About Kaufman Segal Design

This residential design firm was founded by David Kaufman and Tom Segal in 1995. The studio has since expanded to include commercial design, as well. Kaufman became an Illinois licensed interior designer in 1989 and worked as senior designer for the late Paul Granata, a well-known Chicago designer, before starting his own firm. Segal earned a Master of Architecture from the University of Illinois at Chicago and started as a residential architect for Frye, Gilian, Moliaro Architects, focusing on interiors. He has served as president of the Board of Trustees of Harrington College of Design. The firm has received several Illinois Design Excellence Awards Honorable Mentions from American Society of Interior Designers, as well as a Best in Design award from CS Interiors. Their work has also been featured in several HGTV shows.

Featured Projects

A 14th-floor apartment offers spectacular views of downtown with its floor-to-ceiling windows. To make it feel more like a home, the design firm called on the owner’s large collection of colorful art to be a central design theme. The well-traveled couple filled the studio with curios from around the globe. From there, Kaufman and Segal used velvet, leather, and silk-upholstered furniture to add warmth, comfort, and class. The 2,400-square-foot apartment has two bedrooms and three baths. After a historic family home in Lakeview underwent an architectural and interior renovation, Kaufman Segal were contracted to re-conceptualize the new open floor plan. The team used a muted color palette juxtaposed with dark wood and nickel accents that work to visually enlarge the space.

About Alexandra Kaehler

House Beautiful named Kaehler one of the 25 Next Wave Designers to Watch in 2015. A native Chicagoan, Kaehler has made a national impact, with work featured in Vogue, Domino magazine, and House Beautiful. She’s also a local favorite, often covered by Chicago’s Modern Luxury magazine and Chicago Home and Garden, Chicago Magazine’s design publication. Kaehler’s philosophy is to fill a home with things you love and go from there. She leans toward modern with simple textured pieces, modern patterns.

Featured Projects

Kaehler designed a Lincoln Park home to match the fun and lively owners in a project featured in Modern Luxury Interiors. The home’s comfortable, durable design works for the family of four and their dog. She started with a lilac and navy palette and then added pastels from a commissioned painting by local artist Linc Thelen. She balances the rich, colored and patterned accessories with solid, neutral-toned furniture. Domino Magazine showcased Kaehler’s own Chicago townhouse, which the designer shares with her husband and two-year-old daughter. Her home displays the original artwork of friends — colorful abstract pieces that offset the largely white walls and white-paneled, built-in cabinets. The townhouse’s open floorplan is filled with sturdy textured seating meant to hide day-to-day wear. Her green velvet, brass dining room chairs pop, and richly contrast the white crystal chandelier hanging above. Kahler carefully thinks through her client’s use of space, a philosophy she applied to her own home as well. Because she and her husband love to cook, their biggest expense was the kitchen cabinets, which she commissioned a carpenter to custom design.

About Elizabeth Krueger

Principal of the four-person design firm, Elizabeth Krueger has been named one of HGTV’s “Faces of Design” and Chicago’s “One to Watch” by The Editor at Large — the daily news source for high-end residential interior design. She started her career working on the highly esteemed Holly Hunt design team. She is a member of the Leaders of Design Council, one of the industry’s notable member’s organizations. Krueger’s work has appeared in LVBX magazine, Elle Décor, and LUXE Magazine, among others.

“Well, I think the “designer” genes were in me from the beginning. As my parents can attest to, I used to constantly rearrange the furniture in our home when I was a kid. Always trying new combinations and layouts. Nothing ever lasted very long as I was always thinking about the next arrangement. That interest in design never truly went away, which is why I ended up pivoting my career and pursuing a degree in interior design after getting an undergrad degree in an unrelated major. ” – Elizabeth Krueger

Featured Projects

To decorate a Lincoln Park apartment, Krueger was tasked with the goal of making a sophisticated and inviting space. Krueger accomplishes both using plush fabrics, functional modern furnishings, and a light color scheme filled with tans, greys, and ivory. Soft rugs and pillows offer cozy but elegant finishing touches. Elaborate light fixtures and abstract modern art serve as the perfect show pieces. A couple who recently purchased a seventh-floor condo in Lakeview liked Krueger’s blend of industrial and modern aesthetics. They were looking for bold, stylish, and yet personal details for their two-bedroom unit in a historic Beaux-Arts building. Krueger started with a bold color palette with black leather and velvet furniture and gold accent pieces. Krueger and her client mixed local art with elegant antiques in this finely detailed apartment covered by Elle Décor. Dramatic from the start, custom black and white marble tile, along with a painting from Chicago-based artist Francine Turk, welcomes guests in the foyer. Silk wallpaper lines the master bedroom, while custom metal barn doors replace the tasteless sliding closet doors.

“After school, I had the opportunity to work for, and with, amazing individuals including the team at Holly Hunt and the extremely talented Tracy Hickman. Each opportunity guided me to the decision to build my own design firm, Elizabeth Krueger Design, in 2012. From there it has been a wild, expansive, and humbling ride. Our team has grown, our client network has been enriched and expanded, and our design process has evolved and matured into a well-oiled machine. Don’t get me wrong, there are still plenty of bumps in the road, but when I think back to moving furniture around as a kid, it’s clear that myself, and the firm, have come a long way, and there’s nothing more fulfilling than that.” – Elizabeth Krueger

About Anthony Michael

With the interior design completion of more than 1,100 homes, Anthony Michael’s work has spanned single-family residences, restaurants, retail stores, yachts, and private aircrafts. Michael has been named Designer of the Year and Retail Designer of the Year by the Chicago Tribune. Michael has received “Best of Houzz” awards for design and customer service. His philosophy is one of adaptability and he is inspired by European and contemporary South American styles, as well as Parisian styles from the 1930s and 40s. The firm’s work has appeared in a wide range of publications, such as Sophisticated Living, Modern Luxury Weddings, Millennial Home, and Traditional Home.

Featured Projects

Michael helped a West Coast transplant feel at home in his new Lakeview residence. Michael and his associate Emily Roberson went for “Ralph Lauren glam” using stone, wood, and concrete paired with dark, lush-colored fabrics. Key bold pieces include orange velvet chairs in the dining room, a blue velvet headboard, and a kitchen banquette with leather and nailhead trim. Newlyweds combined their styles and belongs in their new loft in Bucktown with the help of Michael’s firm. The couple was drawn to the wood-burning fireplace and large living room. The team created distinct living spaces within the large open design by contrasting black floor-to-ceiling back drapes, black painted walls, natural and white painted brickwork. A fun detail is the sliding chalkboard panels that cover the open kitchen shelves instead of traditional upper cabinets. The space features the couple’s diverse artwork, including the yoga-lovers’ 2,000-pound Buddha head.

