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- 👀 Big News in Naperville You Haven’t Heard & More!
👀 Big News in Naperville You Haven’t Heard & More!
Stay updated on Chicagoland's local trends, developments, and market insights.
Brandon Blankenship
December 19, 2025
Happy Friday!
Naperville is getting a major glow-up. Hines just broke ground on a 306-unit apartment project that’s bringing the suburb its first-ever LEED-certified housing. Built on the site of a demolished office building, it’ll mix retail, rentals, and rooftop amenities, all just steps from major highways and shopping. 🏡
☁️ Today’s weather:
Cloudy with a high of 33°F. Just 10% chance of precipitation, 47% humidity, and winds blowing at 14 mph. A gray Friday—perfect for staying in and watching today’s video.
📺 I’ve Lived in Chicago My WHOLE Life… My Honest Thoughts: In this week’s video, I open up about what it’s really like to live here: good, bad, and everything in between.
🍴 Check out The Foodie’s Guide for this week’s best eats, and scroll down for WHAT'S HAPPENIN' IN THE 'BURBS? — your weekend events roundup.
Let’s dive in!
—Brandon Blankenship, Founder of Living Chicago Suburbs / Realtor with Keller Williams Premiere Properties
Events
💭 WHAT'S HAPPENIN' IN THE 'BURBS?
This Weekend Events…
Naper Lights
Enjoy a free, dazzling display of holiday lights and synchronized sound as you stroll through Water Street, Foyo Plaza, Jaycees Park, and the Riverwalk in Downtown Naperville. Don’t forget to pick up free 3D viewing glasses at the event.
📍 Location: Water St., Naperville
🗓️ Date & Time: Dec 19 | 4 PM to 10 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Free
🔗 More Info
Chicago Sinfonietta – Holidays of Hope
Light up your holiday with a family friendly concert led by guest conductor Kedrick Armstrong. Enjoy fresh takes on seasonal classics, from Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite to festive favorites like Sleigh Ride, plus an annual audience sing along with build your own luminaria.
📍 Location: 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville
🗓️ Date & Time: Dec 19 | 7 PM
🎟️ Tickets: $45 – $65
🔗 More Info
Holly Jolly Days
Celebrate the season at Naper Settlement with holiday crafts, stories, and hands on experiences. Roast chestnuts over an open fire, learn about reindeer shoes at the forge, enjoy Christmas stories in the one room schoolhouse, and snap a family photo at the Victorian Christmas photo stop.
📍 Location: 523 S. Webster St., Naperville
🗓️ Date & Time: Dec 21 | 1 PM to 6 PM
🎟️ Tickets: $6 per person, free for children under 4
🔗 More Info
Naperville Trolley Holiday Lights Tour – Northern Route
Hop on the Naperville Trolley for a festive tour of the city’s best holiday light displays. Advance reservations are required and each guest, including lap infants, needs a ticket.
📍 Location: 1566 W. Ogden Ave., Naperville
🗓️ Date & Time: Dec 20 | 6:30 PM
🎟️ Tickets: $34.50
🔗 More Info
Naperville Trolley Holiday Lights Tour – Southern Route
Enjoy a family friendly trolley ride through Naperville’s brightest holiday light displays. Reservations are required and non refundable. Arrive early as the trolley departs promptly.
📍 Location: 2835 Showplace Drive, Naperville
🗓️ Date & Time: Dec 21 | 6:30 PM
🎟️ Tickets: $34.50
🔗 More Info
Nothing in this section is sponsored, I will let you know when it's sponsored
Free Home Buying Seminar This January
Learn how to buy a home in Chicagoland in a relaxed, easy way.
Jesse Furrow and I are hosting a free home-buying seminar on January 10 at Ko-Ze Wine Room in Glen Ellyn. You’ll get practical tips, market updates, and answers to your questions. Coffee and bagels are on them. A great chance to learn, meet people, and feel confident about your next move.
News
🏡 $66M Boost Brings LEED-Certified Living to the Suburbs
Driving the news: Hines has officially broken ground on a 306-unit multifamily project in Naperville, Illinois.
Backed by a $66.1 million construction loan from PNC Bank and capital from Hines' U.S. Direct Investments program, the development repurposes the site of a former 100,000-square-foot office building at 1200 Diehl Road.
Details:
The five-story complex will offer studios to three-bedroom apartments.
Includes 15,000 square feet of ground-floor retail and 652 parking spaces.
Amenities: coworking spaces, pool, gym, clubroom, and a golf simulator.
Located 30 miles west of downtown Chicago, near I-88, Route 34, and within walking distance of 800,000+ square feet of retail.
Why it matters: This marks Naperville’s first-ever LEED-certified multifamily community, bringing sustainable design to one of the region’s most sought-after suburbs.
For locals, it means more housing options, more walkable retail, and a more environmentally conscious approach to development.
The big picture: Hines isn’t slowing down. This project joins a string of new developments across the country, including a 721-unit build in San Diego and a 365-unit site in Virginia’s Potomac Shores community.
The firm is actively expanding its residential footprint coast-to-coast.
The bottom line: Hines’ Naperville project adds much-needed, amenity-rich housing to a tight suburban rental market, while pushing green building standards forward in the region.
🎉JOIN THE FUN ON INSTAGRAM 🎉
Find us on Instagram @LivingChicagoSuburbs where 90,000+ people love the content! ⤵️
🍔 The Foodie's Guide
BREAKFAST
Egg'lectic Café (Wheaton)Egg’lectic Café has been serving Wheaton since 1999 with freshly prepared breakfast and lunch in a cozy, welcoming setting. Known for classic home cookin’ and a strong sense of community, it remains a local favorite in the heart of downtown Wheaton. |
LUNCH
Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse (Lombard)This high-energy restaurant honors Chicago icon Harry Caray with a warm, entertaining atmosphere. Known for USDA prime aged steaks, classic Italian dishes, and top-tier service, it’s also a favorite spot to watch major sporting events at the lively bar. |
DINNER
Thipi Thai Restaurant (Glen Ellyn)This restaurant highlights authentic Thai cuisine with fresh ingredients and bold, balanced flavors. Each dish showcases careful attention to aroma, texture, and presentation. Inspired by a globally celebrated culinary tradition, it delivers the complex, savory tastes that make Thai food loved worldwide. |
Watch This
🎥 I’ve Lived in Chicago My WHOLE Life… My Honest Thoughts
📦 Moving to the Chicago Suburbs or thinking about buying or selling a home?
We’d love to help!
Just send us an email at [email protected] or fill out the form here!: https://livinginchicagosuburbs.com/contact/
Market
📊 Real Estate Insights
The real estate market in the Chicago suburbs (especially Naperville, Elmhurst, Wheaton, and Glen Ellyn) remains active and competitive. Whether you're planning to buy or sell, having the right local expert makes all the difference.
Thinking of selling? I’ll craft a strategic marketing plan and help you price your home to attract serious buyers and get the best return.
Ready to buy? With today’s interest rates and available inventory, now could be the perfect time to make your move. I’ll help you find the right home and navigate every step of the process with confidence.
🗞️ In Other News…
🏠 Are you thinking of buying, selling, or investing in the Chicago Suburbs? We’d love to be your Real Estate Resource of Choice. Get started here!
Until next Friday, take care and stay curious!
—Brandon
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 | Brandon Blankenship Real Estate Broker The #1 Solo Agent with Keller Williams Premiere Properties call or text @ 630.923.9535 |