65 East Wacker

65 EAST WACKER

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
65 E Wacker Holdings II, LLC

STATISTICS
24 Stories
222,768 GSF

STATUS
In Development

A 24-story office building near Chicago’s Magnificent Mile shopping avenue proposes to redevelop much of the building into apartments, while keeping some office and retail space. The art deco building at 65 E. Wacker was completed in 1928 and is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.

December 6, 2024December 19, 2024

65 E. Wacker residential development approved

65 EAST WACKER RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT APPROVED

We’re excited to announce that the Chicago Plan Commission has officially approved the residential development of 65 East Wacker Place! Our team here at PH will design the conversion of floors 4 to 24 into residential units and the two lower floors will turn into the new lobby, while still preserving Morton’s The Steakhouse, located on the second floor. We’re all thrilled to see the transformation of this historic building! More news coming soon.

Oak & Larrabee

OAK & LARRABEE

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Brinshore Development
The Michaels Organization

STATISTICS
78 Units
7 Stories
39 Parking Spaces
112,800 GSF

STATUS
In Development

Envisioned for the southeast corner of Oak and Larrabee streets in an area that was once part of Chicago’s Cabrini Green neighborhood, this mixed-income development is a component of the Chicago Housing Authority’s larger strategy to bring investment and increased density to the district. Located at 955 N Larrabee, this 7-story project will feature 78 residential units, with 54 units designated as affordable housing for households earning 30–80% of the Area Median Income.

Designed to foster a community-driven environment, the building offers indoor and outdoor common spaces, a community garden, and bicycle storage. The building’s design is intended to recall the vocabularies of stately residential buildings of the past, as well as contemporary interpretations of the rhythms and materiality of the nearby historic warehouse buildings of Montgomery Ward. Particular emphasis has been placed on the detailing of the building’s precast concrete facade, which includes a nuanced pattern of reveals and projections, as well as a carefully considered scale and balanced proportions that are appropriate to the street, the neighborhood and to Chicago.

Pomeroy Apartments

POMEROY APARTMENTS

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Chicago Housing Authority

ORIGINAL ARCHITECT
Leo Steif

STATISTICS
104 and 1 Management Units
10 Stories
118,500 GSF

The classically detailed, limestone and terracotta clad building was renovated as part of the Chicago Housing Authority’s Plan for Transformation to be their flagship senior living center on Chicago’s North Side. The plan sought to preserve the building’s vintage apartment-hotel character keeping as many dwellings as possible while adding contemporary amenities, technologies and accessibility features. A full exterior restoration including replication of the missing terracotta eyebrow cornice were a part of the repair program. Inside, the ornate plasterwork of the original 1923 lobby was restored and the space re-purposed for a formal Event and Dining Room. Together with the creation of a new Kenmore Avenue entry, a central communal space resulted to bring together administration and activity spaces for casual and formal interaction of the occupants. Special amenities include a central landscaped courtyard and rooftop terrace with garden plots for residents.

LEED® Platinum Certified

AWARDS
The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award, President’s Award, Landmarks Illinois
Silver Achievement Award, Best 50+ Repositioned Community, National Association of Home Builders
Silver Award, Best Renovation, MultiHousing News (MHN) Excellence Awards, MHN Magazine
Bronze Award, Building Design+Construction (BD+C) Reconstruction Awards, BD+C Magazine
Bronze Award, Restoration/Renovation, Brick in Architecture Awards, Brick Industry Association

The Brighton

THE BRIGHTON

LOCATION
Chicago, IL

CLIENT
S Group Properties

STATISTICS
16 Dwelling Units
9 Stories
16 Parking Spaces
40,916 GSF

PHOTOGRAPHY
Darris Harris

Designed for modern life, this contemporary building offers spacious floor plans, unique intimacy and stunning views. Sheathed in generous expanses of glass, each of the two units per floor offer private covered terraces and balconies, providing expanded living space and multiple exposures. Other special amenities include an elegantly finished, high-speed elevator and luxurious lobby appointed in imported honed granite, rich wood-paneled walls and stainless details.

801 West Madison

801 WEST MADISON

LOCATION
Chicago, IL

CLIENT
The Neighborhood Hotels

STATISTICS
76 Units
6 Stories
21,596 SF Retail/Commercial
82,082 GSF

STATUS
In Development

The Former Mid-City Trust and Savings Bank building was designed in 1911 as a Romanesque Revival-style six-story commercial and office building. The L-shaped building was redesigned in 1928 to add a new Classical Revival-style exterior and a double-height banking hall on the inside, illuminated by large skylights. Banking facilities at 801 W. Madison remained open until the early 2000s and have stayed vacant since the mid-2000s.

The building was designated a Chicago Landmark in 2012, with the interior banking hall included as a significant space in the designation. The Neighborhood Hotels purchased the building a decade later for rehabilitation and conversion into an apartment-style hotel. The historic bank will be revived into a mixed-use building with a small portion of the first floor and floors 2-6 comprising 76 hotel suites and the remaining space on the first floor and basement to be leased to retail and restaurant tenants. The building application for listing on the National Register of Historic Places was recently approved.

The Grand Kedzie Lodge

THE GRAND KEDZIE LODGE

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Ranquist Development
Jodi Development
Campbell Coyle

STATISTICS
10 Units
3 Stories + Basement
1 Parking Space
9,413 GSF

PHOTOS & RENDERINGS
Courtesy of Ranquist Development

The Grand Kedzie Lodge is a historical mansion located at 2228 N. Kedzie in Logan Square, Chicago. Originally built in 1893 as a single-family home, it has since been adapted into a multifamily residence and is now a part of the Logan Square Boulevards historic district. The mansion features a Richardsonian Romanesque style of architecture with rusticated limestone frontage, arched openings, and a cylindrical turret with a conical cap.

The property went through repairs and updates to increase the total number of dwellings to ten units in the main house. While the exterior of the building was preserved, the interiors were updated to meet the needs of modern urban tenants. Floor plans have been thoughtfully designed to take advantage of the interesting volumes and large windows, creating unique interior compositions throughout. The expressive roofline also provides a dramatic interior feature for the upper loft units.

AWARDS
1 Place, Multifamily, Metamorphosis Awards, Retrofit Magazine

The Grand Palmer Lodge

THE GRAND PALMER LODGE

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Ranquist Development
New Era Chicago
Campbell Coyle Real Estate

STATISTICS
14 Units
2 Stories
12 Parking Spaces
11,639 GSF

STATUS
Complete

PHOTOGRAPHY
Aleks Eva
Pappageorge Haymes Partners

Palmer Park is an adaptive reuse of a century-old synagogue, and more recently a Boys and Girls Club, into a 14-unit apartment building consisting of 1- to 3-bedroom apartments. The project preserves the old yellow brick and limestone structure designed by architect Edward Steinborn in the 1920s, and works within the existing two-story volume of the building, with new balconies and ground-level patios projecting off the west side of the building. Historic masonry, terrazzo floors, and plaster detail elements have been joined by modern fixtures creating a unique mix of materials, instilling a sense of antique charm while providing modern convenience. The development team worked extensively with the community to redevelop the west lot of the building, where the club had a fenced playground, into a publicly accessible pocket park. This park serves as a physical link to the community while also acting as an amenity space for the tenants, whose balconies and patios overlook the park.

Platform 4611

PLATFORM 4611

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
The John Buck Company

STATISTICS
200 Units
9 Stories
22 Parking Spaces
9,076 Retail SF
153,998 GSF

PHOTOGRAPHY
Englebright Photography

The 9-story mixed-use building just across the street from the CTA's Wilson Station transforms the streetscape with its presence. The masonry building is situated on a corner site at 4601 N. Broadway in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood and consists of ground-floor retail and 200 rental apartments in studios and 1- to 3-bedroom unit arrangements. Inside, residents are treated to an extraordinary living experience boasting an impressive array of well-appointed amenity spaces, including a rooftop terrace with sweeping views of Lake Michigan and the iconic Chicago skyline.

1400 South Wabash

1400 SOUTH WABASH

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
CMK Companies

STATISTICS
299 Units
30 Stories
105 Parking Spaces
3,327 Retail SF
339,069 GSF

Situated in the growing South Loop neighborhood just south of Chicago’s main business district, this once vacant infill site now hosts a 30-story mixed-use tower bordering the CTA “L” tracks on its western side. The building is comprised of 299 apartments, street-facing retail space, top-floor resident amenities, and a rooftop terrace offering expansive views of Chicago and Lake Michigan. Ideally located for city professionals, the building’s distinctive exterior is designed to recall a map of Chicago’s neighborhoods through an irregular and playful pattern of colors, recesses, and projections. At the podium, the facade is visually modulated to suggest pedestrian scale and character, recognizing the project’s urban context and neighborhood continuity. The development thoughtfully incorporates a landscaped garden on the north end of the project site, enhancing the pedestrian experience along the street and providing respite from the urban density.

1203 North California

PEDRO ALBIZU CAMPOS APARTMENTS

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Hispanic Housing Development Corp.

STATISTICS
64 Dwelling Units
9 Stories
19 Parking Spaces
86,494 GSF

STATUS
Completed 2024

A 9-story residential building occupies a formerly vacant corner lot on California Ave & Division St in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood. The site marks the transition point between a park, residential district, and a vibrant commercial corridor known as Paseo Boricua. The building optimizes the characteristics of a corner site, with the use of a rounded building corner that encourage pedestrian engagement. The development completes the street wall formed along each street and serve to link traffic from the park to the commercial district.

Division St. is an active commercial corridor and is fronted with a facade of traditional masonry materials. The building's design takes its cues from neighboring precedents and is organized around a traditional base, middle, and top format that resonates with the vintage character and scale of the street. The facade incorporates masonry trim and face brick materials at the ground level and a vertical glazed shaft that bookends the commercial paseo's western terminus.

The development includes ground-level management spaces, a 19 car indoor garage, a 2nd-floor outdoor terrace, and 64 affordable apartments marketed to existing Humboldt Park area families and residents.

808 North Cleveland

808 NORTH CLEVELAND

CLIENT
DAC Developments
Bayview USA Holdings

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

STATISTICS
200 Dwelling Units
22 Stories
101 Parking Spaces
7,544 Retail SF
20,525 Office SF
281,256 GSF

PHOTOGRAPHY
Interior: Courtesy of Common Living
Exterior: Pappageorge Haymes Partners

This new mixed-use building in Chicago’s River North neighborhood offers 200 apartments, retail spaces, offices, and various amenities. On the corners of each residential floor are 28 co-living units, each with four bedrooms. The building's architecture incorporates vertical concrete elements inspired by the white marble corners of the neighboring historic Montgomery building, while its warehouse-style base pays homage to the area's industrial heritage. The glazed tower is set back from the street, reducing the perceived density from the street level and providing an open atmosphere. Ground-floor retail and a grand double-height residential lobby contribute to the area's vitality, further extending the Chicago Ave commercial corridor. The landscaped roof deck is a blissful oasis above the city's hustle and bustle, complete with a pool, hot tub, grilling stations, and a dog park.

