by Jeffrey R. Anderson, the same developer who built the Geneva Commons, which is located in Geneva, Illinois. In 2002, the village approved a development plan for the Algonquin Commons. Construction began the following year. 

The mall opened in 2004 and was an immediate success.

In 2013, the Algonquin Commons was foreclosed on by U.S. Bank after the previous owner, Inland Properties, defaulted on its loans. The mall was then purchased by McKinley, a real estate investment trust. McKinley has since invested millions of dollars in the mall, including a major renovation in 2017.

Algonquin Commons is also popular for events and festivals, such as the annual Algonquin Commons Summer Concert Series.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.