The Domaine at Hawthorn Row Celebrates Grand Opening of Luxury Residential Community

Modern Residences and Premium Retail Space Transform Destination into a Vibrant Community Hub.

Vernon Hills, IL (October 19, 2023) - At the heart of the reimagined Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills stands the Domaine at Hawthorn Row, a visionary mixed-use development that has transformed the 50-year-old shopping center into a dynamic community where people can live, work, and play. Here, residents will come together to socialize, shop at an impressive selection of well-known retailers, enjoy meals, and engage in an array of events and activities, creating an unparalleled sense of vibrancy and connectivity. As Hawthorn celebrates its remarkable 50-year legacy this year, the Domaine at Hawthorn Row recently marked a significant milestone of its own with a grand opening celebration and ribbon-cutting.

Poised as the residential epicenter of Vernon Hills' bustling retail corridor, the Domaine, a collaborative endeavor by Focus, Affinius Capital, Atlantic Residential, and Centennial, is set to revolutionize modern community living. The project features 311 luxury rental apartments and an impressive 54,000 square feet of premium retail space. With its unmatched blend of luxury and convenience, the Domaine stands as a testament to a new era of sophisticated experiences in Vernon Hills.

On October 19th, a grand opening celebration was attended by representatives of Focus, Affinius Capital, Atlantic Residential, Centennial, the Village of Vernon Hills, and other esteemed guests. The event commenced with a ribbon-cutting ceremony signifying the continuation of an exceptional journey of reimagining the traditional shopping center into a vibrant mixed-use destination.

“Hawthorn Mall has always been a driving economic force for the entire region,” noted Village President Roger Byrne. "The Village of Vernon Hills is pleased to be able to support the transformation of Hawthorn Mall, ensuring that it continues to have a positive impact on our community.”

Following the grand opening ceremony, guests were provided with guided tours of the property offering a firsthand look at the impressive community. Attendees enjoyed refreshments, appetizers, and live entertainment in the Domaine’s innovative amenity space.

"Today marks a significant milestone in our commitment to create a remarkable community that blends the best of suburban living with urban conveniences," said Tim Anderson, CEO of Focus. "The Domaine at Hawthorn Row is a testament to our vision of providing best-in-class amenities in a walkable environment, offering residents a community-centric way of living, right here in newly reimagined Hawthorn. This project is a golden example of what is possible when public-private partnerships go right and we are thrilled to play a role in elevating this vital community center with the Village of Vernon Hills.”

Richard Aaronson, CEO of Atlantic Residential, added, "We are thrilled to be part of this project that not only brings luxury rental apartments, but also enriches the Vernon Hills community. The Domaine at Hawthorn Row sets new standards for suburban rental communities, offering modern units that cater to the needs and preferences of today’s renter."

The mixed-use development at Hawthorn Row introduces an exceptional urban environment, elevating the conventional shopping center experience. The community also features a superior amenity package for residents, including a double-height lounge, private dining room with parlor, game room, two-story gym, pet spa, and outdoor terrace with swimming pool, sundeck, and grilling stations.

“We love living at the Domaine,” said resident, Steve Colen. “The building is just beautiful with all the luxury touches one could ever ask for. The workspaces, gym, game room and resort style pool, make you wonder, ‘When is checkout time?’ The location is perfect. There are five grocery stores within walking distance and many restaurants, stores, and services right here.”

Emphasizing the significance of the project's grand opening, Jeff Rutzen, Hawthorn’s general manager, said, "For 50 years, Hawthorn has held a special place in the hearts of Vernon Hills residents and visitors. As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we are not only taking a look back at what Hawthorn has meant to the community, but we are incredibly excited about the next chapter in its development, and we are honored to be working alongside Focus, Atlantic Residential, and the Village of Vernon Hills to transform this iconic shopping center into a dynamic mixed-use destination that will benefit residents and guests for generations to come."

The Domaine at Hawthorn Row offers an array of upscale amenities from 600-square-foot studio apartments to 1,330-square-foot three-bedroom residences. Apartment interiors are thoughtfully designed with 9-foot ceilings, plank-style flooring, quartz countertops, tile backsplashes, and in-unit washers and dryers. In response to the changing trends in remote working, most units feature a dedicated work-from-home area with a built-in desk.

Leasing for the Domaine, which began in March, has been exceptionally successful, with nearly 40% of units leased and 30% occupied. Prospective residents have been drawn to the community by the luxurious units, outstanding amenities, and the ongoing redevelopment at Hawthorn.

For more information about the Domaine at Hawthorn Row, please visit: www.domaineapartments.com.

About Focus

Focus exists at the intersection of development and construction. For 30 years, their teams have worked diligently to exceed expectations and transform communities. As a vertically integrated development and construction company, Focus is responsible for distinctive developments that value over $2.4 billion. These projects range from smaller, multifamily communities in historic districts to high-density, mixed-use redevelopments in thriving downtowns. For more information, visit workwthfocus.com

About Affinius Capital

Affinius Capital® (previously known as USAA Real Estate and Square Mile Capital Management) is an integrated institutional real estate investment firm focused on value-creation and income generation. With a 40-year track record and $33 billion in net assets under management, Affinius has a diversified portfolio across North America and Europe providing both equity and credit to its trusted partners and on behalf of its institutional clients globally. For more information, visit affiniuscapital.com

About Atlantic Residential

Atlantic Residential is a private commercial real estate firm based in Atlanta with regional offices in Chicago and Ft Lauderdale. The firm was formed by Richard & Andrew Aaronson in 1995 to develop residential and mixed-use projects. Since its inception, the firm has been responsible for the construction of $3 billion of institutional quality properties totaling over 10,000 residential units. The firm focuses on developing luxury apartment communities and for-sale condominiums and townhouses. For more information, visit www.AtlanticResi.com

About Centennial

Centennial is a retail real estate owner and operator with a national portfolio of shopping, dining, entertainment, and mixed-use destinations as well as a full-service property management platform serving third-party owners. With over 300 employees nationwide, the firm now operates 24.5 million square feet of mixed-use destinations in 15 states. Since 1997, Centennial has played a pivotal role in shaping the evolution of American retail by creating a superior multi-faceted shopping experience with properties that serve not only as a place of commerce, but as a place of community. For more information, visit CentennialREC.com

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For media inquiries, please contact Jordan Hathaway at jhathaway@kivvit.com or 402-415-8023.