NWS helps transform East Court Village into a modern open-air destination, earning CoStar’s 2026 Redevelopment of the Year
NWS Architects continues to demonstrate how thoughtful design drives retail performance, playing a key role in the redevelopment of East Court Village in Pekin, Illinois, recently named 2026 Redevelopment of the Year by the CoStar Impact Awards.
Working alongside Cullinan Properties and the City of Pekin, NWS helped transform a legacy enclosed mall into a modern open-air retail destination built for today’s retailers and consumers. The redesign prioritized accessibility, visibility, and flexibility, aligning the asset with current leasing demand and long-term operational success.
The project introduced a strong lineup of national tenants, including Marshalls, Five Below, and Ross Dress for Less, reinforcing the center’s position as a revitalized retail hub for the community.
This redevelopment reflects a broader shift across retail real estate: repositioning existing assets to meet modern expectations through disciplined execution and strategic design.
For NWS Architects, East Court Village is another example of how the right approach can unlock value, accelerate leasing, and bring new life to retail environments that were once considered obsolete.
Read more about the project on CoStar’s website, here.