About Buckingham Interiors and Design

Founder and Principal Julia Buckingham runs her design studio, founded in 2007, out of the growing West Town neighborhood. The team produces custom-designed interiors using their signature style known as “modernique,” which is also the name of Buckingham’s new book: Modernique, Inspiring Interiors – Mixing Modern and Vintage Style. Buckingham contributes to Traditional Home magazine’s Color Master Classes and is a founding contributor to Material Girls, a popular design blog. In 2015, Buckingham launched her own custom collection of furniture and home goods through the wholesale company Global views. The studio’s work can be seen in the Elle Décor, The Wall Street Journal, Décor Magazine, Traditional Home, and House Beautiful, among others.

Featured Projects

The Spruce, a decorating blog, featured a North Shore Tudor home designed by Buckingham’s team. The home pairs vintage and custom designed pieces from Buckingham’s own Global Views collection. The furnishings and accessories work together, with their lively patterns and rich royal purple, red, and gold color palette. Statement pieces include a brass and agate chandelier and a chair featuring a suzani textile. When Buckingham purchased a 6,000-square-foot Queen Anne townhouse, she tag-teamed with her husband to plan the space, décor, and art of their massive new home. Before moving in, they transformed the attic into a third-story master suite peppered with skylights. The couple chose to cross the centuries, from Beaux Art artwork to modern lighting from design superstar Tom Dixon. Each room offers a distinct aesthetic with patterned wallpaper, tin ceilings, and signature wood and metal pieces. The finished home is quirky, eclectic, and filled with art.

About Michael Del Piero

Michael Del Piero founded her interior design company in 2007. The New York Times named her a style maven. Her work has appeared in many publications including Traditional Home, House Beautiful, the New York Times, Interiors, Milieu and the Chicago Tribune. She has also been featured in several interior design books, including the international publication, Visions of Design. She runs a design studio of nine people with offices in Chicago and the Hamptons. Del Piero also runs an interiors boutique in West Town, filled with unusual furniture and art pieces that have captured her eye. Del Piero’s style fuses “rough with luxurious and ancient with modern.”

Featured Projects

Stuart Grannen, owner of Architectural Artifacts, lives in an old charcoal factory in an industrial district. The home was converted by architect Patricia VanderBeke, who has supervised the renovation of many historic landmark structures throughout Chicago. Grannen cared about his art — featuring Chicago artists like Joe Boudreau and photography legends like Edward Curtis — but left the rest of the interior decisions mostly up to Del Piero (who also happens to be his significant other). They agree on one thing: minimalist. The home is sparsely furnished, with a mix of antique and modern pieces the couple have collected while traveling. To make the best use of the renovated factory space, she used a steel-plated industrial fireplace, countered by the original timbered ceiling and wide plank flooring. Charcoal-colored walls and dark drapery contrast a warm earthy color palette used for the furniture and accessories. Del Piero’s own Chicago home is also filled with her European finds, like the French Rye baskets that she found in the Netherlands. Del Piero has them cleverly hanging on the wall. Her modern Holly Hunt sofa balances out the room’s rich antiques, such as the baskets and a ceramic garden stool Del Piero is using for a coffee table.

About Liv Companies

Liv Companies (LivCo) uses its creativity and solution-oriented mindset to create spaces that inspire occupants. Its design solutions revolve around a client’s needs and lifestyles to ensure the space will fit them properly. All of LivCo’s efforts are acknowledged through its accreditation by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI).

Featured Projects

Downers Grove Split Level Transformed is one of LivCo’s remodeling projects in Illinois. The original floor plan did not provide enough kitchen storage space and had design features that were like obstacles. To fix that, LivCo moved the main pantry storage, refrigeration, and ovens to one interior wall. This resulted in enough space to put in a big island while maximizing vistas to the backyard pool area. The old six-foot sliding patio door was replaced with a Marvin four-panel slider and four new windows with alternating widths gave the feel of having a glass wall.

About Normandy Remodeling

Normandy Remodeling was founded to bring better quality services to the Chicago area. By doing so, founders Jack Steindl and Reg Marzec had hoped to make the home improvement process easier on clients. Normandy Remodeling’s team looks over the detail process, materials, design, construction, and budget. Services include home additions, kitchen remodeling and bathroom remodeling, and home remodeling.

Featured Projects

The Chicago Condo Remodel features an entertainment space with a skyline view. Normandy Remodeling worked on emphasizing the luxury and functionality of the space. It worked on painted cabinetry, marble accents, and cork floors. The dining and living room areas use variations of gray for a cohesive palette. There is a floor-to-ceiling display shelf, a bar for accessible serving of food and drinks, and a TV disguised as a mirror.

About Arete Renovators

Arete Renovators specializes in interior residential and commercial remodeling work. In the 20 years it has been in the industry, the firm has completed over 2,000 remodeling projects throughout the Chicago area. The firm has also fostered relationships with building management, which allows it to focus on high-rise remodeling projects. Clients can visit Arete’s showroom and design center to understand the full range of services available.

Featured Projects

The Lakeshore Remodel project is a modern home office case. It features two bathrooms, a new kitchen, and several new additions. There is a partition that acts as shelves while separating the home office from the living room. The master bedroom has a floral black and white wallpaper, which acts as an accent wall to contrast with the gold lighting. In contrast, the guest bathroom uses a brighter color palette while also using gold accents.

About Chi Renovation & Design

Chi Renovation & Design provides home renovation services to clients in the Chicago area. The team’s expertise includes everything from bathrooms, kitchens, and basements to full home renovations. Chi Renovation & Design will work on a project from design conception through the end of construction. Clients are kept informed and involved throughout the process to ensure the project matches the vision they have of their home.

Featured Projects

The Globally Inspired Timber Loft project is located in Lincoln Park. Chi Renovation & Design remodeled the bathroom, living room, dining room, and bedroom. The loft uses an eclectic modern design with global art, fabric, and showpieces. There are whites and soft grays in the bathroom to give it a luxurious and classy feel, which contrasts with the global fusion decor in the other rooms. The bedroom has colorful textiles inspired by cultures from places like the Sahara and India. Meanwhile, the dining room has richly colored pieces to go with the exposed brick walls and timber. Lastly, the living room has modern furniture, patterns, and colors for a livelier atmosphere.

About OHi – Our Home Improvement

OHi – Our Home Improvement was founded in 1900, which means it has been in the industry for 122 years. President John Kautz’s great-grandfather founded the business where he and Kautz’s grandfather were initially focused on installing carpets at Chicago landmarks. Now, the OHi is a complete home remodeling company that focuses on clients and their needs from as early as the conception stage.

