A Chicago-based real estate development company specializing in mixed-use retail developments purchased 191 acres on Main Street in Lake Geneva, the former home of the Hillmoor Golf Course.
11 East Partners LLC purchased the property at 333 E. Main St. from Lake Geneva Properties LLC for an undisclosed price. The land has been in foreclosure for several years, with the majority of the property owned by the Bank of France.
The future of the site is still unknown. Developers have had preliminary discussions with the City of Lake Geneva and are considering holding a public meeting to see what residents want, said Ken Robers, Lake Geneva building and zoning administrator.
“Some residents still want a golf course; I won’t make any comments on that,” Robers said.
According to the 11 East Partners website, the company specializes in the development, acquisition and operation of retail and mixed-use properties nationwide. Projects include The Streets of Woodfield, an open-air suburban Chicago lifestyle center, and Block 37, a five-story shopping, dining and entertainment center in downtown Chicago.
Paul Fitzpatrick of 11 East Partners could not immediately be reached for comment.
The former Hillmoor Golf Course property is located one-half mile east of downtown Lake Geneva. The White River cuts through the property and it is bordered by a city park and commercial development on the north side at Highway 50.
The golf course opened in 1924 and was in existence until about seven years ago. In 2009, the city council voted to terminate its lease with Hillmoor Golf Course, taking possession of its share of the course. Hillmoor went to a sheriff’s sale.
In 2015, Illinois developer Michael Ford of Tempo Development Inc. came forward with a plan for the property that included creating a 40-acre man-made lake and a residential-commercial development.
Tempo Development never purchased the land and the proposal fell through.
Before 11 East Partners can make any changes to the property, the land will have to be rezoned, which could be controversial, Robers said.
Hillmoor Golf Course was designed by James Foulis, one of the 11 players to take part in the first U.S. Open in 1896.
