McCaffery Interests Sets Community Meetings for Historic Mars Factory Redevelopment in Galewood

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Galewood · December 5, 2025

Galewood residents will soon have their first opportunity to directly engage with McCaffery Interests as the Chicago-based development firm launches community meetings for the historic Mars Wrigley factory redevelopment. The long-anticipated planning process for the 20-acre site will begin in early December, with multiple sessions scheduled to gather resident input.

McCaffery CEO Dan McCaffery confirmed his team will soon start extensive meetings with local stakeholders, describing the process as a "dating spree" of sessions to gather community feedback. "We're going to talk to a lot of people before we put pencil to paper on this," McCaffery stated. The project will transform the landmark Spanish Colonial Revival building at 2019 N. Oak Park Avenue, which has produced beloved treats like Snickers and Milky Way bars for nearly a century. While neighbors will miss "the smell of chocolate," the redevelopment presents an exciting opportunity to reimagine the space for community benefit. Meanwhile, Galewood's tree canopy continues to expand, with 130 trees already planted through a local initiative supported by the Chicago Tree Ambassador Program through the Morton Arboretum and Chicago Regional Tree Initiative. Residents interested in participating in the Mars redevelopment planning sessions should contact Galewood Neighbors through their website for meeting details.

Sources:
1. https://chicago.suntimes.com/real-estate/2024/09/30/mars-wrigley-enlists-partner-mccaffery-redevelop-decorative-candy-factory-galewood
2. https://www.preservationchicago.org/win-developer-chosen-to-redevelop-landmarked-mars-chocolate-factory-and-site/
3. https://www.austinweeklynews.com/2025/06/02/galewood-neighbors-tree/