Sho-Deen Homes...From Our Family to Yours
Building the Tri-Cities for Over 45 Years

When Kent Shodeen settled in Geneva in 1961, little did he realize the lasting influence he would have in the development of the quaint, rural Illinois community and its neighboring towns. Now, 45 years later, his namesake company. Sho-Deen. Inc.. is widely recognized by area residents and business and civic leaders as one of the Fox Valley's premier construction, management and land development firms.

Shortly after moving to the Tri-Cities, the native Chicagoan built a single-family home, intending to move into it with his wife, Joan and young daughter, Beth. Those plans changed, though, when an interested buyer came along and Shodeen sold the home for a modest profit. That seed money helped finance more "one-at-a-time" projects over the next several years and Shodeen's reputation for building quality homes begun to grow.

In 1966, Shodeen greatly expanded his home building portfolio with the purchase and development of 62 acres of undeveloped land in Batavia. Building out a portion at a time, Shodeen transformed the unimproved parcel of land into Carriage Crest, a 160 single-family home community.

Today Sho-Deen. Inc. is a diversified, family-operated firm whose residential properties have housed more than 5,000 Fox Valley area families in addition to major retail, office and commercial developments, landmark restoration projects, and hotel and restaurant interests.

While Shodeen is the founder and CEO, in the past decade a second generation has become actively involved in managing the day-to-day operations of the corporation and its diversified interests. Shodeen's son, Craig, serves as president of Sho-Deen Inc., as well as Fox Development Homes Ltd., an affiliate company, while son Eric is president of Sho-Deen Management Company. Daughter Beth is a construction superintendent for Sho-Deen Inc. - Construction Division while daughter Anna Harmon is the corporation's director of marketing.

Sho-Deen. Inc.'s most ambitious residential project to date is Mill Creek, one of Kane County's largest master planned community of single-family and multi-family residences. Spanning over 1.400 acres just west of Geneva, Mill Creek garnered prestigious honors from the National Association of Home Builders and Professional Builder magazine, in 1999 as the "Best Overall Community in the Midwest." When complete, Mill Creek will total approximately 2,000 homes set amid an 18-hole public and a 9-hole golf course, numerous lakes, hiking trails and over 45 percent open space. Mill Creek will also have its own Village Center, complete with future convenient shops, a European style inn, Rejoice Lutheran church and the Mill Creek Elementary School.

With over 800 homes already built. Mill Creek stands out as the preeminent example of the principles that have contributed to the company's history of responsible community development. "My father has never wavered from his original goal to offer home buyers the most value for their investment." said Craig Shodeen. "Mill Creek exemplifies his vision and his home building philosophy of superior quality and attention to community values and buyers' needs." Prime among those needs, Shodeen points out, is location. "As longtime residents ourselves, the Shodeen family has a firsthand perspective of what area home buyers want," said Craig Shodeen. "Our properties offer the best of both worlds-convenience to jobs, good schools and shopping, plus leisure attractions, all within a friendly small town setting."

Without question. Sho-Deen's residential and commercial development projects have changed the landscape of the burgeoning Fox Valley area and added significantly over the years to its economic base.

Sho-Deen. Inc.'s commercial projects include major retail and office space, including Tri-City Center in St. Charles, Geneva on the Dam and Williamsburg Professional Center in Geneva.

The family's roots in the historic Fox Valley grow with each generation and their loyalty to the area is further evidenced through the firm's restoration projects.

These include Geneva on the Dam. a 50,000-square-foot office complex, the River North Condominiums along the banks of the Fox River, and the historic Herrington Inn of Geneva with adjacent office and retail center.

"These were dilapidated areas that didn't interest other developers." said Chris Aislon, Geneva's director of economic development. "Kent Shodeen stepped up to the plate and turned these former eye-sores into thriving properties providing important business and hospitality services."

For those restoration efforts, Sho-Deen Inc. was the recipient in 1993 of the Preservation Partnership Award from the Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley.

"The Fox Valley offers an outstanding quality of life" said Craig Shodeen. "My parents recognized that 40 years ago. Since then, they and each member of the Shodeen family has remained dedicated to preserving the character and values that the Fox Valley region offers to those who live and work here."

To learn more about Sho-Deen. Inc.'s current residential and commercial properties, call (630) 232-8570.