Featured Projects

With 122 years of experience in the industry, OHi provides advice and services for kitchen, bathroom, and basement renovation, flooring, additions, and general remodeling projects. The firm can also do commercial interior flooring. OHi’s team is made up of designers, project managers, and tradesmen who are all capable of in-house work.

About 123 Remodeling

123 Remodeling is a design-build firm that works closely with clients to minimize the stress that typically comes from construction projects. Its specialty lies in high-end work for kitchen, bathroom, home, and condominium remodeling. The firm goal is to transform regular spaces into a client’s dream home. To make this possible, 123 Remodeling’s team of interior designers, architects, and remodelers guide clients in making important decisions.

Featured Projects

The Upscale Home Remodel project in Chicago features an updated home with designer finishes better suited to the client’s style. 123 Remodeling worked on gathering spaces to create a visually impactful and high-end design. The features include customized built-ins and a fireplace in the living room and a movie room downstairs. There is a custom dry bar, updated lighting, and a gallery wall in the movie room.

About LaMantia Design and Remodeling

Founder Tony LaMantia has led LaMantia Design and Remodeling since 1973 in committing to client satisfaction and quality workmanship. Since the firm’s inception, it has kept pace with the changing trends of the construction and remodeling industry. This allows it to continue providing services that are in line with industry standards.

Featured Projects

The LaMantia Design and Remodeling team is made up of architects, interior designers, kitchen and bathroom designers, and trades professionals. Because the team is made up of different types of professionals, the firm uses a collaborative approach to integrate the principles of design, material selection, and construction. Using a team-based process makes it easier for updates to be communicated throughout the team, which minimizes mistakes as the project progresses.

About Real Restoration Group

Real Restoration Group is a construction and restoration team that worked on numerous residential and commercial projects. These projects can typically be found in the Chicago area. While the firm’s experience is primarily in residential remodeling work, it has also worked on other structures like offices, restaurants, retail centers, and industrial parks. Real Restoration Group’s experience allows it to manage a client’s plans so that it remains within budget and on time.

Featured Projects

One of Real Restoration Group’s work in the Chicago area is the private residential condo Remodel project. The firm rehabilitated and remodeled this single-level 4,623-square-foot condominium unit. There are five bedrooms and four and a half bathrooms. Real Restoration Group’s scope of work includes line finishes throughout the kitchen, a wine storage, a movie theater, wide plank herringbone floors, hard wired motorized shades, and custom closets.

About Synergy Builders

Synergy Builders is a Chicago-based firm specializing in design-build services for home remodeling projects. The firm focuses on kitchen, bathroom, and basement remodeling, whole house design, and room additions. In providing its services, the firm works to reduce the amount of stress clients typically experience during construction and remodeling projects.

Featured Projects

Founders John Habermeier and Steve Taylor guide the firm with their experiences working in different trades. Habermeier is an eighth-generation carpenter while Taylor is an entrepreneur. They founded the firm in 2002 with the goal of establishing a company culture that is inviting to both employees and clients. Before the firm expanded its services, it focused on basement remodeling projects. Synergy Builders’ efforts have been acknowledged; the Daily Herald Business Ledger named the firm one of the Best Places to Work in Illinois.

About Goldberg General Contracting, Inc.

Goldberg General Contracting, Inc. (GGC) specializes in renovation, restoration, and new construction projects for custom residential and light commercial projects. The firm is an expert in modern design and has a reputation for historic restoration. It is known for exercising quality control, timeliness, and orderly project management. With a team of 25 carpenters, tile setters, and site managers, GGC can ensure project quality. Partnering with GCC gives clients the additional benefit of collaborating closely with the project architect and contractor, which allows them to see their personal touches incorporated into each project.

Featured Projects

The Stunning City Showpiece Renovation project features a brightly illuminated 10,000-square-foot residence overlooking a private courtyard. There is a custom-designed steel and glass staircase with wood accent that links all three levels of the home. The open kitchen has polished terrazzo and Sapele hardwood floors. GCC also worked on custom millwork, designer lighting, and incorporated smart home technology for a modern home.

About DAL Builders

DAL Builders was founded by David Larkin in 1994. It initially focused on constructing new, custom, and semi-custom homes for a few architects and developers in the Northern Illinois area. Now, DAL Builders is a full-service remodeling firm serving both residential and commercial clients. Clients are given teams made up of experienced tradesmen and project managers to work with to ensure projects meet their expectations.

Featured Projects

In providing its services, DAL Builders works to make sure it provides services that fit a client’s budget and needs. This means understanding a client’s end goal while sticking to best practices. The residential work DAL Builders does includes kitchens, attics, bathrooms, basements, and decks.

About Leader Builders

Leader Builders is experienced working on a wide range of project complexities. It specializes in second-story additions, two-story kitchen/master suite additions, bungalow dormer additions, and attic conversions. The full-service team collaborates with clients from concept to completion, providing them with detailed budget estimates and professional drawings and renderings while coordinating trades, deliveries, and inspections. Clients also have the option to regularly contact the on-site project managers for updates and questions.

Featured Projects

The Chicago Addition & Renovation project features a light-filled space for an open-plan kitchen and dining room. While the kitchen and dining area were worked on, the rest of the home was renovated to preserve and enhance historic features like a tray ceiling and its original lights. Leader Builders replicated the original pointed arch doorways while placing similar arches throughout the first floor. The living room overlooks the new kitchen and dining room from a vantage point. A second staircase is connected to a new room above the garage.

About Leopardo Companies

Leopardo Companies has grown from a small family business in 1977 to a nationally renowned general contractor, working with Fortune 100 companies and constructing high-end projects. It works with clients in Illinois, Florida, and California on aviation, education, community, federal, health care, historical, hospitality, industrial, office, residential, retail, senior living, science, and technology projects.

Featured Projects

Because of its remarkable work portfolio, Leopardo Companies has been named one of the 2018 Top Contractors in America by the Engineering News-Record and the Building Design + Construction.

Mike Leopardo has worked in the construction industry for 30 years, helping to develop Leopardo from a small family-owned business to one of the nation’s top general contractors. Mike is responsible for the overall business strategy and benchmarks affecting Leopardo’s offices, hundreds of employees and job sites, various service offerings, and all of its markets as president and CEO. He graduated from Western Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in construction technology engineering and previously served on the Board of Trustees for the Jane Addams Hull-House, one of Chicago’s largest and oldest not-for-profit social service agencies.

About Pepper Construction

Pepper Construction, led by Stan Pepper, believes that the future of construction is focused on innovation, sustainable development, fortitude, and performance. As a result, the firm’s practice has centered on expanding its services and delving into every aspect of the construction process. Many of its works reflect this approach. Lean construction, MEP coordination, quality and safety management, virtual design and construction, and other delivery methods that use environmental technologies and sustainable practices are among the many services offered by the firm.

