Cullinan re-brands big project under construction in Chicagoland

What was to be Rock Run Crossings has now become RockRun Collection.

Cullinan Properties' rebranding of its 310-acre mixed-use center now under construction in Joliet, Ill., comes seven months after the Illinois-based developer announced the signing of a significant anchor.

Penn Entertainment, owner of 43 racetracks and casinos in North America, has committed to a $185 million budget to build one of its Hollywood Casinos on the property—a development sure to swell traffic flowing to the site from Chicago, central Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana.

“Our feeling was that the development had evolved and needed to reflect more of the synergy we are cultivating with the possible tenant mix,” said Cullinan CEO Matthew Beverly.

“We also wanted to continue to focus on the aspect of providing an environment where visitors and local residents can come and spend a day or the weekend,” he noted. “Being close with the Joliet community and creating a place they are proud of is important and why we strive to collaborate with local municipalities.”

RockRun Collection will include 500,000 sq. ft. of retail and restaurants and 160,000 sq. ft. of entertainment along with office, hospitality, and multifamily. It will service a total trade area where numbers are expected to rise tremendously.

The population of Will County, of which Joliet is the county seat, is expected to grow more than 75% by 2040.

Cullinan has collaborated with the city of Joliet for eight years on the project, a relationship that resulted in the recent installation of an interchange that provides direct entry into RockRun from I-55.

“This site remains at the top of the list for so many retailers, restaurants, and entertainment users,” said Ann Smith, Cullinan’s senior VP of leasing and marketing. "Reimagining the branding of the site will help move the development forward in a fresh and new way.”

Penn Entertainment, which opened the Penn National Race Course in central Pennsylvania in 1972, went on to purchase the Hollywood Casinos Corp. in 2003. It’s since acquired Argosy Gaming and Pinnacle Entertainment and opened its first online casino in 2019.