Ugly Downtown Building Undergoing Makeover Into Plaza 66

JOLIET, IL - The old Montgomery Ward at the corner of Ottawa and Van Buren Streets has been regarded as one of downtown's least attractive buildings because of its lack of windows. But this month, a transformation is taking place. Joliet real estate investor Noe Patino acquired the site last year. He chose to invest in downtown Joliet because of all revitalization taking place, including the new $215 million Will County Courthouse less than two blocks away.

Patino and his construction workers are busy painting the façade along Ottawa Street as well as installing new windows along Van Buren Street. They are calling their project Plaza 66. The main entrance faces the city of Joliet public parking garage along Route 30.

Since Friday, Joliet Patch has stopped by and captured a number of photos of the building improvements. Here's a few more photos of the ongoing work.

For more about the project, check out this Joliet Patch article published on Plaza 66 from last November.