Featured Projects

Pepper Construction also ranks as the third-largest contractor in the Midwest, the nation’s 64th largest contractor, and the sixth-largest contractor in the Midwest. Its expertise is acknowledged throughout the Midwest, having offices in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Its works have also been featured by publications like ENR, USGlass Magazine, Bisnow, Building Design + Construction, Construction Dive, The Business Journal, Clarksville Now, Chicago Tribune, and REJournals.

About McShane Construction

McShane Construction, founded over 35 years ago, is proud to have established a reputation as a leader in the construction of high-quality facilities. Because its clients are diverse, it offers a diverse set of contracting options and collaborates with them to find the best solutions for their projects. This ensures that the company is a good fit for its clients’ business needs and organizational cultures.

Featured Projects

McShane Construction specializes in multifamily, industrial, commercial, health, fitness, and institutional construction. The company’s commitment to sustainable construction benefits the communities it operates. It enhances supply chain management, boosts operational efficiencies, and creates environments that foster creativity.

McShane is an awardee of multiple awards, including the 2021 ENR Top Southwest Contractors, 2021 PCI Design Award for Best Multifamily Building, and 2021 Outstand For-Profit Real Estate Development Award. It also holds affiliations with the Associated Builders and Contractors and consists of LEED-accredited professionals.

About Skender Construction

Collaboration, simplicity, and efficiency are the characteristics that have helped Skender Construction become one of the region’s most favored general contracting firms. Throughout its six decades of practice, the firm has depended on its loyal team of industry professionals, partnered with leading architectural firms in the country, and collaborated with the most proficient developers in the industry. As a result, it has developed some of Illinois’ most transformative landmarks. Its completed works come from various complex and demanding industries, such as health care, lab sciences, higher education, senior living, affordable housing, retail, multifamily, and hospitality.

Featured Projects

Justin Brown heads the company as its president and CEO. As president and CEO, Justin Brown is in charge of the company. Brown supervises the company’s strategic growth, which includes expanding its services to include preconstruction, planning, design-build, project management, sustainability, and consulting expertise. The firm’s extensive construction background and its active role in the industry as a member of the AGC, NAIOP, and USGBC enabled it to formulate a comprehensive delivery method that incorporates cutting-edge design and construction technologies. This results in an advanced, cost-effective, and highly efficient building practice that can produce large-scale developments for the most sophisticated and demanding clients.

About Bulley & Andrews

Established in 1891, family-owned and operated, Bulley & Andrews (B&A) is one of the region’s most accomplished construction firms. B&A is dedicated to providing professional services to projects that improve people’s lives and help organizations grow in quantifiable and meaningful ways.

Featured Projects

Bulley & Andrews is rooted in the simplicity of a time when construction practices relied on horses, ropes, and pulleys. It maintains its ties to tradition while remaining at the forefront of innovation and best practices in the field of construction. The company is well-known for its sophisticated approach to construction, which utilizes technology and a solution-driven mindset to deliver projects that live up to expectations. The firm, which represents a diverse portfolio of clients, is dedicated to creating and restoring unique structures and numerous properties that define and serve their respective owners.

About Novak Construction

Novak Construction, headquartered in Chicago, provides preconstruction, general construction, and construction management services across the country. As a licensed general contractor, the company has completed a myriad of construction projects in Illinois and over 30 other states. It has long-standing relationships with some of the biggest names in retail, including Target, Walmart, Costco, and Whole Foods, as a testament to its consistently dependable, high-quality services. The company generates more than $250 million in annual revenue, with a large portion of that coming from repeat customers. Aside from its strong commercial clientele, the firm is also responsible for some of Chicago’s most valuable multifamily properties.

Featured Projects

Novak Construction is an ARE Gold Award of Excellence awardee and holds memberships with organizations like the U.S. Green Building Council. Its works have also been featured by the media, including Block Club Chicago, Crain’s Chicago Business, Chicago Tribune, and The Real Deal.

About Norcon, Inc.

Norcon, Inc. is a mid-sized construction management company based in Chicago. Norcon was founded in 1999 by seasoned builders Jeff Jozwiak and Charles Norwesh as a leader in today’s progressive construction industry. Its extensive project portfolio includes commercial, retail, educational, pharmaceutical, hospitality, religious, and high-end residential projects. Although most of the firm’s work is in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, Norcon has reached more than a dozen states to complete projects for clients.

Featured Projects

Norcon manages the entire construction process, from the preliminary preconstruction phase to the completion. It is a member of the United States Green Building Council and recently completed the construction of its office building, which achieved LEED Gold status and was certified by the SERF (Society of Environmentally Responsible Facilities). In 2006, Norcon was the construction management company chosen in Chicago to build for ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

About Berglund Construction

Berglund Construction is a family-owned company that uses innovation and operational excellence to solve real-time construction problems. Fred Berglund, a third-generation leader, has decades of experience in the construction industry. His ties to Illinois and Indiana aided him in breaking into and then thriving in the business in both states. The firm’s portfolio includes a diverse range of hotel and hospitality renovation/construction projects.

Featured Projects

Berglund Construction has been in business for 110 years and has restored many of the Midwest’s landmarks and historic buildings, including architecturally significant campuses like the University of Chicago and Northwestern University. Berglund has also received national recognition, including the Construction Excellence Award from the United States General Services Administration and the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s National Preservation Award.

About McHugh Construction

McHugh Construction, one of Chicago’s most prominent general contracting firms, is responsible for constructing seven of the city’s ten tallest skyscrapers. Its remarkable portfolio of large developments highlights its green building practices, and 80 percent of its works are accredited by the various LEED certifications offered by the USGBC. It has completed civic and cultural, commercial, education, government, healthcare, hospitality, industrial, religious, residential, retail, and gaming developments for clients in Chicago, Downtown Chicago, Champaign; Indiana, Florida, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

Featured Projects

McHugh Construction was founded in 1897 and is now under its fourth generation of ownership. Its century-plus experience has permitted it to establish long-term relationships with developers and investors, and 80% of its past and present projects come from repeat businesses.

The firm is also honored to have its works featured by press members, like Construction Dive, REJournals, Urbanize LA, REBusinessOnline, Chicago Sun-Times, The Business Journals, and Multihousing News.

About UJAMAA Construction

Since its inception in 2002, UJAMAA Construction has provided owners with high-quality, expedited general contracting and construction management services. It has extensive experience in commercial, retail, higher education, multifamily housing, and medical facility construction.

Featured Projects

UJAMAA’s mission is to give back to the community without sacrificing quality or increasing costs. The firm strives to bring diversity into the workplace and provide employment opportunities to the underserved while maintaining a balance of corporate governance and social responsibility. This effective strategy enables the company to continue attracting and retaining the trust and respect of high-quality clients.