DOWNLOAD PROJECT PDF >

424 South Wabash

424 SOUTH WABASH

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
DAC Developments

STATISTICS
270 Units
26 Stories
40 Parking Spaces
1,952 Retail SF
215,035 GSF

STATUS
In Development

Rising 26 stories high on a narrow mid-block site in Chicago’s South Loop is a new mixed-use hotel building including retail space on the ground floor, parking, office, and amenities. The hotel features 270 hotel rooms, styled as apartments intended for extended stays, in studio, one, and two-bedroom suite configurations. The fully-glazed tower rises above the adjacent brick-clad buildings featuring two-toned glass in reference to the Roosevelt University tower across the street. Despite the hotel building’s height and modern aesthetics, the building does not compete for attention with its neighbors but rather seeks to capture its surroundings through reflections.

1810 North Wells

1810 NORTH WELLS

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Chicago Development Partners

STATISTICS
18 Units
2-4 Stories
18 Parking Spaces
5,100 SF Commercial
39,762 GSF

STATUS
Under Construction

The proposed mixed-use residential project, located in Chicago’s Old Town Triangle neighborhood, combines the adaptive reuse of an existing 2-story building, a 3-story building with a 2-story coach house in the back, and the partial demolition of a 1-story garage building with a new 3-story rooftop addition. The entire development preserves the existing street-wall along North Wells Street with the new addition being deliberately set-back from the street front. Together the four buildings will include 18 dwelling units 18 parking spaces, 5,100 SF of street-level retail, and a shared courtyard.The building's massing is composed of a 4-story base filling the vacant lot, a middle section tower that is setback from the base facade along Washington Blvd. The top floors also set back further providing active roof-top uses and outdoor decks for occupant use. The building's base is designed to respect the local character with a contemporary expression utilizing a mix of traditional materials, brick, and metal.

1221 West Washington

1221 WEST WASHINGTON

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Focus Development
DAC Developments
Melrose Ascension Capital

STATISTICS
287 Units
19 Stories
110 Parking Spaces
2,600 SF Commercial
282,200 GSF

STATUS
In Development

A 19-story residential apartment tower is planned on a vacant lot in between two existing 3 and 4-story buildings in Chicago’s popular West Loop neighborhood. The building will consist of 287 residential units with 20% designated as affordable on-site housing. The new mixed-use development is intended to work in connection with the neighboring office buildings.

The tower's design features a 5-story masonry base that fills the vacant lot, with a middle section tower set back from the base. The top floors will be further set back, creating an active rooftop area and outdoor decks for resident use. The building podium has been designed to respect the neighborhood character, incorporating a contemporary expression that also blends traditional materials such as brick and metal. The glassy tower above is distinguished by a metal frame grid pattern that creates a striking and dynamic aesthetic. The use of different shades create a sense of depth and texture on the building’s exterior, proving visual interest and complexity.

1122 West Chicago

1122 WEST CHICAGO

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Lipe Property Company

STATISTICS
97 Units
7 Stories
39 Parking Spaces
91,000 GSF

STATUS
Complete

Located on a wedge-shaped parcel at the northwest corner of Chicago and Milwaukee Avenues, this transit-oriented development offers 97 residential apartment units and retail space on the ground level. The modern facades includes a combination of aluminum windows, panelized siding with varying colors, and vertical bands with saturated accent colors.

To provide some relief, the base is inset and uses a darker color to provide the appearance of a two-story tall base. This treatment transitions to a vertical recess on the two primary facades to break down the massing into smaller elements. The corner is recessed in two places to provide additional articulation and allows for Juliette balconies for two of the corner units.

The project entry is located along Chicago Avenue, generously set back from the curb with an overhead awning to increase visibility from the transit located at the corner and provides a comfortable space for meeting or waiting.

1847 North Humboldt

1847 NORTH HUMBOLDT

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Ranquist Development
Jodi Development

ORIGINAL ARCHITECT
Unknown

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
Pre 1910

STATISTICS
15 Units
3 Stories
18 Parking Spaces
15,000 GSF

Located on the historic Humboldt Boulevard and steps away from Chicago's popular 606 Trail, the project converts a century-old church to residential use, providing 15 new residential apartments to Chicago's increasingly popular Logan Square neighborhood. The development transforms the existing structure to include six custom apartments. With the original church’s exposed framework and stained glass details, the dwelling units offer a one-of-a-kind experience for its residents. Adjacent to the site was the previous church’s parking lot, which was relocated to the back of the development to make way for a brand new annex building with 9 additional units. The completed development provides 15 modern residences for the growing population in Logan Square that blends seamlessly into the historic fabric of the neighborhood.

CASE STUDY
Case Study Download

Onni Fulton Market

ONNI FULTON MARKET

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Onni

INTERIOR DESIGN
Onni

STATISTICS
373 Units
33 Stories
392,263 GSF

PHOTOGRAPHY
Nicholas James Photography (Interior Images)
Darris Harris (Exterior Images)

Located just south of the K2 Apartments at 365 North Halsted Street, the new residential tower offers a range of studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units ranging in size from 400 sq. ft. to 1,600 sq. ft. Amenities include an outdoor pool and various lounges, party room, fitness center, and spa. The building plan features three access routes to the parking garage; a main entrance off a new North Union Avenue cul-de-sac, an auxiliary exit that passes over Hubbard’s Cave, under North Halsted Street onto North Green Street, and a ground level route on the west side that passes beneath the viaduct, meeting North Green Street. The tower is separated from K2 by a 41-foot railroad easement planned to be used for a high-speed rail link form Union Station to Saint Louis. The building’s southern boundary is also a rail line, now used by Metra for Amtrak.

1400 Museum Park

1400 MUSEUM PARK

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
The Enterprise Companies / Central Station Development Corp.

STATISTICS
260 Units
34 Stories
309 Parking Spaces
9,000 SF Retail/Commercial
420,000 GSF

The tower’s sweeping curves of glass, outfitted in a sleek palette of silver and blue, interact with crisp white concrete producing a bold architectural statement that captures the essence of today’s urban landscape. On the street, the bustle of Michigan Avenue retail continues, and turning onto East Fourteenth Street, ends at the building’s lobby entrance. On the interior, the unit floor plans offer multiple innovative and flexible features. A small alcove set off the hallway is designed to function as a home office, library or hobby area in recognition of the growth of consultancy-type occupations, and split bedrooms, positioned to either side of the common kitchen and dining areas, provide a private environment for house guests, or elderly parents.

Block X

BLOCK X

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Thrush Development

STATISTICS
100 Units
112 Parking Spaces
167,000 GSF

Located in Chicago’s West Loop, the award-winning community development comprises 100 residential units organized within five separate buildings, around a large, lavishly landscaped courtyard that sits atop an underground parking garage. The project responds to its industrial context through its position on the edge of the sidewalk and use of red brick, limestone, steel detailing, and large areas of glazing. Fenestration changes, terraces and balconies and extensive landscaping invigorate the facades and contribute to the unique dynamic of the complex. This contextual envelope is eroded away on the courtyard side to reveal a richly detailed structural framework and bolder, more playful color and form.

AWARDS
Distinguished Building Award, American Institute of Architects, Chicago Chapter

Grand Award, Builder’s Choice Design and Planning Awards, Builder Magazine

Gold Key Award, The Home Builder’s Association of Greater Chicago

Ronald McDonald House

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana

STATISTICS
22 Units
3 Stories
20 Parking Spaces
29,700 GSF

A non-profit temporary home for the families of children battling illness in nearby hospitals, the home was designed to provide a peaceful setting to enable families from all social-economic backgrounds to comfortably interact with each other, helping them to better cope with their respective situations. A key component of the design was to maintain the residential character of the neighborhood by reducing the scale of the building and integrating features commonly found in the surrounding architecture; such as a large porch, bay windows, gable roof forms, dormers and traditional details. The building offers comfortable guest rooms with private bathrooms, manager’s apartments, offices, and ample common areas, including age-appropriate playrooms, and a non-denominational chapel for quiet reflection. Other special amenities include a computer room and wireless Internet, and guest parking.

AWARDS
Silver Award, Brick in Architecture Awards, The Brick Industry Association

Willow Court

WILLOW COURT

CLIENT
Smithfield Properties, Inc.

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

STATISTICS
56 Units
4 Stories

The site of a former railroad switching yard in the heart of Chicago’s Bucktown neighborhood was converted into a contemporary townhouse complex. Though gone, the railroad posed a difficult site challenge due to the abutment of an infrequently used railroad line which created a 20-foot rise from one end of the site to the other. This grade change was kept and the existing retaining wall was modified to allow pedestrian access to the courtyards throughout the complex. The site design staggers the homes, creating interest while allowing the opportunity to create landscaped courtyards with gateways to the homes behind. The architecture’s powerful form and massing is expressed through its use of two colors of brick and large vertical black steel cantilevered bays positioned at the block corners.

AWARDS
Grand Award, Builder’s Choice Design and Planning Awards, Builder Magazine
Silver Award, Excellence in Masonry, Illinois/Indiana Masonry Council

Embassy Club

EMBASSY CLUB

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
MCL Development Corp.

STATISTICS
96 Townhouse, 77 Condo, 37 Single-family Units
7.75 Acres

The 7.75 acre site of a former factory is transformed into an upscale Victorian-style residential complex detailed with cobblestone streets and walks, antique cast-iron street lights, wrought-iron fencing and entry gates, brick and stone pillars, and landscaped parkways. Distinctive environments are created by the arrangement of the homes in three clusters anchored by three private lanes that form plaza courtyards. The development’s twelve different housing unit configurations, including townhouses, condominiums and single-family homes, are uniquely articulated in limestone, brick, copper and slate shingle, combine to produce a harmonious yet varied sequence of living spaces.

AWARDS
Gold Key Award, Excellence in Housing Design, Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago

Silver Award, Excellence in Masonry, Illinois/Indiana Masonry Council

North Side Real Estate Board Good Neighbor Award

Clybourn Lofts

CLYBOURN LOFTS

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Horwitz-Matthews

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
c. 1900

STATISTICS
57 Units
6 Stories
60 Parking Spaces
140,000 GSF

Originally built as a 1900-era piano factory, the six story building was transformed into fifty-seven residential lofts. The addition of a brightly-colored steel superstructure to the north wall not only creates an innovative framework for exterior terraces, but is critical in establishing a bold new identity for the historic building. The use of industrial materials, such as expressive steel detailing, chain-link fencing, raw concrete block and checkerplate aluminum is contrasted wit brass, white tile and glass to create an affordable impact and visual excitement. The development strategy for the building was to offer an opportunity to customize the design of each loft. Working closely with each buyer, Pappageorge Haymes created a variety of unique architectural expressions. This level of customization was achievable because the firm also acted as construction manager for the project.

