127th Street Industrial Site
127th Street, south Chicago, IL · Little Calumet River
Overview
A former steel coil plant on about 21 acres close to a 138 kV transmission line: 175,000 SF, 44 ft clear, rail into the building and overhead cranes. A fast-moving site with a defined power route: an on-site substation off the nearby line.
Key facts
- Land and building
- About 21 acres · 175,355 SFREPORTED
- Potential total power
- Estimated over 150 MW at 138 kV, from conversations with the utility (not confirmed in writing); a first phase under 50 MWREPORTED
- Time to first power
- About 2.5 to 4 years via an on-site 138 kV substation; transformers alone take about 2.5 yearsESTIMATE
- First power
- Existing service of about 4.5 MW or less on site today (two 2,500 kVA transformers); the utility cannot reserve itREPORTED
LandUp's view
Our view
This is a fast-moving site. Our recommendation is a cash purchase at about $8M, then an on-site 138 kV substation fed from the nearby transmission line. Plan for $15M to $35M and 2.5 to 4 years for that substation. ESTIMATE
Why it can work
A 138 kV line runs about 0.1 mi from the site and a 138 kV substation sits about 0.7 mi away. We have engaged the utility on the service path. REPORTED
What stands in the way
The utility told us existing feeder capacity has likely been absorbed and cannot be reserved. About 45 MW on distribution feeders would take 2+ years and new 34 kV lines. REPORTED
Power
- Existing service
- 8,000 A at 480 V of switchboard (about 6.6 MVA ceiling) behind two 2,500 kVA pad-mount transformers (5 MVA, about 4.5 MW)VERIFIEDNameplates and flyer, site visit Oct 15 2026
- Route to scale
- On-site 138 kV customer substation from the adjacent line, designed under 50 MW to avoid a larger load studyESTIMATE
- Utility conversations
- Our conversations with the utility point to over 150 MW being possible at 138 kV; written confirmation is pendingREPORTED
- Line capacity
- About 200 MW reported on the 138 kV line; whether that is rating or real headroom is unconfirmedREPORTED
- Utility feeders
- About 9 to 10 feeders (34 kV service) for 45 MW; nearest 34 kV substation about 4 mi; 2+ yearsREPORTED
Grid
- Nearest substation
- 138 kV substation about 0.7 mi; 138 kV line about 0.1 mi; 138/345 kV substation about 2.5 miESTIMATE
Gas
- Gas service
- 16,000 CFH meter with two regulators rated up to 60 psig inlet. Usage appeared low (vacant). Main pressure not confirmedVERIFIEDMeter and regulator nameplates, site visit Oct 15 2026
- Capacity for generation
- Meter size alone supports roughly 1.6 to 2.1 MW of generation if the utility delivers itESTIMATE
Fiber
- Fiber
- Two independent carriers' fiber handoffs seen at the buildingVERIFIEDEquipment seen at site visit Oct 15 2026
Building and land
- Size
- 175,355 SF on about 21.15 acres; about 1,000 ft long; built 1996REPORTED
- Clear height
- 44 ft over 129,750 SF; 35 ft over 45,605 SFREPORTED
- Floor
- 12 in concrete slabREPORTED
- Cranes
- Overhead rail cranes, up to 40-ton; count differs between sourcesCONFLICT
- Rail
- Two spurs; about 600 ft of rail inside the buildingREPORTED
- Doors
- 9 drive-in doors, 4 docksREPORTED
- Environmental
- Former steel coil processing; no Phase I seenUNKNOWN
Location
- Location
- 127th Street, south Chicago, on the Little Calumet River; homes to the west, forest preserve beyond the riverREPORTED
- Zoning
- M3-3 industrialVERIFIEDCity of Chicago zoning data
- Flood
- Building is in the minimal-hazard zone; 100-year zone within 0.25 mi at the river edgeVERIFIEDFEMA flood map, Oct 15 2026
What is and is not established
- Route to scale
- On-site 138 kV substation off the adjacent lineESTIMATE
- Utility capacity
- Written confirmation pendingUNKNOWN
- Environmental
- Phase I not yet seenUNKNOWN
VERIFIED: seen in a document or on site by LandUp. REPORTED: told to us by the utility, an owner or a broker; not yet seen in a document. ESTIMATE: our estimate. CONFLICT: sources disagree. UNKNOWN: not yet established. Nothing on this page is a utility commitment or a development approval.