Tom’s Recommended Reading for the Week

1. Developer promises unique workplace on ex-Motorola campus in Libertyville – Aside from the new sign, there isn’t much evidence of activity at the vast, empty space that once housed Motorola Mobility on Route 45 south of Winchester Road in Libertyville... Daily Herald
   
2. In Real Estate, Branded Content Is News – Big-name real estate services firms are joining the rush of businesses into new types of marketing that blur the lines between journalism and branding. With a splashy party last week at O’mar’s La Ranita, residential powerhouse Douglas Elliman relaunched Elliman as a lifestyle magazine… Wall Street Journal
3. Online savvy helps commercial real estate professionals do better business offline – Despite what many in our field might think, commercial real estate isn’t just about sales; it’s about building relationships. As our industry expands and the tools available to us evolve, so too must our approach to business… RE Journals
   
4. Plenty of rivals are following WeWork into co-working competition – Co-working company WeWork’s decision to open a 105,000-square-foot space in River North may throw a scare into a niche once characterized by local players while affirming that the little guys were on to something big all along… Crain’s Chicago
5. Willis Tower buyer Blackstone pounces on former Apparel Center – Blackstone Group is close to taking over Chicago’s tallest building, but the private-equity giant isn’t stopping there. New York-based Blackstone has agreed to pay about $390 million for the former Apparel Center, now called River North Point, according to people familiar with the transaction… Crain’s Chicago