Museum Park Tower II

MUSEUM PARK TOWER II

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
The Enterprise Companies
Central Station Development Corp.

STATISTICS
165 Units
21 Stories
270 Parking Spaces
3,000 SF Retail/Commercial
468,000 GSF

The second in a series of three traditional towers, the building looks East to Lake Michigan and the Museums and West to Museum Park and the City. The tower’s language is rooted in Classic Chicago Style architecture with architectural details that reflect the vernacular of the surrounding Museum Campus. Some of these details include expansive windows with lintels on piers and a colonnade effect designed to provide texture, depth and shadow to the building’s exterior while fitting into the look of existing structures. The core of the building is defined by integrated bronze-tinted windows and regimented balconies placed within the mid-section’s formal colonnade. Extended cornices, Doric-proportioned columns, and horizontal belt-course are used to create the building’s bold top.

Altgeld Park

ALTGELD COURT

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Centrum Properties

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
c. 1960

STATISTICS
40 Units
1 and 2 Stories
66 Parking Spaces
89,000 GSF

Situated within an established urban neighborhood and adjacent to a railroad spur, the site was originally dominated by a 1960’s era industrial building which the community was unwilling to see demolished. As a result, an innovative strategy for adaptive reuse was developed which involved “carving” landscaped courtyards out of the original steel frame/bar joist structure and positioning open and garage parking along the rail line. Within the complex, bedroom level mezzanines are constructed of precast concrete planks bearing on steel stud demising walls with major living areas characterized by high ceilings, painted industrial framing and articulated fireplace walls. At the exterior, existing perimeter masonry walls are simply cut to receive dramatic over-scaled windows. Block masonry, corrugated galvanized siding, aluminum windows and colorful canopies all serve to playfully reinterpret the industrial aesthetic.

AWARDS
Distinguished Building Honor Award, American Institute of Architects, Chicago Chapter
Builder’s Choice Design and Planning Award, Project of the Year, Builder Magazine

1600 Museum Park

1600 MUSEUM PARK

CLIENT
The Enterprise Companies / Central Station Development Corp.

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

STATISTICS
264 Units
32 Stories
277 Parking Spaces
525,500 GSF

A soaring cantilever of glass and concrete defines the leading edge of the building’s lakefront facade, culminating in an open air roof portal at the summit. The base incorporates a series of horizontal glass panels, the random coloring of each forming part of a complex and unique visual pattern. Vertical concrete framing at the corners of the tower elegantly define the middle section of each facade. Each of these facades are specifically designed to respond to their own unique city and water views, allowing the character of the building to continually change as one moves around it. The roofline has been sculpted into a series of smaller elements that both give importance to the building’s lakefront gesture and create outdoor spaces for swimming pools and deck areas.
(also known as: Adler Place)

Dearborn Tower

DEARBORN TOWER

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
State Street Development Corporation

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
1906

STATISTICS
316 Units
18 Stories
389 Parking Spaces
196,000 SF Retail/Commercial
717,000 GSF

Formerly a giant industrial freezer for Beatrice Foods, the re-purposed building features 30 units per floor on eight of the original floors, two floors of commercial offices and restaurants, and additional residences added to the top of the tower to increase the density to 316 units. The massive base remaining from the original Beatrice cold storage warehouse has been stripped of its cladding, exposing the concrete frame with a recessed terrace window wall. The seven-story addition sets back and articulates the façade with a smaller, lighter grid. The south side of the building provides long linear balconies that double as sun shading devices in the summer. The north façade is articulated with a masonry tower incorporating a clock and mast thereby marking the building entry and tying together the new and old masses.

Museum Park Tower I

MUSEUM PARK TOWER I

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
The Enterprise Companies
Central Station Development Corp.

STATISTICS
220 Units
20 Stories
260 Parking Spaces
379,000 GSF

An interpretative composition of classical architectural language, the building’s base is solidly grounded, while the unit bays represent repetitive fluted columns designed to stand tall. The townhouses incorporated into the street-side of the building serve to screen the lower levels of the parking garage with active uses, providing an effective transition from the smaller scale residential buildings across the street. The tower culminates in a brilliant copper dome, heralding a landmark beacon for residents and visitors, alike.

The Glen Town Center

THE GLEN TOWN CENTER

LOCATION
Glenview, Illinois

CLIENT
Oliver McMillan

STATISTICS
181 Units
315 Parking Spaces
110,000 SF Retail/Commercial
450,000 GSF
1,100 Acres

As the high-density, mixed-use focus of the 1,100-acre redevelopment of an abandoned naval air station, The Glen Town Center is designed to evoke the classic, main street shopping districts of the prominent North Shore communities located nearby. Characterized by a cohesive integration of department stores, street retail, a movie theater, restaurant and parks, the development serves as the area’s prime destination for shopping and entertainment. Key residential ingredients include luxury apartments located above the retail stores, and two collections of gabled townhouses (Tower Crossing) situated at either end of the development.

AWARDS
Grand Award, Builder’s Choice Design & Planning Awards, Builder Magazine

Armitage-Leavitt

ARMITAGE-LEAVITT

CLIENT
Armitage-Leavitt LLC

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

STATISTICS
11 Units
4 Stories
11 Parking Spaces
5,000 SF Retail/Commercial
20,800 GSF

Hot-dipped galvanized steel used in lieu of historical limestone accents the planar masonry walls with their unusually deep-set windows, cut out corner, and large retail show windows. The window lintels express the contemporary nature of the building’s construction. The symmetrically organized plan provides four corner units per floor, each with the ideal split bedroom layout with corner living/dining spaces maximizing views. Durable yet elegant, the lobby utilizes plastic laminate wall surfacing along with ceramic tile in both matte and gloss finishes to provide an interplay between walls, floors and openings. This arrangement of simple details, and a clear expression of the plan through the exterior, provides the building with a distinctive and dynamic presence in its neighborhood.

AWARDS
Distinguished Building Honor Award, American Institute of Architects, Chicago Chapter

City Commons

CITY COMMONS

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Horwitz-Matthews

STATISTICS
62 Units
3 Stories
124 Parking Spaces
122,000 GSF

One of the first large-scale townhouse planned developments in Chicago’s Near North Side, the site is developed as two concentric quadrangles separated by a private interior drive. The design focuses on minimizing curb cuts, and encouraging a sense of community within the development by creating pedestrian friendly streets. Axial vistas culminate at a lushly landscaped courtyard with a decorative fountain at the site’s center which serves as a retreat and focal point for the residents. Careful and deliberate use of over-sized and standard concrete masonry units, brick, limestone, and glass block create a level of detail, scale, warmth, and an enduring quality that is consistent with the surrounding Victorian context. With sensitivity to the varietal nature of the urban dwellers, the project includes eight different unit designs ranging from 2,000- to 3,100- square feet.

AWARDS
Silver Award, Excellence in Masonry, Illinois/Indiana Masonry Council

Christopher House Charter School

CHRISTOPHER HOUSE CHARTER SCHOOL

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Christopher House

STATISTICS
3 Stories
47,600 GSF

The modern, newly constructed building, comprised of an Infant & Pre-School, Elementary School, Middle School, and After School & Parent Education Program, serves as a powerful beacon signaling progressive development in this high-need community. The unique architectural vocabulary incorporates a sustainable exterior corrugated steel wall system with brightly colored accents that add playful vitality to the design and enliven the street view. The building is nestled into the neighborhood’s architectural context and natural landscape through its respectful proportions and an expansive green screen extending along the east facade. A vintage brick masonry wall situated along the perimeter of the site was retained and restored to anchor the project into its surroundings. Floor-to-ceiling windows at the ground level allow a visual interplay between the exterior and interior spaces.

The Commonwealth

THE COMMONWEALTH

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
The Commonwealth LLC

STATISTICS
37 Units
4 Stories
89 Parking Spaces
141,300 GSF

Located in Chicago’s historic South Loop District, The Commonwealth reintroduces 1890’s architecture while incorporating the comforts of modern life. The project consists of two separate townhouse configurations: a 17-unit component positioned along Prairie Avenue (The Mansions on Prairie Avenue), backed by a 20-unit component beyond a paver stone drive court for the mansions. Set in an historic context of granite curbs, antique street lamps, and nearby iron-fenced park, these new luxury residences bring back the rich architectural style of the neighborhood’s Gilded Age. The 3-4 bedroom Mansions feature a traditional 4-story with basement townhouse design, including brick facades with grand limestone entrances, gabled roofs, rich limestone details and copper work.

814 North Franklin Street

814 NORTH FRANKLIN STREET

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Horowitz-Matthews

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
1891

STATISTICS
4 Stories
24,000 GSF

This adaptive re-use project converts a former bicycle factory into a stylish office and retail space. The exterior is a union of three elements: an existing, highly-detailed façade repainted in colors that relate to neighboring buildings; a gridwork of glass and aluminum set back from the façade to maximize lower level exposure and a highly painted column joining the building’s two facades. The interior consists of three principal spaces: the entrance lobby, whose small rotunda is a setting for the interplay of forms, surfaces, and color; the office of the architect, a space that conveys conservative imagery within the loft context; and a free-form office for an expressive and adventurous developer. The latter office features work stations and other office functions designed to create a playful and colorful interior streetscape.

AWARDS
Citation of Merit for Interior Architecture from the American Institute of Architects, Chicago Chapter

The Apex

THE APEX

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Sandz Development

STATISTICS
54 Units
6 Stories
57 Parking Spaces
86,500 GSF

Fifty-four condominiums are distributed over six stories, located above a two-level parking structure. The building’s strong triangular form is a result of its position on the diagonal of Milwaukee Avenue. The west façade is expressed as a dynamic and articulated brick and steel grid. Though attached to the main body of the building, the grid slips beyond the façade at both ends, creating an expressive open frame that also supports a series of terraces. Other balconies are suspended by tension cables from the roof, creating a powerful and unique expression.

BMT Design 1

BMT DESIGN 1

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
BMT Design

STATISTICS
1 Stories
10,000 GSF

PHOTOGRAPHY
Photos© Wayne Cable (.com)

First seen through a seamless glass storefront within the shell of an existing loft building, the studio and headquarters of this preeminent toy design firm is articulated in a profusion of differently colored and textured spaces that establish the theme of a “secret workshop”. Visitors encounter support offices connected by a suspended model train and defined by iridescent glass panels and a backlit glass door. The elegance of the partners’ conference room, with its orthogonal relationship to the building grid, inviting black leather chairs and fabric paneled walls, provides a sensory respite from the creatively contorted and skewed plan. A translucent gate swings into the terrazzo-floored room, where rolling chairs can be pulled up to a round table for game-storming sessions.

