What is being built at 1020 31st Street in Downers Grove? A developer has proposed converting the six-story office building at 1020 31st Street in Downers Grove into a 184-unit apartment complex. A public hearing on the proposal is scheduled for June 1, 2026.
The site is part of the Highland Oaks complex near the I-88 and Highland Avenue interchange, a corridor long known for office space rather than housing. That makes this proposal a meaningful signal about where Downers Grove development is heading. For homeowners in the area, it is worth understanding what is on the table before the June 1 hearing.
The Proposal in Brief
The 5.8-acre site currently holds two buildings and is zoned O-R for offices and research. According to the Village of Downers Grove and reporting from Patch, petitioners are seeking a planned use permit and a zoning map amendment to convert the six-story building's interior into multi-family residential use.
The plans go beyond just apartments. They include a fitness facility, co-working spaces, and communal lounge areas inside the building. The exterior would add dog parks, a deck, and sports courts.
What Changes on the Site
The redevelopment would reduce parking from 750 spaces to 612 in order to accommodate the new design and create additional green space. That is still well above the zoning minimum of 368 spaces, so parking capacity is not a constraint under the proposal.
Converting an existing office building rather than demolishing and rebuilding is a form of adaptive reuse. It keeps an established structure in service while shifting it toward a use the village has identified as a priority.
Why the Village Is Open to It
According to village documents, the development supports the goals of the Guiding DG Comprehensive Plan, the village's 20-year blueprint for growth. That plan, finalized as part of the broader Guiding DG initiative, prioritizes new housing and economic development opportunities across Downers Grove.
Office-to-residential conversion has become a common strategy in suburbs across the country as office demand has softened and housing demand has stayed strong. For Downers Grove, a project like this adds housing supply near a major employment and expressway corridor without expanding the village's developed footprint.
What It Means for the Surrounding Area
For nearby homeowners, large redevelopment proposals naturally raise questions about traffic, density, and long-term property values. The June 1 public hearing is the venue where those questions get raised and addressed, and it is open to residents who want to weigh in.
New rental housing in a community can affect the local market in different ways. It adds housing options for renters and can support nearby retail and services, while some homeowners watch closely for effects on traffic and neighborhood character. How a specific project affects your property depends heavily on proximity, the final approved design, and broader market conditions in the western suburbs.
If you own a home near the Highland Oaks site or anywhere in Downers Grove and want to understand how local development activity factors into your property's value, that is a conversation worth having with someone who tracks the market closely.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is being proposed at 1020 31st Street in Downers Grove? A developer has proposed converting the six-story office building at 1020 31st Street into a 184-unit apartment complex with a fitness facility, co-working space, dog parks, a deck, and sports courts. A public hearing is set for June 1, 2026.
When is the public hearing for the 31st Street apartment proposal? The public hearing is scheduled for June 1, 2026. It is the point in the approval process where the planned use permit and zoning map amendment are reviewed and where residents can provide input.
Does the project align with Downers Grove's plans? According to village documents, the proposal supports the Guiding DG Comprehensive Plan, which prioritizes new housing and economic development. The plan is the village's 20-year framework for guiding growth and development.
If you own a home in Downers Grove and want to understand how local development activity affects your property's value, call or text Rob Brannigan at 847.609.0570. Rob is a REALTOR® with @properties | Christie's International Real Estate and a lifelong Downers Grove resident who tracks the local market closely.
Additional Resources
Video: A Local's Guide to Living in Downers Grove
Written by Rob Brannigan (IL License #475.164040), RENE + SRS. Lifelong Downers Grove resident. Data-driven guidance for buyers and sellers in Downers Grove and surrounding communities.
