More than two years after a fire destroyed Morgan Li’s large warehouse in Chicago Heights, the maker of display fixtures, dormitory furniture, graphic design and other products, celebrated the opening of its new, larger facility Tuesday.

The 240,000-square-foot building at 1001 Washington Ave., just recently finished, is on the site where the previous warehouse burned Feb. 6, 2023. No employees were harmed in the fire, the origins of which remain unknown. 

In the immediate aftermath, the Morgan Li team pivoted production to alternate facilities to avoid disruption to customers, and started the process of rebuilding. The company said a little more than a year after the fire it would rebuild at the same location. The new warehouse will also eventually consolidate temporary, leased warehouse space Morgan Li has in Chicago Heights and Matteson.

“For us, this isn’t just a new building—it’s a reflection of how far we’ve come and where we’re headed,” said Andy Rosenband, CEO of Morgan Li. “We’ve had our fair share of milestones to celebrate as a company over the last 80 years, but the start of this new chapter and what it means for our customers, our employees, and this community might be the most exciting one yet.”

The new Class A facility was designed with innovation and efficiency at the forefront, incorporating advanced technology, equipment, and systems. Key features include energy-efficient LED lighting throughout the facility and advanced recycling systems for metal and cardboard waste. The facility also boasts more than 20 loading docks, as well as an additional 40,000 square foot structure housing a new dedicated paint line for finished products and refurbishment, reducing environmental impact and improving product lifecycle management.

Rosenband, and his brother, Jonathan, who is Morgan Li’s president, are the third generation of the Rosenband family. Their grandfather started the business eight decades ago in Chicago’s Bridgeport community. The third-generation business is headquartered at 383 E. 16th St. in Chicago Heights, where it operates a 275,000-square-foot manufacturing plant.

This new construction is poised to consolidate all distribution and warehousing under one roof, positioning the company for continued growth in the dynamic retail and commercial environments. As a third-generation family-owned and operated business, Morgan Li has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to fostering its longstanding relationship with the local Chicagoland community. That’s why, when selecting a location for this new facility, it was crucial to the Morgan Li team that they remained in the Chicago Heights area where they can continue to support the community through job creation and other benefits.

“It’s a true honor to be able to continue investing in the Chicago Heights community,” said Jonathan Rosenband, president of Morgan Li. “This is where our story began, and being able to rebuild right here - bigger and better than ever - is incredibly meaningful. This facility is a symbol of our commitment to creating opportunities, driving innovation, and showing up for the community that has supported us for generations.”

In addition to the City of Chicago Heights, key partners on this project include Principal Construction Corp., leading design/build general contractor, and Designhaus, Inc., an architectural design firm specializing in commercial, industrial, and residential projects.

“The opening of Morgan Li’s new facility marks an exciting milestone for the City of Chicago Heights,” said Chicago Heights Mayor, David Gonzalez. “This expansion not only reflects the strength and resilience of a homegrown company, but it also brings meaningful job opportunities and continued economic growth to our community. We’re proud to support businesses like Morgan Li that are deeply invested in the people and future of Chicago Heights.”