Jimmy Akintode created UJAMAA Construction to build a company that provides outstanding construction services while also being socially accountable. Under his leadership, UJAMAA has grown significantly and is now the city of Chicago’s premier diversity construction firm.

About Helios Construction Services

Helios Construction Services is a Chicago-based commercial general contractor and construction management firm. It uses the best people, processes, and technology to deliver high-quality, low-cost projects. The firm’s responsive, forthcoming, and agile decision-makers are constantly on the lookout for innovative ways to improve construction. It has completed projects in various industries throughout the United States, including retail, hospitality, mixed-use, multifamily, office, industrial, and education.

Featured Projects

Aash Desai, the company’s principal and founder, has 15 years of experience in the real estate and construction industries, having previously worked as a project manager and preconstruction manager for a large global construction management firm and as the vice president of development for a national real estate development firm. He actively manages Helios’ overall business strategy and project direction. His experience working with a wide range of clients, including Fortune 500 companies, private developers, start-up businesses, and institutions, enables him to serve as a construction manager and an adviser to the company’s clients.

About Focus

As a vertically integrated development and construction firm, the places and spaces Focus creates reflect the work of its multidisciplinary teams driven to achieve success. Focus, based in Chicago, Illinois, is responsible for notable developments worth more than $2.14 billion in the Chicago market. Since expanding to provide third-party general contracting services, the firm’s construction division has completed over $650 million in real estate projects. These projects range from small multifamily communities in historic districts to high-density, mixed-use redevelopments in vibrant downtowns.

Featured Projects

Focus has worked hard since 1993 to identify, meet, and exceed its clients’ expectations. It provides exemplary craftsmanship, relentless service, and deep appreciation for quality architecture. The company has an impeccable track record, ascertained by its comprehensive portfolio of completed projects in communities such as Chicago, Evanston, Forest Park, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Oak Park, Wheaton, and Winnetka.

Focus is the recipient of the 2017 ULI Vision Award for The Parker, the 2017 Agent’s Choice Award for Best New Development of the Year, and the 2016 Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago Crystal Key Award for Circa 922.

You can see more from Focus by visiting their website here.

About Development Solutions, Inc.

Development Solutions, Inc. (DSI) is a Chicago-based commercial general contractor. Since 1992, DSI has provided quality construction services to its clients, and it has experience in all types of construction, including office, industrial, retail, education, banking, and health care facility projects. Daniel Mazeiro, the firm’s principal, has roots in architecture, commercial real estate, and construction management. He founded the firm on three fundamental principles: confront every project from the client’s perspective, deliver on promises, and provide unrivaled customer service.

Featured Projects

Daniel, who has a background in architecture and urban design, brings a keen artistic sensibility and precision to every DSI project. Daniel has led a carefully selected team of professionals to complete highly acclaimed projects throughout the Chicago region throughout the company’s history. He is in charge of all project management and field operations.

Today, DSI has an excellent reputation and sustained growth, with repeat and referral clients accounting for more than 80% of its business. DSI is a privately held company that prioritizes people and has grown by recruiting fervent, knowledgeable professionals who deliver results.

About Orren Pickell

Orren Pickell is a general contractor with over four decades of industry experience and backed by the resources and technical knowledge to execute excellent projects on time and under budget. The firm is supported by an award-winning workforce committed to completely understanding each client’s specific requirements and designing and building the new project utilizing a specialized computer-aided design system. The firm’s devotion to quality and meticulous attention to detail ensures perfection regardless of project size, whether it’s a large extension, a tiny art niche, or a historic restoration. Its remarkable portfolio of kitchen and bathroom renovations, house expansions and extensions, complete home remodeling, and bespoke residences demonstrates the quality of its work, its expertise, and the exceptional service the firm consistently provides.

Featured Projects

One of the firm’s notable projects is this Chicago Kitchen Remodel with Basement Wine Wall Upgrade. This northside home was completed in 2017, but after a few months, water problems in the basement led to the decision to make some renovations. The firm removed old cabinets and a wine refrigerator to construct the new wine wall, replacing them with natural stone flooring and racks that provide a contemporary, glass-enclosed alternative. The firm supplied running water and power to the new freestanding island in the kitchen, which included ripping out a part of the floor. The Orren Pickell team put new flooring that matched the original wood, then sanded the entire room to get a uniform surface.

About Normandy Remodeling

Normandy Builders was founded in 1979 by Jack Steindl and Reg Marzec as a general contractor focused on home renovations in Chicagoland. The firm was formed to provide clients with a smooth, seamless, and stress-free building experience at an affordable price. Its customized, hands-on, and collaborative approach enables it to focus on the big picture for houses while ensuring that each project represents the client’s ideas, personality, and way of life. Because of the firm’s single-source solution and diligent management, it remains on top of all the project’s intricate details, including its procedures, materials, design, construction, and budget. As a result, the firm has been featured in several notable publications including The Hinsdalean, Kitchen and Bath Business, Pioneer Press, West Suburban Living, and Remodeling Magazine.

Featured Projects

The Soft Gray Kitchen, featured here, is a prime example of the firm’s remarkable work. The introduction of soft gray colors is so subtle that you may mistake this for another white kitchen. However, the warmth in the gray and the deeper gray island reduce the brightness and give you the classic image of a white kitchen with a twist.

About Liv Companies

Liv Companies was founded in 2012 to provide expansions, renovation, and architecture services to Chicago and the western Chicago suburbs. The firm is dedicated to creating captivating places backed by a decade of expertise, skillfully translating creative and inventive thoughts into constructed solutions. The firm offers its clients a one-of-a-kind, creative, and integrated approach to home remodeling by offering solutions tailored to their personal demands and lifestyles. Its highly skilled staff consistently delivers high-quality craftsmanship, creative design and building techniques, and cost-efficient solutions regardless of project size, scope, or complexity. As one of Illinois’s premier home renovation firms, Liv Companies has built a solid track record of happy clients who attest to its exceptional quality and service.

Featured Projects

Their clients had recently relocated to this four square home. They contacted Liv Companies to assist them in maximizing its potential. The house had an addition that included a portion of the kitchen, breakfast room, mudroom, and powder room. Yet it was designed so that the rooms could not be used properly. The Outside The Box – La Grange Four-Square Remodel project resulted in a more open and linked layout, a gourmet kitchen, and a new master bath, all within the original footprint. The front office was exposed to the rest of the home. The owners wanted to make it a private place while preserving the historic elegance of the entry and stairs.

