Place Foundry

Name: Place Foundry
Address: Rockford, IL, US
Telephone: +17799010244

We partner with private businesses and public purpose organizations to build magnetic destinations for learning, commerce, housing, and healthy living.

01/30/2026

This vacant garden center is about to become North Main Street's next gathering place.

We're excited to partner with Joel Zirkle and Bobby Walsh of North & Main Market Co. as they reimagine the former Village Green Home & Garden into a year-round food destination that brings fresh energy to this nearly 2-acre site.

Their vision includes an indoor food market with local vendors and a bar, a commercial kitchen supporting startups and food trucks, and 17,000 square feet of reactivated greenhouses growing hydroponic produce right on site. Plus a street-side food stand serving the community with quick, quality bites.

We love projects like this—where adaptive reuse meets entrepreneurial spirit, where local food culture gets room to grow and where a property becomes a launchpad for multiple small businesses at once.

Place Foundry is developing the conceptual design and architectural plans to help North & Main Market Co. turn this vision into reality. Watching entrepreneurs invest in their communities and create spaces where people gather, eat well, and support local never gets old.

We're grateful for the opportunity to be part of North Main Street's next chapter.

Find Out More:
https://www.rockrivercurrent.com/2026/01/former-village-green-on-north-main-in-rockford-to-become-food-centric-destination/

Have a vision for transforming a space in your community?
Let's bring it to life together.
Explore our design services: https://www.theplacefoundry.com/design

11/04/2025

Ten years ago, Megan Huels had a vision: transform a historic Coca-Cola bottling plant into the family destination downtown Rockford has been waiting for.

We're honored to have partnered with Megan and Brian Huels to help bring Cahoots Rockford to life—a 52,000 sq. ft. space where mini putt, duckpin bowling, arcade games, and gathering spaces come together under one roof.

Watching them pour their hearts into every detail, from designing rival mini golf holes to preserving the building's exposed brick and reclaimed wood, has been inspiring.

This is their dream, and we're grateful to play a part in making it happen.

This is what we love about architecture: adaptive reuse and placemaking that helps visionaries create spaces where communities gather, families make memories, and downtowns thrive.

Can't wait to see families making memories here. See you on the course in early 2026!

Find Out More about Cahoots Rockford:
https://www.rockrivercurrent.com/2025/10/rockford-couple-works-to-create-downtowns-next-family-destination/

https://www.cahootsrockford.com/

Have a vision for your community or space? Let's bring it to life together. Explore our design services.
https://www.theplacefoundry.com/design

04/18/2025

Place Foundry is proud to partner with Danville, Illinois on their visionary 2050 Comprehensive Plan!

www.danville2050.org

What makes Danville special? This community of 28,000 is steeped in rich history (approaching its bicentennial in 2027), has produced cultural icons like Dick Van D**e, Gene Hackman, NFL quarterback and coach Zeke Bratkowski, and pianist Bobby Short among others.

Danville is now taking bold steps to define its future.

Our team is diving into the community engagement phase, where we’ll gather diverse perspectives that will shape Danville’s roadmap for decades to come. This collaborative approach ensures plans that reflect genuine community values and aspirations.

More to come!

07/10/2024

Join Our Team

We are looking for a highly organized and proactive Office Administrator to ensure our office runs smoothly every day.

In this crucial role, you'll manage day-to-day operations, handle administrative tasks, and support our team with scheduling, document preparation, and correspondence. Ideal candidates should possess excellent communication skills, strong attention to detail, and thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Find out more and apply:
https://www.theplacefoundry.com/careers

07/05/2024

We are on the lookout for a talented and passionate Place Strategist to join our dynamic team.

Dive into a role where you will shape urban landscapes through research, mapping, and analysis, adhering to the best urban design practices. This position offers the chance to lead small to medium-scale urban design and master planning projects while engaging with clients and communities to drive impactful urban regeneration.

Ideal candidates should hold a degree in urban planning, urban design, or related fields, with 1-3 years of experience. We value a demonstrated commitment to sustainable and regenerative design and seek individuals with excellent communication skills and a knack for critical thinking.

If you're ready to contribute to our mission of enhancing urban growth, accessibility, and livability, we would love to hear from you.

Find out more and apply:
https://www.theplacefoundry.com/careers

07/02/2024

Join Our Growing Team: Architectural Designer

We're looking for someone with 1-3 years of experience, skilled in Revit, AutoCAD, and Adobe Creative Cloud, to develop projects that enhance community spaces. Dive into a role where your creativity in sustainable design can flourish in a collaborative, hybrid working environment.

Let's innovate together and make impactful contributions to our communities!

See details and apply at
https://www.theplacefoundry.com/careers

06/28/2024

Looking for your next opportunity?

Help transform places with a team of innovative urban planners, strategists, designers and architects passionate about place making. Apply to join the Place Foundry team.

See details and apply at
https://www.theplacefoundry.com/careers

04/09/2024

Shape the Future

Urban Place Designer Needed for Transformative Public, private, and Non-profit Planning Projects.

Join our team as a Place Designer and put your urban design skills to work on transformative projects.

From crafting master plans to diving deep into urban design guidance and planning strategies—your work will shape the future of residential, mixed-use, and regeneration projects.

What we're looking for:
- An appreciation for the US planning system
- Experience in urban designs
- A desire to impact community and environment positively

Join us in creating spaces where communities thrive.

See details and apply at https://www.theplacefoundry.com/careers

04/02/2024

Join Our Team!

Dynamic Place Analyst Wanted for Urban Transformations in Planning and Policy Development.

We need you if you have a strong foundation in urban planning, design, placemaking, or development.

This role is about driving change—through research, long-term planning, and innovative policy development.

It's your chance to be at the forefront of creating meaningful urban transformations.

What we're looking for:
👉️ Expertise in urban planning/design/placemaking
👉️ Stellar research and information synthesis skills
👉️ A visionary with insights that power our strategies

See details and apply at
https://www.theplacefoundry.com/careers

03/25/2024

Looking for your next opportunity?

Help transform places with a team of innovative urban planners, strategists, designers, and architects passionate about place-making. Apply to join the Place Foundry team.

See details and apply at
https://www.theplacefoundry.com/careers

03/24/2024

Place Mapping can have a profound impact on our communities and urban landscapes.

It’s more than a strategy; it's a philosophy that champions the creation of meaningful, engaging, and dynamic spaces. It's about understanding that the spaces we create today are the communities of tomorrow.

Read more on our blog.

https://www.theplacefoundry.com/blog/what-is-place-mapping-3

03/17/2024

Ever wondered what makes a space more than just a place to visit?

People, Programming, and Marketplace come together in the Place Innovation Ecosystem to create spaces that resonate with the heart of the community.

Want to know more about crafting engaging, sustainable spaces? Check out our latest blog that delves into the essence of place mapping.
https://www.theplacefoundry.com/blog/what-is-place-mapping-2

Address

Rockford, IL

Telephone

+17799010244

Website

https://www.theplacefoundry.com/

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