Tower breaking ground

JOLIET -- LA Fitness has begun building the first business that will go into the Tower Marketplace of Joliet.

Originally called Bronk's Corners, the development at Illinois 59 and Theodore Street has been anticipated for months because of its advanced billing.

Tower Marketplace is designed to be a unique gathering place with upscale stores and restaurants.

Announcement of tenants has been slow, but developer Ardmin Properties believes the commencement of construction will help draw more business.

"We're really excited about LA Fitness breaking ground," said Shawn Adams, vice president of marketing and leasing for Ardmin. "The first one is always the hardest."

LA Fitness broke ground on its future fitness club in April, Adams said. But Ardmin held off from a ground-breaking ceremony, hoping to have one in the near future when another tenant or two can be announced, he said.

One previously announced tenant, Amcore Bank, has dropped out. Another potential tenant, KinderCare Learning Center, is still on track, Adams said.

KinderCare, Amcore and LA Fitness have been the three tenants named for the project, which was first announced with some fanfare in October 2005. Ardmin proposed the project as an upscale shopping center that would create a gathering place with unique stores and restaurants that haven't been in the Joliet market before.

LA Fitness, an upscale fitness club, does fit the mold for the developer's plan, Adams said. The California-based fitness company also has locations in Bolingbrook and Tinley Park and is expanding its presence in the Chicago market. But this would be its first club in the immediate Joliet area.

Adams acknowledged that the downturn in the economy has made it tougher to convince retailers to build new stores. But the Tower Marketplace does have some advantages in a location with a ready-built market, he said.

"The rooftops are there," he said. "That's what's appealing to retailers."

Tower Marketplace also is trying to attract retailers at a time when there are three major shopping center projects in the works in Joliet.

Bridge Street Town Centre, a 314-acre lifestyle center, is being mapped out for at Interstates 55 and 80. Meanwhile, Westfield Louis Joliet has announced plans to add an outdoor shopping and restaurant feature to the mall. And, two retail projects, Millenium Square and The Boulevard, are planned near the Louis Joliet mall.