About Chi Renovation and Design

Chi Renovation and Design is a Skokie, Illinois-based contractor established in 2005. The firm provides general contracting, bath and kitchen renovation, and home expansions services to Chicagoland. The firm’s outstanding portfolio includes bathrooms, kitchens, basements, as well as whole house renovations. It provides a comprehensive range of services, from conceptual design to building completion. With a track record of high-end designs, excellent construction, and guaranteed customer pleasure, the business has earned its position as one of the area’s finest contractors. Its individualized approach and commitment to quality have resulted in a lengthy list of delighted clients who have had a seamless and stress-free project delivery.

Featured Projects

One of the firm’s outstanding projects is the Ranch Triangle Chicago Renovation. The firm extensively remodeled the kitchen, master bathroom, and powder room in this Chicago property. The firm replaced the tile vanity accessories and painted the powder room. The living room, master bedroom, and breakfast bar have new light fixtures. The modest breakfast bar with modern lighting—which serves as an excellent location for a quick meal or a prolonged discussion—is one of the new elements of this transitional kitchen.

About Arete Renovators

Areté Renovators, founded in 2002, is a family-owned business that specializes in interior residential and commercial renovations. The firm’s professional designers and builders offer various services, including general contracting and design for single bathroom and kitchen remodels, condo units, commercial storefronts, lobby restorations expansions, and new buildings. The firm has completed over 2,000 renovation projects in Chicagoland, demonstrating the firm’s ability to execute projects that consistently surpass customer expectations. The firm focuses on developing solid relationships with its stakeholders, suppliers, and trade partners to ensure smooth transactions throughout the project’s delivery. Several honors and features have been bestowed to the firm, including a place on the 2021 Qualified Remodeler’s Top 500 List.

Featured Projects

This South Loop Kitchen renovation has a lovely open concept kitchen and is flooded with natural light. All-white cabinets and counters are perfectly matched with light hardwood floors to create a warm, cheerful atmosphere. Matte black fixtures and a Vigo faucet stand out against the white subway tile backsplash and cabinetry. The aesthetic of this magnificent kitchen is finished with quartz worktops and stainless steel equipment.

About 123 Remodeling

123 Remodeling is an award-winning design-build firm committed to collaborating closely with its clients to provide an excellent building experience. To keep on top of its projects, the business takes a rigorous and hands-on approach, beginning with design and continuing through construction. With nearly 15 years in the business, its remarkable portfolio of high-end kitchen, bathroom, home, and condo renovation projects demonstrates its ability to surpass customer expectations. The firm’s mission has remained the same since its founding in 2008: to convert each property into a dream home. The firm is supported by an award-winning team of interior designers, architects, and remodelers committed to completing excellent projects on time and under budget.

Featured Projects

Minimalistic Kitchen Remodel In Near North—the featured project—was completed in 2021. The objective of 123 Remodeling was to renovate the entire property, focusing on keeping a simple and minimalistic styling with diverse contrast across finishes and colors. The firm used a monochromatic color scheme of blacks and whites, black hardware, and clean, geometric lines that add to the sleek and sophisticated feel of the space. The firm wanted to boost utility and efficiency in the kitchen by replacing the peninsula with an island, creating a better workflow.

About LaMantia Design & Remodeling

LaMantia Design & Remodeling has sought quality and continual progress to serve Chicagoland better since its establishment in 1973. The firm has developed and rebuilt itself to keep up with the industry’s evolution, earning its reputation as one of the most renowned builders in the area. LaMantia’s award-winning design team includes licensed architects, skilled interior designers, qualified kitchen and bath designers, and a slew of hardworking tradespeople. Their design and build process is collaborative, integrating design, material selection, and construction. Because of their comprehensive approach to home repairs and remodels, the company encourages ongoing contact and updates throughout the client’s project.

Featured Projects

The firm designed the featured kitchen with a focus on creating a warm, luxurious, and elegant feel through its well-blended mix of traditional and rustic elements. The white cabinetry features a furniture-like design. The kitchen island serves as a focal point for the space, strategically placed in the middle of the area for an efficient layout. The wooden ceiling accents, hardwood flooring, and earth-toned color palette add a rustic charm to the space.

About Synergy Builders

Synergy Builders, founded in 2002, is a West Chicago-based design/build home renovation firm that provides a broad range of design and remodeling services. The firm specializes in remodeling kitchens, bathrooms, basements, whole-house designs, and room extensions. Under the direction of founders John Habermeier and Steve Taylor, the firm has successfully produced quite a number of unique projects on time and within budget, always providing satisfaction and exceeding expectations. It has stayed true to its mission of offering stress-free renovation services to its clients. Today, Synergy Builders is known as a dependable and trustworthy contractor, as you’ll see in the many positive comments from its lengthy list of satisfied customers.

Featured Projects

One of the firm’s notable projects is the Northbrook Kitchen in Chicago, Illinois, which features a transitional design. The kitchen layout features an open concept, a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, and white counters. The kitchen island is positioned in the middle for a more efficient arrangement. Its blue cabinetry gives a splash of color to the sophisticated design.

About Scott Simpson Design + Build

Scott Simpson Design + Build offers over 25 years of expertise in new construction, historic rehabilitation, and advanced green building services throughout Chicago, Glenview, Glencoe, Northbrook, and Wilmette. The firm’s design-build technique enables it to work closely with its clients to save money, shorten delivery times, and increase out-of-the-box innovation. Consequently, it has regularly provided projects that represent the client’s personality and lifestyle while also satisfying their expectations. As part of its initiative to provide earth-friendly materials, long-lasting quality construction, and recycle 97 percent of construction waste, the firm also offers green building solutions and sustainable practices such as geothermal energy, solar panels, green roofs, local sourcing, and reclaimed materials.

Featured Projects

This Traditional French Country Kitchen Project serves as a testament to the firm’s impressive abilities. The project has a sleek, sophisticated, and elegant atmosphere. Its distinctive white and minimalistic design features in-kitchen seating, a cabinet-style refrigerator, and specialty appliances blended into custom cabinetry and stunning countertops. It utilizes a u-shaped layout for an efficient workflow, and the kitchen island serves as the space’s focal point.

About Goldberg General Contracting, Inc.

Goldberg General Contracting, founded in 1987, specializes in the rehabilitation, restoration, and new construction of custom residential and light commercial projects. The firm has been distinguished for its attention to detail, skillful craftsmanship, and excellent client service over the years, and its impressive portfolio and solid track record of satisfied clients is proof. The firm is particularly well-known for its excellent quality control, punctuality, and project management. Its highly skilled team brings years of experience and expertise to the table. It has focused on establishing long-term connections with many of Chicago’s best architects and interior designers, ensuring that every project is completed to the greatest possible standard. The firm’s work has been published in major magazines such as Wired, Inc, Fast Company, USA Today, Elle Décor, Interior Design, Custom Home, Builder, and Architectural Record.

