The ecommerce giant Amazon, which has expanded its footprint in the Chicago area exponentially over the last few years, has unveiled plans for its biggest deal yet.
According to the Chicago Tribune, Amazon is looking to purchase the 70-acre Central Steel & Wire plant in Chicago’s Gage Park neighborhood. The site, located at 3000 W. 51st Street, is expected to become another major piece in the company’s “last mile” delivery strategy.
While plans are still uncertain — and the deal could potentially still fall through — an Amazon rep tells the Tribune’s Ryan Ori that the company has invested over $8 billion in Illinois and led to the creation of 36,000 jobs.
The company current has a large presence throughout the Greater Chicago metro area, with fulfillment and distribution hubs in places such as Aurora, Crest Hill, Edwardsville, Elgin, Joliet, Minooka, Monee, Morton Grove, Mundelein, Romeoville, Skokie, Waukegan, Wood Dale and Chicago’s Pullman neighborhood. Another two facilities — one in Markham and another for Matteson — are expected to open later this year.
Additionally, Whole Foods, which is owned by Amazon, opened a 140,000-square-foot distribution hub in Pullman in 2018.
