The Duchossois Group leaving Elmhurst for Chicago, Oak Brook
The Duchossois Group, run by the family that formerly owned Arlington International Racecourse, is planning to move all its operations out of Elmhurst within the next couple of months.
The privately held Duchossois Group, composed of operating companies and investments valued at more than $3 billion, is moving its headquarters from 45 N. Larch Ave. in Elmhurst to downtown Chicago. The Chamberlain Group, one of its related companies that operated at the same Elmhurst location, has recently left for Oak Brook.
The Duchossois Group is the parent of several companies, such as Chamberlain that provides garage door openers and other companies that do residential and commercial security and lighting, automation and digital media. Duchossois has more than 5,000 employees worldwide with operations in about 30 countries. Spokeswoman Emily Davis could not immediately provide details on how many employees will move to offices in Chicago.
As for Chamberlain, it already moved its 500 employees to a newly constructed headquarters at 300 Windsor Drive in Oak Brook.
Chamberlain moved Feb. 20, nearly three years after four buildings were purchased on the Oak Brook property and then demolished to make way for one larger office.
"The buildings that were formerly on the property were replaced by a state-of-the-art building with world-class amenities," Davis said. "Our employees were actively involved in building the requirements for the new space, including a desire for openness and light, collaboration spaces, sustainability, wellness and a flexible work environment."
Duchossois Real Estate LLC, a division of The Duchossois Group, acquired the four buildings in April 2014.
Three buildings on Windsor Road were purchased for about $10.2 million. The former Follett building on Swift Road had a $7.7 million price tag. Follett, a college bookstore and an online educational firm, moved to Westchester.
Davis declined to say how much was invested in the new construction and build-out of the amenities.
Designed to promote natural sunlight and minimize energy use, the new building is being considered for LEED certification, meaning it is more efficient and uses less water and energy.
Chamberlain employees also have access to a wellness and fitness center and outdoor walking path.
"The new (Oak Brook) headquarters is an investment in our people as well as our company," Craig Duchossois, CEO of The Duchossois Group, said in statement. "We want to provide our people with an open and collaborative environment with all of the amenities that best-in-class work spaces have."