Featured Projects

This contemporary kitchen in the Egandale Residence showcases the firm’s ability to deliver exceptional projects. This large, modern, L-shaped open concept kitchen plan features a sleek and luxurious design. To put the focus on this kitchen’s modernity, the firm used white walls, light tile flooring, stainless steel appliances, and silver hardware. It also includes an undermount sink, white flat-panel cabinets, solid surface worktops, and a ceramic backsplash.

About Callahan & Peters, Inc.

Callahan & Peters is a Glenview-based full-service design-build renovation firm that has been servicing the North Shore and adjacent areas since 1998. The firm has come a long way from its humble beginnings, shifting its focus from painting and decorating to renovating, then eventually focusing on high-end kitchens, baths, and expansions. Over the years, the business has remained committed to altering the lives of its customers by designing spaces that reflect who they are and how they wish to live. The firm’s extensive portfolio attests to its ability to provide a great remodeling experience on time and within budget for a wide range of projects, including additions, kitchen and bath remodels, custom cabinets, fine woodworking, basement upgrades, and complete house renovations.

Featured Projects

This stunning transitional kitchen is one of the firm’s notable projects and features traditional and contemporary design elements. Its black cabinetry, white walls, and silver hardware add a modern feel to the space. The traditional elements—the hardwood flooring, wooden island, and large windows—bring in lots of natural light and bring balance to the design.

About 4Ever Remodeling

Since its establishment in 2011, 4Ever Remodeling has been committed to producing unique projects that use current building trends and technology to ensure increased efficiency and effectiveness for each project. Thanks to the firm’s emphasis on providing quality and innovation, it delivers solutions and creative insights while developing the project based on the client’s expectations and specifications. Its knowledge and experience enable it to provide outstanding results through high-quality workmanship, premium materials, and cutting-edge technology. With a focus on excellence, the whole 4Ever team works to surpass expectations and produce high-quality projects on time and within budget while also providing professional, dependable services. This commitment has resulted in a long list of pleased and repeat customers.

Featured Projects

Completed in 2021, this contemporary kitchen remodel in Chicago is one of the firm’s best. It features a clean, sleek, and modern design through the predominant use of white colors, including the cabinetry and the countertop. The kitchen island serves as the focal point of the entire space with its eye-catching blue cabinetry. The gray walls are complemented by the light hardwood flooring, which balances out the elegant design.

About Barts Remodeling

Based in Park Ridge, Illinois, Barts Remodeling & Construction Inc. is a design-build firm that specializes in high-quality remodeling services. Its extensive portfolio demonstrates its capacity to produce outstanding projects, including additions, attic conversions, kitchen remodels, custom home remodels, rooftop decks, basement renovations, and bathroom remodels. The firm’s workforce includes more than twenty seasoned experts who bring years of experience and knowledge to the firm’s projects. Its dedication to excellence and customer satisfaction has earned the firm a reputation as one of Chicago’s best design-build firms. Since its inception in 2005, the firm has remained true to the ideals that motivated it from the beginning—integrity, honesty, and responsibility.

Featured Projects

One of the firm’s noteworthy projects is the Kitchen and Bathroom Remodel in Park Ridge. Its contemporary design features warm, wooden cabinetry paired with light hardwood flooring that creates a light and airy feel. Its teal backsplash adds a pop of color to the space, adding visual depth to the design.

About NEWLOOK Development

NEWLOOK Development, founded in 1985, is a design-build firm that provides customized attention, professional care throughout the process, and a dedication to providing a superb result. With its many possibilities to explore new ideas and challenge the current quo, the firm has built a diverse portfolio of custom home building, renovation, and brokerage. The firm’s one-of-a-kind mix of in-house knowledge in acquisition, design, and execution ensures that its customers receive total competence in all aspects of their projects. NEWLOOK has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to provide satisfaction and surpass expectations on many projects, from custom single-family homes to large-scale commercial projects.

Featured Projects

This featured project is a stunning kitchen remodel, featuring a sleek and modern design. It uses a monochromatic tone of whites, blacks, and grays, which creates a sleek, contemporary atmosphere when combined with stainless steel appliances and silver hardware. This L-shaped kitchen offers a smooth and seamless workflow. Its kitchen island can double as a breakfast bar and adds even more workspace.

About M5 Chicago

MFive is a Chicago-based home remodeling and renovation company that started in 1999. During its 23 years in the industry, the firm has built a reputation for delivering a range of projects, including new construction, single-family houses, complete renovations of existing homes, modular construction, and multi-family housing. The company offers house remodeling, home renovation, kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, and cabinet remodeling. It is committed to offering the finest possible completed product at competitive pricing by employing an integrated, hands-on approach, high-quality yet economical materials, and thorough attention to design and construction details. As a consequence of the firm’s excellent work, professionalism, and service, it has received several awards, features, and recognitions from happy clients and prestigious organizations such as Chicago Magazine and Voyage Chicago.

Featured Projects

The Dearborn Kitchen Remodel project features a rustic design using natural design elements such as wood and a warm, earth-toned color scheme. This small kitchen offers a lot of workspace with a functional and efficient workflow thanks to its L-shaped, open-concept layout. The kitchen island features plenty of storage space.

About Normandy Remodeling

Normandy Design Build Remodeling is a multi-award-winning remodeling firm founded in 1979 by Jack Steindl and Reg Marzec. This once small company has grown over the years to become one of the finest remodeling firms in Illinois. It now employs over 40 designers, architects, project managers, and craftspeople ready to work on top home remodeling and improvement projects. Room additions, kitchen, bathroom, basement remodeling, and exterior renovations are just some of the services it offers.

Featured Projects

From kitchen and bathroom remodeling to historic preservation, the firm is experienced and has been recognized for every variety of remodeling. Normandy Design Build Remodeling has an impressive list of local and national accolades, including a 2018 Professional Remodeler Design Award, multiple NARI Regional Contractor of the Year Awards, and several NARI Remodeling Excellence Awards. It has also consistently ranked as one of the national remodelers in Qualified Remodeler’s Top 500 and Remodeling’s Top 550.

About Benvenuti and Stein

Since 1977, Benvenuti and Stein has been establishing trust in Chicago and the North Shore through innovative design solutions and skillful custom home construction. The design-build firm provides all three disciplines of design, construction, and custom cabinetry from a single source. Designers and construction crews work together to provide streamlined building and remodeling solutions. The company also produces cabinetry at its Evanston millwork facility. The team creates, builds, assembles, and installs custom millwork tailored to suit the client’s needs, even integrating appliances and built-in electronics to ensure a perfect fit.

Featured Projects

The firm has won multiple awards, including the 2020 Chrysalis Award for Residential Specialty under $50,000, the 2016 Winnetka Preservation Award for Rehabilitation, and the 2015 Professional Remodeler Magazine Design Award. With over four decades in the business, clients continue to seek out the firm’s expertise due to its ability to combine veteran crafts people’s experience and precision with contemporary ideas, techniques, and technology.