AWARDS
Citation of Merit for Interior Architecture, American Institute of Architects, Chicago Chapter

Professional Office Design Award

The Park Monroe Condominiums

THE PARK MONROE CONDOMINIUMS

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
GlenStar Properties

ORIGINAL ARCHITECT
Alfred Shaw & Associates

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
1972

STATISTICS
215 Units
(10 Floors) 50 Stories
237,000 (10 Floors) GSF

This major two phase adaptive re-use project involved segregating the lower floors to independently accessed Class A office space and converting the upper 10 floors into 215 luxury condominium residences. A new resident lobby with canopy and illuminated marquis provide a distinguished entry at 65 East Monroe with access to a private elevator bank. At the residential levels, the existing narrow fixed glass curtain wall was replaced by an expansive operable window wall featuring private recessed terraces. Removal of a penthouse level mechanical plant allowed for the removal of every other exterior column which housed ventilation ducts for offices. At the penthouse level, amenities include landscaped outdoor terrace, roof top sky deck, hot tub, indoor swimming pool and fitness center, media and community rooms.

33 West Huron Street

33 WEST HURON STREET

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Dearborn Development Corporation

STATISTICS
67 Units
9 Stories
82 Parking Spaces
9,000 SF Retail/Commercial
185,600 GSF

This brick-clad building draws upon the classical language of architecture, incorporating features such as a rusticated stone base, arched stone columns and an ornamental cornice line. A unique aspect of the building design is a stepped profile of the south façade which results in grand continuous terraces, allowing for stunning views of the city skyline. At street level, the building features a welcoming retail storefront, enhancing the commercial atmosphere along adjacent streets and discreetly screening the 2-story parking garage housed within. The top of the building is capped with luxury 2-story penthouse units and expansive landscaped outdoor terraces.

Park Terrace

PARK TERRACE

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
PH Properties, Inc.

STATISTICS
23 Units
2 Stories

Situated on a former industrial site in Chicago’s popular Bucktown community, the intimately scaled buildings of this attached row house development are richly integrated into the historic fabric of the neighborhood through the use of multiple facade designs articulated with familiar limestone and brick materials. The design is focused around a variety of two-story elevations on three unit types over full finished basements with two-car attached garages along the back. Special features include private twenty foot yards and multiple façade designs integrating a reveal to further define each home's identity.

Private Residence

PRIVATE RESIDENCE

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

STATISTICS
3 Stories
5,000 GSF

Conceived as an “urban villa”, the building nearly fills the broadest portion of its triangular lot, allowing the apex, enclosed by stuccoed masonry walls, to be a delightful courtyard. The axis of the apex is a form giver to an elegant plan, which embraces open-air rotunda and terrace. Central to the plan, and echoing the rotunda, is a semi-circular stair which originates as a sinuous curve at the lower level. The interior offers an eclectic but sensitive use of unusual materials, finishes, and details including French limestone slab flooring, tinted plaster and antique woods. Backed by eight-inch concrete masonry bearing walls, two-inch smooth limestone panels lend grand proportions while traditionally profiled trim provides delicate articulation of the simply organized windows and doors. Topped by a grand sculpted cornice projecting nearly two feet, the exterior facades elegantly convey “urban villa” in the truest sense.

AWARDS
Builder’s Choice Design Award, Special Focus, Builder Magazine
Merit Award, Custom Home Design Awards, Builder Magazine

Private Residence

PRIVATE RESIDENCE

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

STATISTICS
3 Stories
3 Parking Spaces
5,000 GSF

This private residence presents a stately response to the challenge of in-fill development in an urban neighborhood. The limestone façade features traditionally profiled details and crisp rustication, topped by a deeply sculpted cornice. This attention to detail carries into the interior, which features an extended height great room at the rear leading through a stone portico to an elegant classical garden, sculpted fireplaces, custom millwork and cabinetry, and a sweeping grand stair to a glassy penthouse with skyline views. The integration of design and craftsmanship at interior, exterior and garden achieves a consistent image of grace and dignity.

Grant Place

GRANT PLACE

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Belgravia Group

STATISTICS
7 Units
4 Stories
19 Parking Spaces
40,660 GSF

Sheathed in expanses of bronze glass, the units range from two to five bedrooms and feature high ceilings and generous floor plans, as well as private outdoor terraces and patios. Common amenities include underground parking, a basketball court and a furnished roof deck with skyline views. A fountain near the entrance, sculptural and planar, expresses a vital simpatico with the building’s minimal vocabulary. The primary façade is divided into two masses; the first floor forms a base and is recessed, allowing space for landscaping, while the upper mass is framed by a rectangle of smooth concrete, each floor being further defined by the thin, cantilevered blade of its own slab.

The Fisher Building

THE FISHER BUILDING

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Fisher Building LLC

ORIGINAL ARCHITECT
Charles Atwood

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
1896

STATISTICS
184 Units
21 Stories
14,000 SF Retail/Commercial
29,500 GSF

Commissioned by paper industry magnate Lucius Fisher for his office headquarters, the neo-Gothic inspired Chicago Landmark building was originally built in 1896 by D.H. Burnham & Company. After an addition was added in 1907, it became one of the tallest and most elegant buildings in the country. By the 1990’s, the building had outlived its usefulness and had fallen into a state of disrepair until it was restored and converted to residential use in early 2000. The highly complex restoration included the replacement of 6,000 pieces of terra cotta, the recreation of both original main entries, and the repair and replacement of 1,200 existing wood windows. On the interior, existing marble walls and floors, mosaic tile floors, and extensive mahogany trim molding and doors were also repaired and faithfully restored.

AWARDS
Chicago Landmark Award for Preservation Excellence, Commission on Chicago Landmarks
Best Restoration, Friends of Downtown, Chicago

The Buckingham Student Center

THE BUCKINGHAM STUDENT CENTER

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Brownstone Realty & Development Co.

ORIGINAL ARCHITECT
Holabird & Root

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
1929

STATISTICS
129 Units
27 Stories
4,680 SF Retail/Commercial
215,000 GSF

The transformation of this Landmark office building for new use as a 129-unit, 456-bed student housing center included the implementation of state-of-the-art building systems as well as the complete restoration of its brick and terracotta clad facade and original Art Deco Lobby. Large single hung windows were installed to take advantage of the expansive views East to Lake Michigan and West to the Loop. Each studio-, one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartment- style unit includes ensuite laundry, a full kitchen and its own HVAC unit. The building offers abundant common areas and premium amenities including a complete fitness center, 27th floor sky lounge and an internet café with WiFi.

AWARDS
Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award, Outstanding Adaptive Use Award, Landmarks Illinois, City of Chicago
Chicago Landmark Award for Preservation Excellence, Commission on Chicago Landmarks, City of Chicago
Finalist, Award for Excellence, Urban Land Institute

Bradley Business Center

BRADLEY BUSINESS CENTER

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Centrum Properties

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
1956

STATISTICS
3 Stories
187 (new) Parking Spaces
355,600 GSF
21 Acres

Located on Chicago’s North Side between I-90/94 and Wrigley Field, Bradley Business Center is a 21-acre commercial redevelopment surrounded by some of the city’s most popular retail and residential districts. The project will include site work and alterations and construction for shell and core improvements to an existing 1950”s era warehouse/manufacturing plant relative to speculative office and light industrial space. Also included are plans to expand the building with a 45,000 sq. ft. greenhouse for commercial farming.

Domain

DOMAIN

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Centrum Properties

ORIGINAL ARCHITECT
Schmidt Gardner

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
1917

STATISTICS
292 Units
12 Stories
1,395 Parking Spaces
1,140,000 GSF

The renovation of this historic former warehouse complex for the Montgomery Wards and Company fulfills a multi-use program, combining a telecom server facility with residential loft-style units, retail spaces, parking, and a riverwalk and marina at the Chicago River. Special features include a 5-story, 16,000-square-foot interior landscaped courtyard carved from the vast interior of the structure, and a roof top running track at the 12th level. The industrial elegance of the original façade is preserved by the use of historic-reproduction windows and stepped-back terraces at a two-story addition to the 9-story structure. The façade at street level is recessed behind round columns in deference to the original railway docks. The curvilinear nature of the residential corridors contrasts the rigid structural grid, visually foreshortening the long halls. A consistent pattern language of design elements at the different lobbies on each floor provides visual landmarks, and counterbalances the rectilinear building envelope.

Museum Park Townhomes

MUSEUM PARK TOWNHOMES

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
The Enterprise Companies
Central Station Development Corp.

STATISTICS
103 Units
4 Stories

Located in the historic Central Station development, just south of Chicago’s Grant Park, the Museum Park townhomes feature a design that embellishes the qualities of older, more established Chicago neighborhoods, while creating a link to the surrounding, gentrifying area. The architecture is reinforced by strong masonry detailing throughout, with the use of contrasting limestone, elaborate corbels, colored mortar, punched accent headers, and traditional Flemish bond coursing. Multiple face brick colors have been used to define corners and create interesting compositions through the use of horizontal limestone banding, and over-sized limestone lintels, and Victorian copper bay windows.

Private Residence

PRIVATE RESIDENCE

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

STATISTICS
2 Stories
2 Parking Spaces
5,000 GSF

Located in the DePaul area of Chicago’s Lincoln Park, this two-story, solid masonry single family home exemplifies the ultimate in modern luxury and sophistication. The contemporary design is evidenced on the main facade of the house, which features solid masonry exterior walls, exposed steel lintels, a striking steel cornice, and a steel and cast stone stair leading to the recessed entry. Once inside, the home features an open main floor plan that includes an over-sized Living / Dining Room, Powder Room, Butlers Pantry, Kitchen, and large Family Room. An ornamental steel, glass, and wood stair leads to the second floor, which includes two en-suite bedrooms and a large Master Bedroom. The lower level includes a large Rec Room and additional bedroom, as well as a mud room that leads to a heated two-car garage. Interior finishes include wide oak flooring, Italian cabinetry in the kitchen and bathrooms, lower level radiant heating, and abundant storage throughout. Exterior features include a tiered rear deck with an overhead steel terrace and built-in planters over the garage, as well as a cantilevered balcony off the second floor Master Bedroom.

Lakeside Bank 2800 North Ashland Avenue

LAKESIDE BANK 2800 NORTH ASHLAND AVENUE

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Lakeside Bank

STATISTICS
2 Stories
15 Parking Spaces
14,000 SF Retail/Commercial

The design of this community-oriented bank facility uniquely balances pedestrian scale architecture with the necessary component of vehicular traffic through the site. Located on a busy intersection, the main entry is expressed as a grand, yet appropriately scaled rotunda. Supporting facades are held close to the sidewalk in keeping with the neighborhood context. Vehicular entry and parking is located to the north of the site. Quality materials and simple detailing reinforce the character of the masonry buildings common to the area. Limestone trim, columns and cornice are well detailed to enhance the presence of the building. The drive-thru component is integrated into the south façade of the building to minimize the impact of vehicular traffic through the site onto surrounding streets. Office and support spaces are located on the second level in order to create a building scale appropriate for the neighborhood.

