The Second City’s Busiest Architects
When one thinks of tech hubs in America, your mind will usually go straight to Silicon Valley or San Francisco.
Chicago usually isn’t too high on the list, but the Windy City is finally drawing more tech jobs and people into its limits.
In 2017 and 2018, the city’s tech labor force grew 8% higher than 2015 and 2016.
That’s one reason why there’s so many multifamily construction projects being built in the Loop.
In addition to tech jobs, Chicago also attracts top-notch architecture talent.
We’re going to be looking at four of the top multifamily architects with the most residential units in their pipelines.
The first architecture firm on our list is the 2018 AIA Chicago Firm of the Year:
Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture
BuildCentral’s research shows that there are 2,794 units in either planning or construction. Let’s look at three of HPA’s current projects.
AMLI 808
|
Schedule |
Work is expected to start in spring 2020 and be completed in spring 2022 |
|
Details |
17 stories 297 apartments Ten percent of the units will be affordable 6,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space Bicycle parking |
MDA 2
|
Schedule |
Planning, and a re-bidding will take place later in 2020 |
|
Details |
Seven stories 5,500 square feet of retail space Rooftop pool, amenity space and sixth-floor bridge 81 units |
One Chicago
|
Schedule |
Work is underway and should be completed in August 2022 |
|
Details |
Two luxury high-rise towers Whole Foods grocery store Life Time athletic club 45,000 square feet of office space 74 condominiums 795 apartments |
bKL Architecture LLC
According to BuildCentral’s research, there are a combination of 2,696 units in either planning or construction.
bKL is one of the city’s youngest firms, established in 2010, but don’t let that date fool you.
They’re one of the busiest and most well-respected architectural firms in Chicago.
Here’s three multifamily projects:
3300 N Clark
|
Schedule |
Building permits have been issued and work should be completed in early 2021 |
|
Details |
Nine-story building Ground-floor retail and parking podium Landscaped roof terrace 140 units |
Cascade
|
Schedule |
Under construction and work should be completed in late 2022 |
|
Details |
37-story tower New park and pool deck Multiple communal lounges and shared fire pits 503 apartments |
300 North Michigan Tower
|
Schedule |
Under construction and work should be completed in late 2021 |
|
Details |
47 stories 25,000 square feet of retail space Top-floor amenities 280-room CitizenM hotel 290 residential units |
Solomon Cordwell Buenz & Associates, Inc.
According to BuildCentral’s research, there are a combination of 2,121 units in either planning or construction.
SCB is working on projects from Boston all the way to Oakland and is one of the most respected firms in the country.
Here’s three of their multifamily projects in Chicago:
Ogden Commons Phase I
|
Schedule |
Sitework is underway and work should be completed in early 2021 |
|
Details |
Three stories 50,000 square feet of commercial space Space for Sinai Health systems 111 apartments with 90% being affordable |
344 North Canal Apartment Tower
|
Schedule |
Planning, and public hearings are scheduled all through 2020 |
|
Details |
33 stories 124 spaces in a parking garage Small retail space 1,800-square-foot dog run 343 apartments, with ten percent being affordable |
Fremont Square
|
Schedule |
Still in the planning stages |
|
Details |
40-story tower Three stories of commercial space 500 units |
Pappageorge Haymes Partners
According to BuildCentral’s research, there are a combination of 1,746 units in either planning or construction.
In addition to commercial projects, Pappageorge Haymes often will design private residences.
Here’s three of their multifamily projects in Chicago.
North Union Apartment Tower
|
Schedule |
A building permit has been issued and work should be completed in summer 2022 |
|
Details |
Thirty stories 170 parking spaces Pedestrial bridge 373 apartments, with ten affordable units |
Peabody School Redevelopment
|
Schedule |
A building permit has been issued and internal demolition and cleaning is underway |
|
Details |
Conversion of four-story former school 54,000 square feet 23 luxury apartments Attached parking garage with an elevator and rooftop terrace |
800 N. Milwaukee
|
Schedule |
Planning stages, and a building permit application has not been submitted |
|
Details |
Seven stories Ground-floor commercial space and 23 parking spaces 97 apartments |
We’re positive that these top multifamily architects will continue to help shape Chicago’s skyline.