our story

Over 30 years ago, the principals of DL3 came together to revitalize the commercial landscape of the far south side of Chicago, which had declined after the social unrest of the 1960s. Since that time, DL3 has financed and developed high quality education centers, professional office buildings, multifamily housing, and national tenant anchored retail centers. DL3 has received numerous awards, including three LISC/Chicago awards for the Most Outstanding Community Development (2008, 2016, 2018) and has been featured nationally in publications, pod casts and industry events. DL3's nationally recognized Venture Development model is helping to lead a growing wave of community focused investment and development.

DL3 works in interdisciplinary teams to formulate area plans at various geographic scales, in urban, suburban and rural locations. We prepare plans that serve as a foundation for land use decision-making and attracting private development. Functioning as a “proxy developer,” we define market-achievable levels of development. Our market research and development feasibility and phasing insights are key to creating plans that are guided by public goals but grounded in reality.

Today, DL3 is a locally engaged and nationally-recognized full service real estate development firm that is dedicated to transforming communities through high-impact commercial real estate.

From medical centers to grocery stores, our connection to community creates a pipeline of development opportunities that improves the quality of life for everyday Chicagoans. We continue to expand through new developments and acquisitions of commercial sites, including an active pipeline of over $100 million in commercial projects designed to elevate Chicago's urban communities.

The DL3 Venture Fund allows accredited investors to leverage DL3’s nationally-recognized approach to realize risk-adjusted financial returns and meaningful social and economic impact.  For more information about investing, contact us.

Developing intentionally

We have five criteria to ensure that where we develop has the most impact on the community.

01

Past evidence of potential development

02

Anchor institution investment

03

Deliberate leadership

04

Available land

05

Activities changing the community brand