Plaza 32

PLAZA 32

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Chicago Urban Properties

STATISTICS
140 Units
9 and 4 Stories
240 Parking Spaces
27,000 SF Retail/Commercial

Located in the heart of Chicago’s Near North Side, Plaza 32 features an expansive, landscaped rooftop terrace, which tops an enclosed two level parking structure shared by two residential buildings. One is a 9-story building facing west on Dayton Street and the other is a 4-story building facing east on Halsted Street. Each building includes residential lobbies and service functions. The 4-story building features 27,000 square feet of ground floor and mezzanine level retail space, consistent with the existing streetscape, and 13 condominium units on each of three upper floors. The 9-story building compliments the scale and character of its neighbors and features 13 condominium units on each of eight upper floors. The residential complex offers unusual diversity with 24 different unit types.

Rainbo Village P1-2

RAINBO VILLAGE P1-2

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Rainbo Homes II, LLC

STATISTICS
88 Units
5 Stories
254 Parking Spaces
14,800 SF Retail/Commercial
263,800 GSF
2 Acres

Located on more than two acres in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood, this unique, 3-Phase Planned Development envisions twenty-four different housing styles including townhomes, duplexes, condominiums and lofts. The first two phases of the project include two, five-story, mixed-use buildings, each offering forty-four condominiums with first floor retail and parking.

AWARDS
Gold Key Award, Multi-Housing Land Planning, Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago

St. John’s Park

ST. JOHN’S PARK

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
St. John’s Park LLC

STATISTICS
82 Units
3 Stories
150 Parking Spaces

This planning driven project was designed to address neighborhood shortcomings by introducing solutions that would establish a positive identity for the neighborhood and steer forward growth in the community as a whole. Conditions addressed were a scarcity of protected park space, strong corners and other sturdy identifiers. Red brick and Victorian styling enunciated in the buildings’ details and proportions harmonize with the familiar Chicago vernacular. Articulations in the cornices and masonry, along with an abundance of glass accomplished through stacked windows and transoms, sets the project apart from the often plain speculative developments in many transitional and infill neighborhoods. Each residence has a private front yard, a balcony and a rooftop deck, and access to an expansive, landscaped courtyard in the center of the complex that serves as the focal point of the development.

Park Douglas (P1)

PARK DOUGLAS (P1)

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
B-M Ogden LLC

STATISTICS
137 Units
3 Stories
114 Parking Spaces
188,500 GSF

Located on the Chicago Housing Authority’s former Lawndale Gardens site and scattered infill sites, the 19-building development comprises 60 public housing units, 49 units targeted to low- and moderate income households, and 28 market-rate units. The new buildings are comfortably integrated into the fabric of the existing neighborhood through the use of familiar materials such as face brick and stone, connecting both contemporary and traditional designs. The units incorporate many sustainable features with walls, windows and roofs that exceed city standards for insulation. Each of the buildings has been awarded certification as three stars by the Chicago Green Homes Program (CGHP), and the Management Office, envisioned to be a model for sustainable construction, has attained LEED® Gold Certification.

LEED® Gold Certified

AWARDS
The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Award for Architectural Excellence in Community Design, Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards
Pride in Construction Award, Residential Construction, Construction Industry Service Corporation (CISCO)

Arlington Downs

ARLINGTON DOWNS

LOCATION
Arlington Heights, Illinois

CLIENT
Stoneleigh Companies
Stonestreet Partners

STATISTICS
400+ Units
125,000 SF Retail/Commercial
1,300,000 GSF
25 Acres

STATUS
Unbuilt

Situated on a nearly 25-acre site just west of Arlington Park International Racetrack in Arlington Heights, the $250 million mixed-use redevelopment is envisioned to include luxury high-rise residential apartments, hotels, retail and restaurants. The project proposes to be built in phases over the next five years, starting with the conversion of the former 427-room Sheraton Hotel tower into a 214 unit luxury apartment building. Subsequent phases will include at least one new hotel, two additional rental apartment towers, retail stores and restaurants. The development’s strategic location offers convenient access to Chicago O’Hare Airport, rail and bus commuter systems, and major expressways.

Museum Park Lofts I

MUSEUM PARK LOFTS I

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
The Enterprise Companies
Central Station Development Corp.

STATISTICS
149 Units
15 Stories
151 Parking Spaces
283,300 GSF

The rhythmic brick column base, integrated with a steel lattice grid provides the framework for a green landscaped wall. Each façade of the body of the building has a balanced and symmetrical arrangement divided by central balconies with sleek stainless steel vertical stanchions and alternating corner balconies to lighten the form’s edge. The two-story, floor-to-ceiling glass penthouse units and over-sized horizontal roof plane cap the building design. On the interior, ten foot ceilings and exposed duct and brickwork reflect the rehabbed, industrial spaces characteristic of early loft rehabs.

Old Town Square (P1 & 2) and Old Town Village East (P3)

OLD TOWN SQUARE (P1 & 2) AND OLD TOWN VILLAGE EAST (P3)

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
MCL Companies

STATISTICS
264 Units
305 Parking Spaces
469,300 GSF
4.06 Acres

This 4.06-acre infill Planned Development serves as the residential anchor of one of the North Side’s most vibrant neighborhoods. The ambitious, three-phase, mixed-housing project evolved hand-in-hand with a large-scale commercial revitalization effort that included a new public school and park construction. The project’s 264 residential units are distributed among low-rise, mid-rise and walk-up buildings, and attached townhouses. The architecture throughout each of the building types is classic Chicago Style Victorian, richly articulated with red brick colors and limestone details.

AWARDS
Gold Key Award, Excellence in Housing Design, from the Home Builders of Greater Chicago

Museum Park Tower III

MUSEUM PARK TOWER III

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
The Enterprise Companies
Central Station Development Corp.

STATISTICS
216 Units
26 Stories
302 Parking Spaces
477,000 GSF

Finalizing the composition of the three classically styled Museum Park towers, the building design reaches tall to anchor the northeast position of the site. Its orientation towards Lake Michigan helps to reinforce the urban grid, while respecting waterfront views from its neighboring towers. An expressive copper cladding top, acting like a horizontal spine to hide the building’s infrastructure, directs the eye back to the building’s taller, colonnaded banquet room at the leading east edge of the tower. The building offers a variety of floor plans with units ranging from 848 square feet to 3,149 square feet.

Orchard Park

ORCHARD PARK

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Chicago Dwelling Association

STATISTICS
54 Units
3 Stories
54 Parking Spaces
157,900 GSF
3.6 Acres

Located on Chicago’s near North Side, this ground-breaking development was the first privately-owned for sale, mixed-income community in the nation built on land leased from a public housing authority (Chicago Housing Authority). Situated on a 3.6 acre site that was formerly an expansive lawn in front of the neighboring (CHA) Flannery Homes, a major design challenge was to successfully integrate the new townhomes with an existing senior housing high-rise building, while also taking into consideration the existing population in the adjacent Flannery Homes. The site plan carefully organized the various residences to promote safety and quality of life enhancement, utilizing common areas and open green spaces to distinguish each component. Public housing units were evenly distributed throughout the development, indistinguishable from the market-rate units. Simple architectural configurations, brick with inset detailing, alternating colors, limestone accents, and professional landscaping produce a housing form that is functional, affordable, and aesthetically pleasing.

Emerson Square

EMERSON SQUARE

LOCATION
Evanston, Illinois

CLIENT
Brinshore Development

STATISTICS
60 Units
5 Acres

A sweeping two-phase redevelopment of a former brownfield site, Emerson Square is the anchor for the City of Evanston’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program and the West Evanston Master Plan. Phase I will create thirty-two rental townhomes with one-to-three bedrooms in six buildings, while Phase II will add twenty-eight apartments on an adjacent site. Both phases when complete will provide a total of sixty homes and apartments on five acres around a central park, in a setting designed to harmonize with the surrounding neighborhood.

AWARDS
Good Neighbor Award, Suburban, Chicago Association of Realtors

565 West Quincy Street

565 WEST QUINCY STREET

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
c. 1925 and c. 1955

STATISTICS
241 Units
18 Stories
189 Parking Spaces
9,800 SF Retail/Commercial
382,700 GSF

This unique adaptive re-use development involved merging a new eleven story modern steel and glass tower construction on top of an existing seven story brick and concrete building that had been erected in two phases in the 1920’s and 1950’s. The new and old masses converge at the eight floor, where the top of the existing building has been converted into a rooftop patio and sundeck with kitchen. The tower’s hanging balconies, patterned to match the facade color and material change, serve to further integrate the two forms. An 11,000-square-foot basement amenity level includes a fitness center, lounge, games room, putting green, movie theater and center-piece 2-lane bowling alley. Ground floor retail, parking and lobby space anchor the structure contextually and provide a dynamic street presence.

AWARDS
Gold Key Award, Outstanding Design in Community Design and Planning - Best Overall Community, Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago
Gold Key Award, Outstanding Design in Community Design and Planning - Amenity Design, Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago

Museum Park Lofts II

MUSEUM PARK LOFTS II

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
The Enterprise Companies
Central Station Development Corp.

STATISTICS
202 Units
21 Stories
228 Parking Spaces
6,400 SF Retail/Commercial
355,300 GSF

The base along Michigan Avenue reinforces pedestrian-friendly activities while camouflaging the building’s parking structure. Warehouse-like punched openings along the building’s north end are juxtaposed with its modern counterpart of an over-sized glass façade and grand terraces to the south. An architectural blue fin frames and defines the building’s individual components, while a striking modern foil-like roof completes the building’s composition. Amenities include an exercise room, sun deck and a party room.

Federal Square

FEDERAL SQUARE

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Thrush Development

STATISTICS
118 Units
3 Stories
189 Parking Spaces
138,700 GSF

The design intent of this development was to create the highest possible density with the smallest townhouse module to address entry-level purchasers. Simplifications of architectural forms detailed in a monochromatic fashion unify the high-density solution and create contrast for the heavily landscaped greenways that link the street to the interior townhouses.

Lincoln Park Commons

LINCOLN PARK COMMONS

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
The Enterprise Companies

STATISTICS
60 Units
5 Stories
169 Parking Spaces
32,100 SF Retail/Commercial
179,500 GSF

Located along a busy commercial corridor within the heart of Chicago’s Lincoln Park, the mixed-use development comprises condominium apartments, single-family homes and retail spaces. The retail and condominium structure is articulated in traditional brick and limestone with sweeping bays, turreted corners, and building setbacks that pay homage to the community’s landmark architecture and provide a pedestrian scale. Three stories of condominiums rest above a tall, one-story retail base with a heated underground parking garage extending beneath. Entry to the parking garage is from the north end of the site through the adjacent senior’s building. Other building features include a private residential lobby, private walk-out balconies or terraces from each unit, a club-quality fitness center, individual storage rooms and bicycle facilities.

Belle Plaine Commons

BELLE PLAINE COMMONS

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
NorthCenter Associates, LLC

STATISTICS
97 Units
5 Stories
112 Parking Spaces
141,000 GSF

Located in the North Center Neighborhood, this senior housing condominium development offers underground parking, community room, library, fitness center, and private balconies or terraces. The project’s traditional style architecture is distinguished by an all masonry façade, including entrance canopy and deeply sculpted cornice. Seated in landscaped grounds, the development is adjacent to two new community parks with fountains and seating areas.

AWARDS
Livable Communities Award, AARP and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)

Larrabee Commons

LARRABEE COMMONS

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Larrabee Commons Partners

STATISTICS
49 Units
3 Stories
88 Parking Spaces
108,000 GSF
2.5 Acres

Nearly two-thirds of a city block, this 2.5-acre site achieves both high urban density and expansive green space. With density enhanced by construction above an intimately scaled auto court, three-story townhome units front both exterior streets and a serene, secluded, interior commons. Concrete masonry is used to express the unusual variety of unit configurations derived from the plan, with brick, stone, and delicate steel details yielding visually rich compositions.

AWARDS
Builder’s Choice Merit Award, Builder Magazine
Silver Award, Excellence in Masonry, Illinois Indiana Masonry Council
Design Award, National Concrete Masonry Association

Luminaire

LUMINAIRE

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Luminaire

STATISTICS
2 Levels Stories
15,000 GSF

The showroom’s interior architecture is conceived as a sequence of interrelated sculptural elements. Spatial relationships, created through dislocation of form and axial alignment, influence customer use of space and clue one into its bi-level organization. These elements, an entry bridge and portal, central stair, and cash counter, establish a decidedly understated and discrete counterpoint to the display of the store’s high style furniture and architectural accessories. Transcending style, the image is modernist, purposely minimal, but precisely detailed.

Kinzie Park

KINZIE PARK

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
The Enterprise Companies

STATISTICS
82 Townhouse and 54 Midrise Units
3 and 7 Stories
195 and 61 Parking Spaces
256,800 and 99,000 GSF

This former industrial site includes a river-walk, strategically placed fountains, distinctive lighting, elegant paving, and detailed landscaping. The master plan responds to difficult urban edges, shielding itself from intense rail lines and major arterials while opening itself to the river edge. The site plan organizes townhouses around two brick-paved interior streets, creating a quiet enclave of traditional masonry and stone facades. Differentiation through variations in material and detail emphasize individual personality while maintaining a unified whole.

Pappageorge Haymes Partners

PAPPAGEORGE HAYMES PARTNERS

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Pappageorge Haymes Partners

STATISTICS
13,000 GSF

The architectural firm transformed the fourth floor of a nondescript former automotive sales building into a new studio space. Clearly organized within the existing structural framework, the design features low partitions, large “teaming” tables and bold paint colors. The exposed mechanical and structural systems are revealed between floating acoustical “clouds” which organize the ductwork, sprinkler and lighting systems while helping to control noise within the highly interactive studio environment. The “open studio” design utilizes eco-friendly features that include light fixtures on daylight sensors that dim lights according to available sunlight, sustainable carpeting, energy efficient lighting fixtures and controls, an innovative mechanical system designed to eliminate supplemental heating, “cradle to cradle” gold certified seating and sustainable office systems furniture, LED task lighting, and day-lighting available to every office and workstation.

Metropolitan Tower

METROPOLITAN TOWER

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Metropolitan Properties of Chicago, LLC

ORIGINAL ARCHITECT
Graham, Anderson, Probst & White

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
1924

STATISTICS
242 Units
30 Stories
290 Parking Spaces
36,000 SF Retail/Commercial
710,000 GSF

An ambitious adaptive re-use project transformed an obsolete office building into a mixed-use facility integrating retail, parking spaces and luxury residential condominiums at an important downtown Chicago site overlooking Grant and Millennium parks. While introducing these new uses, the building conversion preserved the limestone-clad facade, the blue lit beehive dome, and the opulent bronze-and-marble lobby. To satisfy residential code, the building required extensive access modifications, including a single elevator serving all floors. In-depth study revealed only one location option which mandated a new freestanding enclosure behind the existing tower, detailed to address landmark district requirements. The conversion also incorporated 318 S. Michigan Avenue, an adjacent seven-story, timber-frame terra cotta-clad structure dating from 1899.

AWARDS
Vision Award, Historic Redevelopment, Urban Land Institute Chicago

Chicago Landmark Award for Preservation Excellence, Commission on Chicago Landmarks, City of Chicago

Best Adaptive Re-use Award, Friends of Downtown (Chicago)

Arc at Old Colony

ARC AT OLD COLONY

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Campus/MCJ Development JV, LLC

ORIGINAL ARCHITECT
Holabird and Roche

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
1894

STATISTICS
137 Units
17 Stories
7,000 SF Retail/Commercial
187,000 GSF

Built in 1893, the 17-story building is a pioneering Chicago skyscraper of skeletal construction with a supported masonry enclosure and floors resting on spread footings. It was designed by Holabird & Roche over a single weekend charette with the Monadnock Annex, Marquette and Chaplain Buildings. When the renovation started, the building had a 60% vacancy rate, 4 of six elevators non-operational, terra cotta facade condition problems, 653 non-functional monumental wood windows, a failed roof and one open stairwell for the only interior fire exit. The 198ksf renovation has 137 dwellings with ground level retail. A Penthouse facility with terrace were added and compliment the 2nd floor restored banking offices, now used for administration and gathering space. Two fire escapes were removed from the east facade. A second interior enclosed stair from Basement to Roof was added. Other life safety improvements include a fire alarm and sprinkler system, diesel emergency generator, and emergency lighting and voice communication systems. Historic corridor windows and glass doors were upgraded with a fire rated overlay to separate the dwellings and stairs from the corridor. Elevators were repaired using original bronze and iron grilles.

Chicago Landmark Building
National Register of Historic Places

AWARDS
J. Timothy Anderson Awards for Excellence in Historic Rehabilitation, from the National Housing & Rehabilitation Association

Preservation Excellence Award, from the Commission on Chicago Landmarks

Silver Award, Reconstruction Awards, Building Design + Construction Magazine

Merit Award, Adaptive Re-use, Chicago Building Congress

Finalist, Vision Awards, Urban Land Institute Chicago

Nominated, UNESCO World Heritage Site

116 South Michigan Avenue

116 SOUTH MICHIGAN AVENUE

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Horwitz & Company

ORIGINAL ARCHITECT
Jenney, Mundie & Jensen

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
1906, 1912

STATISTICS
17 Stories
27,000 SF Retail/Commercial
100,000 GSF

Originally known as Chicago’s Municipal Court Building (aka The Lake View Building), the structure was designed by Jenney, Mundie & Jensen and built in 1906 at twelve stories high, on caissons. Five additional stories and a vaulted lobby ceiling were added in 1912 in a bid to attract new tenants. The building was renamed the 116 S. Michigan Avenue Building and converted for modern first-class office space in 1986. Extensive rehabilitation brought the building back to its original turn-of-the-century grandeur, with complete restoration of the ornately decorated marble lobby and two wrought iron staircases. Other major improvements include new high speed passenger elevators, a new freight elevator, new bathrooms for each floor, thermopane windows, a new energy efficient HVAC system, and upgraded electrical and plumbing systems. On the facade of the narrow, glazed terra cotta building, two new columns are placed to visually support the structure and relate it to the existing streetscape, while a new store front and entry are detailed in a manner sympathetic to the original construction.

National Register of Historic Places

The Edge

THE EDGE

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Adams-Des Plaines L.L.C.

STATISTICS
48 abd 176 Units
5 and 16 Stories
279 Parking Spaces
13,000 SF Retail/Commercial
353,000 GSF

This renovation/new construction project merges two separate building components: an existing concrete industrial/office building and a new residential tower construction. A five story, L-shaped portion of the existing structure is maintained and renovated for lofts while approximately fifty percent of the rear of the building is demolished and replaced with a new parking structure. The original building functions as a “base” for the new contemporary tower, and also serves to mask the parking garage. The newly transformed complex both respects its historic antecedents and presents a dynamic corner presence that contributes to the evolving fabric of the surrounding neighborhood.

Source, Inc.

SOURCE, INC.

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Source, Inc.

STATISTICS
3 Stories
14,000 GSF

This office and studio space for a prominent product and packaging design firm is located in the top three floors of a renovated sixteen-story vintage Michigan Avenue office building. Consideration for the duality of the business versus creative aspects of this company and the ease of communication between floors prompted its architectural solution. Sophisticated corporate imagery meets “loft” like studio space with a common theme of white translucent panels in an industrial metal frame. Two new stairways of open steel construction provide dramatic counterpoints and lead users and visitors to mystical “idea rooms” situated beneath skylights thrusting through the roof.

The Shops & Lofts at 47

THE SHOPS & LOFTS AT 47

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
The Community Builders
Skilken Properties / Troy Enterprises

STATISTICS
96 Units
5 and 3 Stories
94 Parking Spaces
55,000 SF Retail/Commercial
202,000 GSF

The project involves the complete redevelopment of an entire city block in the Cottage Grove Corridor of Chicago, encompassing a large mixed-use building on the key corner, three new 3-story infill residential buildings, and the redevelopment of a 3-story condo building. The main building includes a 41,000 square foot Walmart Neighborhood Market and 14,000 square feet of neighborhood convenience retail space on the ground floor, parking on the second floor, and mixed-income apartments on the upper three levels. The building embraces the busy urban intersection flanking both Cottage Grove and 47th Street, with parking and secondary entrances accessed from the courtyard side of the building. The facade is enlivened with a combination of cast stone, brick, glass and metal panels, creating a contemporary composition while maintaining the scale and rhythm of the existing neighborhood.

AWARDS
Merit Award, New Construction, the Chicago Building Congress (CBC)
Project of the Year, Grand Award (Mixed-Income), Hanley Wood Multifamily Executive (MFE) Magazine
Outstanding For-Profit Neighborhood Real Estate Project, the Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards/LISC Chicago
Finalist, Vision Awards, Urban Land Institute Chicago

University Village

UNIVERSITY VILLAGE

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
South Campus Development Team

STATISTICS
147 Units
3 Stories
16.4 Acres

Located just south of the University of Illinois at Chicago, University Village is an expansive redevelopment project designed to help revitalize the city’s Near West Side. The complex of townhouses and condominiums exists within a pedestrian-friendly framework of tree-lined public streets, lushly landscaped greenways and three strategically placed neighborhood parks. Patterned after vintage Chicago styles, and utilizing human-scaled materials and varying rooflines, the architecture bespeaks both respect for the past and anticipation for the future. Gracefully delineated, the buildings turn the corner and form interesting outdoor spaces anchored by expressive round turret bays. Highly articulated entries of masonry and stone, articulated stone accents, brick cornice detailing, brick arches, patterned Flemish bond accents and corbelled bays are employed to evoke the rich architectural heritage of the community.

AWARDS
City Development of the Year, from the Chicago Sun-Times

Sauganash Place

SAUGANASH PLACE

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Peterson Cicero L.L.C.

STATISTICS
61 Units
5 Stories
260 Parking Spaces
40,400 SF Retail/Commercial
218,000 GSF

Part of a multi-phased, mixed-use residential and retail environment, the cast stone and brick veneer building includes a Whole Foods Market on the ground floor with residential condominiums located above. On grade and basement parking is provided for the store patrons. Resident parking is above the store but screened from view by residential units.

1800 North Clybourn

1800 NORTH CLYBOURN

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Horwitz-Matthews

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
c. 1910

STATISTICS
3 Stories
150 Parking Spaces
190,000 GSF

This dramatic renovation of seven interconnected heavy timber industrial loft buildings into a unique shopping and entertainment mall utilizes the monochromatic but varied compositional character of existing background structures while new architectural devices draw the user through a variety of spatial and visual experiences. Placed within a 3-level core distinguished by a skylight truss roof, retail becomes theater through the playful use of ramps, stairs, bridges, pavilions, water, sound, landscaping, color and other materials juxtaposed within the quiet background of the original structures.

The Richelieu Flats

THE RICHELIEU FLATS

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Metropolitan Properties of Chicago, LLC

ORIGINAL ARCHITECT
Hessen- Mueller & Meldahi

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
1885

STATISTICS
5 Units
8 Stories
10,600 SF Retail/Commercial
26,000 GSF

The Richelieu’s contiguity with the historical Michigan Avenue Streetwall commanded a painstaking restoration of the building’s terra cotta façade and partial preservation of the original timber-framed structure. Sited on a deep lot which is not conducive to full residential use, the rear two-thirds of the structure was demolished and re-built as a concrete parking structure available to both the Metropolitan Tower and Richelieu Flats. The front one-third of the original structure facing Grant Park was rehabilitated for use as a two-story retail space on ground level, luxury residential flats on floors 3-6, and a luxury duplex dwelling on the 7th and new 8th Floor. The new 8th floor, which serves the top level of the duplex penthouse unit, is a contemporary steel and glass structure set back from the building’s original façade. This setback offers a large private terrace overlooking Grant Park, and preserves the building’s original cornice line.

BMT Design 2

BMT DESIGN 2

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
BMT Design

STATISTICS
1 Stories
18,000 GSF

Originally used as a commercial photography studio, the existing bowstring truss building offered a large, open and light-filled space for the playful and inventive build-out for preeminent toy designer, Big Monster Toys (BMT). Entered through a large translucent glass door, a galvanized steel clad “egg” shaped presentation room illustrates the key function of the company as an incubator of ideas. Inside the “egg”, a round conference room table anchors one end of the room where projects are demonstrated for clients. The glass-enclosed partner offices ring the perimeter of the open studio space, enlivened by an eclectic mix of elements and finishes, including a full size mock-up of a caboose that functions as a kitchenette, a suspended model train, stained concrete floors and custom workstations that are festooned with the designers’ inventions.

Banco Popular 3948 West 55th Street

BANCO POPULAR 3948 WEST 55TH STREET

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
55th & Pulaski, LLC

STATISTICS
One Level Stories
36 Parking Spaces
3,000 SF Retail/Commercial

Prior to expansion into the Chicago market, Banco Popular facilities were developed mostly from existing bank buildings. This project was one in a series of new Banco Popular branches designed over a two-year span. With no established prototype design requirements from Banco Popular, the project’s unique identity was largely determined by the physical constraints and context of the site. The challenge of this site was that it was one lot inboard from the desired prime corner location. To compensate for this condition, the design for the bank incorporates a prominent tower feature, with a dramatic vaulted roofline, to emphasize the bank’s entrance and identity. The balance of the building’s street frontage is composed of broad, tall, window openings promoting a visible, and inviting connection between the interior bank activities and the heavily traveled street and intersection outside.

Washington Square

WASHINGTON SQUARE

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Horwitz & Company

ORIGINAL ARCHITECT
Joseph C. Llewellyn

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
1910

STATISTICS
6 Stories
96 Parking Spaces
28,000 SF Retail/Commercial
200,000 GSF

In its conversion to a first class office building, the eastern façade of the antiquated warehouse is entirely reconstructed. Translucent capitals crown over-scaled masonry columns on a field of blue-green glass as the building’s orientation shifts towards Chicago’s Loop. Directly adjacent, a three-level addition contains retail and parking. A translation of the original structure, its skin replicates perimeter rhythm and masonry as an arcade. The entry procession commences through a colonnade of stone and lighted glass block columns. Passing through the cross axis of a skylight galleria demarcating old and new, one ascends to the centralized lobby. The composition of masonry stone, terrazzo, brass and glass presents historical familiarity and yet enticing surprise.

AWARDS
International Illumination Design Award, Edwin F. Guth Memorial Award of Excellence, Illuminating Engineering Society (IES)
Honor Award, National Association of Industrial and Office Properties Design Awards

Shaw’s Crab House

SHAW'S CRAB HOUSE

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Lettuce Entertain You, Inc.

STATISTICS
12,000 GSF

River North’s premier seafood house is designed to feel as if it has been in business for one-hundred years. Playing off the loft aesthetic of the building, exposed beams and columns lend important cues to this nostalgic environment. The project includes a reception area, bar and lounge, main dining room and a more casual raw bar.

Oakley Square Apartments

OAKLEY SQUARE APARTMENTS

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
The Community Builders, Inc.

STATISTICS
247 Units
2 and 7 Stories
179 Parking Spaces
280,000 GSF

PHOTOGRAPHY
Photographs courtesy of The Community Builders, Inc.

The project involves the complete rehabilitation and renovation of an existing development which provides 247 fully reappointed affordable housing units, including 3 bedroom, 2-story town homes and 1 and 2 bedroom apartment units in two seven story mid-rise buildings. The project also offers 5,500 square feet of amenity space for use in continuing education, outreach services, after school activities and community gatherings. The entire site, which comprises a full city block at South Western Avenue and West Jackson Boulevard, has received a reinvention of its landscape and hardscape. Of note is a more welcoming and pedestrian friendly main entrance and softer courtyard spaces. Design and selections throughout the project revolve around promoting a warm and lively residential atmosphere.

AWARDS
Vision Award, Urban Land Institute Chicago (ULI)
Polk Bros. Foundation Affordable Rental Housing Preservation Award, Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards

Wings Metro

WINGS METRO

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
GSDC

STATISTICS
40 Beds, 14 Interim Units, 3 Apartment Units
2 Stories
20 Parking Spaces
4,000 SF Retail/Commercial
23,200 GSF

The multi-dimensional program for this domestic violence shelter included the adaptive re-use of a 2-story vacated masonry building and the construction of a new 14,000 sq. ft., 2-story annex. The facility’s suite-based layout is designed to maximize privacy at a critical time of transition while retaining communal space for cooking, dining, working and children’s play areas. The ground floor of the complex is occupied by service and support functions, including meeting rooms, offices, a multi-purpose room, computer lab, and dining and state-of-the-art kitchen. Also at ground level is 4,000 sq. ft. of available space for retail and commercial uses envisioned to generate income to support programs for employment opportunities and/or job training for residents. The second floor houses the interim and permanent apartment units, including common laundry facilities and a lounge/activities center. The dining and lounge areas open to a large, secure garden courtyard and outdoor play space. The facility provides on-site access to vital and comprehensive social services, such as safety planning, legal services, support groups, and employment assistance to foster stability and self-sufficiency within the community.

AWARDS
Chicago Innovation Award

The Law Offices of Bartlit, Beck, Herman and Palenchar

THE LAW OFFICES OF BARTLIT, BECK, HERMAN AND PALENCHAR

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Bartlit, Beck, Herman and Palenchar

STATISTICS
4.5 Stories
40,000 GSF

The progression from the elegantly proportioned traditional envelope to the inner core, which is reduced to geometric forms and materials, reveals the firm’s emphasis on a streamlined, interactive method of practice. The exterior shell of the building was left untouched, while historic references were simplified or completely stripped away on the interior spaces. Common brick record storage vaults were exposed and rendered in a contemporary manner at the center of the plan, reinforcing the image of strength, stability and permanence at the core of the company. Central to the concept is the “forum” space which simulates a regulation size basketball half-court, creating an informal atmosphere conducive to creative thinking. An exercise room and a full size mock-courtroom, complete with a jury box, were program elements added as the firm expanded.

AWARDS
Citation of Merit for Interior Architecture, American Institute of Architecture, Chicago Chapter

Oakwood Shores Community Center

OAKWOOD SHORES COMMUNITY CENTER

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
The Community Builders, Inc.

STATISTICS
1 Stories
4,000 GSF

The design of this contemporary, multipurpose recreation and community facility achieves a unique dynamic between the interior and exterior spaces. The building incorporates an urban “loft” feel through the use of exposed structural elements, finished concrete flooring and metal/wood accents to standard Drywall finishes. The plan includes an activity/presentation area and interior cafe and lounge area where social events may be hosted and small groups may conduct meetings, craft circles, do homework, and other activities. Outside cooking grills and event area combine with lush gardens to seamlessly integrate all spaces and weave the project into the neighborhood landscape.

Hoyt’s Chicago

HOYT’S CHICAGO

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Wyndham Worldwide

STATISTICS
6,300 GSF

Located on the first level of the newly renovated Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront (formerly known as Hotel 71), this dynamic dining destination offers creative, locally sourced twists on traditional tavern fare. Anchored by a bar, the sleek, contemporary restaurant features twelve-foot ceilings, a glass-front wall, and a seasonal outdoor patio area overlooking the Chicago River. Special amenities include an intimate, private River Room for special events.

The 65th Infantry Borinqueneers Apartments

THE 65TH INFANTRY BORINQUENEERS APARTMENTS

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Hispanic Housing Development Corp.

STATISTICS
49 Units
4 Stories
38 Parking Spaces
62,000 GSF

Named in honor of the ‘Borinqueneers’ unit in the United States Army, the 49-unit complex serves as a transitional bridge helping to re-integrate homeless and at-risk veterans with their families and their community. Located across from Chicago’s historic Humboldt Park, the 4-story structure occupies a former surface parking lot and fills the once missing space in the street-front, blending with nearby 2- to 4-story grey-stone dwellings and the 6-story Norwegian American Hospital (NAH) complex. There is convenient access to healthcare, public transportation, and neighborhood retail in addition to community gardens and recreation activities of the park. The housing opportunity provides stability and serves to stimulate a neighborhood hospital that also generates benefits for the larger community. The project was the result of ongoing efforts between the community residents, stakeholders and the NAH, who also donated the land.

The ‘L’ shaped building plan fronts the park and sits against the north edge of the site. A tree lined, brick paved space provides part time parking and public event space. The geometry strategy reduces the bulk of the building and similarly the parking scale. The facade presents a regimented composition of overlapping face brick, metal panels, and colored composition panels punctuated by grouped window patterns compatible to neighboring structures. Natural lighting of all occupied spaces and corridors boosts the user spirit. Accessible features are emphasized throughout in deference to mobility impairments. The ground floor includes spaces for community meetings, management, counseling and training. These services activate adjacent public space and reinforce connections to neighbors and residents. The building program implements Enterprise Green Communities standards for sustainability, including green roofs, bio-swales for stormwater management, enhanced insulation, high efficiency HVAC systems, and a rooftop solar array.

AWARDS
Vision Award, Urban Land Institute Chicago
Silver Award, Brick in Architecture Awards, The Brick Industry Association
Finalist, Richard H. Driehaus Non-Profit Real Estate Project Award, Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards
Finalist, Richard H. Driehaus Architectural Excellence Award, Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards
Finalist, Pillars of the Industry Award, National Association of Home Builders

Lakeside Bank 1055 West Roosevelt Road

LAKESIDE BANK 1055 WEST ROOSEVELT ROAD

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Lakeside Bank

ORIGINAL ARCHITECT
Tigerman McCurry Architects

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
1978

STATISTICS
2 Stories
22 Parking Spaces
32,000 GSF

The closely supervised renovation process for the award-winning Illinois Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped insured all changes were carefully measured to sympathize with the building’s primary forms and essential character, while meeting the needs of its new commercial occupant. The exterior was repainted neutral white with blue accents, befitting its new use and matching the bank’s brand colors. The east wall’s metal panels were replaced by a glass curtain wall, matching their dimensions and rhythm exactly, allowing the signature wave-form window facing South Blue Island Boulevard to be retained. The drive-up canopy was derived from “found” design attributes of the existing structure, in which curved forms and circles are a dominant theme.

The Roosevelt Hotel

THE ROOSEVELT HOTEL

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Frankel & Giles

ORIGINAL ARCHITECT
Jules de Horvath

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
1892

STATISTICS
42 Units
8 Stories
4,275 SF Retail/Commercial
35,500 GSF

An existing 8-story plus basement masonry and wood hotel structure was renovated for student housing use after sitting vacant for eight years. Extensive repair of the facade was needed to address deterioration. The reinforcement of the structure was in need of special attention as a result of internal structural changes made in the 1920’s when Roosevelt Road was raised to overpass State Street. Restoration of Roosevelt Road to grade level in 1990 allowed the recreation of the missing ornate limestone and glass storefront above which are rental dwellings overlooking Dearborn Park and the lakefront.

National Register of Historic Places.

Haberdasher Square

HABERDASHER SQUARE

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
American Invsco

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
1910, 1925, 1937

STATISTICS
234 Units
12 Stories
250 Parking Spaces
460,000 GSF

This multi-phase residential loft conversion incorporates two existing structures situated in Chicago’s bustling downtown area. The larger of the two structures is a 12-story reinforced concrete building, originally executed at 7-stories in a Neo-Gothic style in 1925 for the A. B. Dick Company and expanded in 1937 to its present height. An adjacent 8-story heavy timber structure which dates from 1910 was renovated as Phase Two of the project. The design incorporates dwellings whose interior spaces are unified around a sweeping curved wall and soffit. This device at once defines all the major uses while serving to visually organize and affirm the character of a large singular interior room into which uses are placed. Twelve foot ceilings and careful organization of pipes and ductwork serve to further define space and allow natural light to reach the most remote points. Central corridors are organized to create a sense of movement through and around sculpted objects of existing structure or new construction. The building lobby begins with a restored entry and vestibule of rich bronze travertine and plaster sculpture moldings. The bold gothic inspired design serves to enrich the entry and become the counterpoint against which the new interior lobby and corridors are derived.

Private Residence

PRIVATE RESIDENCE

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

This two-story plus basement custom single family residence takes a commanding presence on a corner lot in Chicago’s vintage Lincoln Park neighborhood. With its oblique siting and richly articulated Italianate masonry facade, the traditional four square planning, high ceilings and ordered window fenestration overlay contemporary uses and result in a home that remains private while filled with light and views. A millwork staircase is an ornamental focal point contrasted by modern audiovisual equipment and contemporary kitchen amenities, which compliment the modern urban lifestyle. Private outdoor patios extend indoor spaces over an attached garage, and a rooftop terrace provides a place of retreat with views to the nearby lakefront and downtown skyline.

University Station

UNIVERSITY STATION

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
New West Realty Group

ORIGINAL ARCHITECT
Henschien & McLaren

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
1929

STATISTICS
231 Units
12 Stories
236 Parking Spaces
9,200 SF Retail/Commercial
343,000 GSF

Located on Chicago’s near West Side, this historic cold storage warehouse has been completely renovated for loft style dwellings with interior parking, ground level retail and a new twelfth floor addition setback to preserve the original cornice line. The unique concrete structure employed a double slab wall and floor system sandwiching an 8” layer of cork insulation. Challenged by large windowless walls on three sides, the team worked closely with local, State and National authorities to determine appropriate modifications that respected the preservation regulations and the local building codes. Significant historic components include the Art Deco terracotta and concrete facades, the original terracotta lobby and decorative metal elevator car, and reconstruction of a missing water tower in fiberglass to conceal cell phone antennas previously mounted to the facades. Extensive structural repairs were also required to address deterioration brought on by the leaking brine building refrigeration system. Landlocked between two major elevated railways, the project required careful planning for emergency vehicle access through the building utilizing the internal loading berths.

420 North Wabash

420 NORTH WABASH

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Horwitz-Matthews

ORIGINAL ARCHITECT
Julius and Oscar P. Spever

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
1905

STATISTICS
7 Stories
110,000 GSF

The total renovation and remodeling of this existing heavy timber, mill-constructed loft warehouse into a first-class office-retail building included the relocation of stairs, elevators, and new mechanical systems. The integration of the corporate office imagery with that of a converted loft building was achieved with a glass curtain wall cut into the building’s masonry facade. A new vertical slice of the exterior wall dramatizes the relocated entry and leads visitors to the axial, processional Art Deco style lobby. The sequence is further developed with aluminum reveals, marble flooring, and chrome ductwork. A glass enclosed stairwell connects the retail spaces on the street levels.

AWARDS
Citation of Merit for Interior Architecture, American Institute of Architects, Chicago Chapter

Motley School Apartments

MOTLEY SCHOOL APARTMENTS

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Svigos Development, Inc.

ORIGINAL ARCHITECT
John Flanders

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
1884

STATISTICS
34 Units
4 Stories
16 Parking Spaces
50,625 GSF

PHOTOGRAPHY
Darris Harris
Pappageorge Haymes Partners

The residential conversion of the historic Motley Elementary School, a 4-story masonry building on Chicago’s near West Side, includes the conversion into 34 residential apartments with attached interior parking, a new roof terrace, and elevator providing service to each level. To comply with historic Federal Tax Credit requirements, the project retains its Renaissance Revival masonry details in traditional red pressed-brick, limestone, and pressed metal. Ornate cast iron stairs, raised panel wood doors and portals, bead-board wainscott, first growth hardwood floors, glass transoms and cabinetry are among the many other materials and character defining original features retained and integrated into the completed project.

Chicago Landmark Building

AWARDS
Bronze Award, Adaptive Reuse, Best in American Living Award, National Association of Home Builders
Excellence Award, Adaptive Re-use, Multi-housing News
Finalist, Adaptive Re-use, Chicago Commercial Real Estate Awards

Pullman Park

PULLMAN PARK

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives

STATISTICS
1,150 Units
670,000 SF Retail/Commercial
7,900,000 GSF
182 Acres

Pullman Park is envisioned to be a sustainable, mixed-use development that provides vital retail services, diverse recreational opportunities, and quality housing to the greater Pullman and Roseland Communities on the South Side of Chicago. The design sensibility honors the historic location, and by making steps to enhance the existing physical environment, Pullman Park will establish a new and vibrant community that enriches the lives of current and future residents, neighbors, and visitors. The master plan is comprised of several distinct districts with retail and housing arranged to encourage interaction and walkability. The centerpiece of the plan is a new ten-acre park encouraged by a street framework whose boulevards link the park to each of the plan’s key nodes.

AWARDS
Honorable Mention, Congress for the New Urbanism, Illinois Chapter

Kinzie Park Mid-Rise

KINZIE PARK MID-RISE

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
The Enterprise Companies

STATISTICS
54 Units
7 Stories
61 Parking Spaces
99,000 GSF

The seven story masonry mid-rise building acts as a visual gateway to the townhouse community of Kinzie Park, bringing a strongly anchored form to busy Kinzie Street. Highly articulated, the building uses offsets to deftly incorporate balconies while reducing the appearance to bulk and mass. A stone base gives way to walls made of Norman brick above the first floor, stratified by color. Closely spaced and elegantly proportioned windows allow the building to be very open while the continuous ribbons of glass above the entry add a subtle twist to the vocabulary. A steel cornice completes the building’s upward thrust and unifies it with the vocabulary of the adjacent townhomes.

Basecamp SFH

BASECAMP SFH

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Basecamp Old Irving Park LLC

STATISTICS
48 Units
2 Stories

PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography courtesy of Ranquist Development Group

This enclave of forty eight new homes provided the unique opportunity to create not just a new building, but a whole new neighborhood. Located along Milwaukee Avenue, adjacent to Old Irving Park and in close proximity to public transit, the homes are arranged to create a sense of community and promote pride of ownership. A tree-lined street and sidewalks curve through the site alongside a centrally located park, promoting a pedestrian friendly experience. The individual lots feature landscaped yards, wide and welcoming front porches, and two car detached garages largely accessed via alleys. The design of the individual homes reinterpret the traditional image of a house, with traditional peaked roof forms and comfortably scaled windows taking cues from modern influences and detailing. The designs utilize a sophisticated neutral color palette, lending to the refined and crisp appearance. Within each home, the floor plans also take cues from modern lifestyles, with an open, loft like first floor and ample natural light. The layouts cater to the modern urban family, including three bedrooms located on the second floor a finished lower level with a family room and a spare bedroom.

AWARDS
Platinum, Best in American Living Awards, National Association of Home Builders
Merit Award, Builder’s Choice & Custom Home Design Awards, Builder and Custom Home Magazines
Silver Key Award, Excellence in Architectural Design, The Homebuilder's Association of Greater Chicago

1615 North Burling

1615 NORTH BURLING

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
1615 Burling LLC

STATISTICS
15 Units
4 Stories
18 Parking Spaces
37,000 GSF

Nestled at the end of a cul-de-sac in the heart of Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood, the minimal vocabulary of the four-story building is clean and modern design made manifest. Sheathed in expanses of glass, the two- and three-bedroom units range from 1,400 sq. ft. to 2,400 sq. ft. and feature 9+ foot ceiling heights, open floor plans and large private outdoor space. Luxury interior finishes include floor-to-ceiling windows, wide solid hardwood flooring, and floating wood stairs with glass railings. Green features include high interior and exterior insulation ratings, Energy Star appliances, landscaped exteriors, energy efficient HVAC systems, smart home technology, and radiant heated floors (lower level).