About DJK Custom Homes

Specializing in custom homes, bathrooms, kitchens, basement remodeling, masonry, and installation since 1988, DJK Custom Homes sees itself as more than just a home builder and is dedicated to building homes that are not only beautiful but healthy and energy-efficient as well. DJK Custom Homes was founded on founder Dan Kittilsen’s dream of providing community members with something they can enjoy for years and years as their families grow together.

Some of the company’s core values include quality craftsmanship, efficient design, unrivaled customer service, and experience. DJK Custom Homes is very proud of its reputation. The company has designed and built some of the most beautiful homes over the last 30 years, each one unique in its way. Its projects range in price from $400,000 to more than $5 million.

Featured Projects

The firm’s work has been recognized often. The firm was named the 2021 Naperville Magazine Best Builder of Naperville, and it won the 2020 HBAGC Gold Key Award for Excellence, the 2020 Guildmaster Award, and the 2019 HBAGC Gold Key Award Winner for Division 1 Single Family Custom Home.

About Chi Renovation and Design

Chi Renovation and Design, established in 2005, is located in Skokie and proudly serves residents of the Chicagoland area for all of their home renovation needs. Bathrooms, kitchens, basements, full home renovations, and everything in between are among its specializations. The firm offers a full range of services, everything from conceptual design to construction completion, and will work directly with clients to keep them updated throughout the process.

Chi Renovation and Design was founded to meet a critical need in the Chicago construction industry: the demand for high-quality design services from a reliable company. The firm is a member of the National Kitchen and Bath Association and the Better Business Bureau. Its priority is producing high-end designs executed with a high quality of construction. The result is client satisfaction.

Featured Projects

The company has seen much of its work in the press, including in the pages of Elle Decor, Retro-Fitted Style, Home Adore, Medium, Life, Texas Hill Country Magazine, and Country Living.

About 123 Remodeling

123 Remodeling is an award-winning design-build firm, working with clients from the earliest design stages through construction. With over 12 years of experience, it specializes in high-end kitchens, bathrooms, and home remodeling. The firm strives to provide clients with the peace of mind they deserve throughout each project.

The interior designers, architects, and remodelers at 123 Remodeling work with clients to ensure that their project is completed on time and to their satisfaction. The company works on all sizes and scopes of projects, everything from master baths and powder rooms to whole-house renovations. It is also licensed, bonded, and insured for more than $2 million, so clients can rest assured that they are in good hands when working with the firm.

Featured Projects

Sharone Lavi III currently leads 123 Remodeling. The company holds affiliations with multiple professional organizations, including the Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago, the National Kitchen and Bath Association, the Better Business Bureau, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, and the National Association of Home Builders.

About Areté Renovators

Areté Renovators is a 20-year-old family business that specializes in interior residential and commercial remodeling. Areté has performed over 2,000 remodeling projects in the Chicagoland area, working in 60% of Chicago’s downtown high rises. It has developed strong working relationships with building management, allowing the company to specialize in high-rise remodeling and become a partner of choice for property management companies throughout Chicago.

Areté was founded in 2001 by brothers Igor and Davor Jokanovic and their master carpenter father, Jovo. Their father hoped that he could market his skills in carpentry and custom millwork and work fewer hours to support their family. Igor and Davor left their finance careers in the mid-2000s to join Areté full-time and help grow the company and team.

Featured Projects

Areté Renovators, in collaboration with Areté The Art of Design, the company’s premier showroom and design center, offers general contracting and design services for single bathroom and kitchen remodels, full gut rehabs, and a mix of condo units, commercial storefront, lobby renovations, additions, and new construction.

Areté Renovators holds affiliations with the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce, the National Kitchen and Bath Association, the Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce, and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.

About Synergy Builders

Synergy Builders is a design-build home remodeling company based in West Chicago, founded in 2002. It works with homeowners in Chicagoland to remodel their spaces by offering a comprehensive portfolio of design and remodeling services. For over 15 years, Synergy has specialized in kitchen, bathroom, basement remodeling, whole-house design, and room additions. Its mission is to provide stress-free remodeling services to all of its customers.

Thanks to the team’s high work standards, its services are among the most sought-after in the area. Synergy Builders creates stunning spaces by combining unique construction solutions with established methods and coordination on every project.

Featured Projects

The firm has won the 2009 Remodeling 550 Award, the 2008 Remodeling Magazine’s Big50 Award, and the 2007 Top 500 Remodeler. The firm’s work has also been featured in a number of publications including The Daily Herald and Yield PRO.

About Callahan & Peters, Inc.

Callahan & Peters is a full-service design-build remodeling company in Glenview, serving the North Shore and surrounding communities for over 60 years. The firm is certified by the National Association of Home Builders as Aging In Place Specialists (CAPS) and is passionate about remodeling.

Leading Callahan & Peters as president is the National Association of the Remodeling Industry and National Association of Home Builders-certified David Callahan. Under his supervision, the company is EPA Lead-Safe and holds affiliations with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Mr. Callahan graduated from the University of Tulsa with a degree in business management.

Featured Projects

Callahan & Peters is also a recipient of GuildQuality’s GuildMaster Award (2017 and 2016) and the City of Evanston’s Margery Perkins Award (2014). On top of these honors, its works have also been featured by Remodeling Magazine (2007 and 2009).

About Leader Builders

Leader Builders has been serving Chicago, the North Shore, the Northwest and Western Suburbs, and Naperville for over 30 years as an award-winning design-build firm and general contractor. It specializes in architectural home additions and renovations, second-story additions, two-story kitchen and master suite additions, bungalow dormer additions, and attic conversions.

Leader Builders is a full-service firm that can take on any project. Its services include concept to completion, budget estimates, developing professional drawings and renderings, applying for permits, assisting with fixture and finish selection, coordinating trades, deliveries, and inspections, and overseeing construction for a quality result.

Featured Projects

Leading the company is Pete Antonow, whose expertise and background have been crucial for the company’s success, combined with the competence of the rest of the team. Multiple publications have featured Leader Builders under Pete’s oversight, including Trends Magazine, Chicago Tribune, The Wall Street Journal, Beautiful Home, and Garden Magazine.

About Barts Remodeling

Barts Remodeling & Construction is a Park Ridge-based design and construction company specializing in high-quality remodeling services such as additions, attic conversions, kitchen remodels, custom home remodels, rooftop decks, basement renovations, bathroom remodels, and more. Its team comprises over 20 experienced professionals who confidently demonstrate their abilities on a daily basis, and the results speak for themselves. Barts Remodeling is undoubtedly one of the best design-build firms in Chicago.

Principal Bartosz Dziewiecki’s family has been building and remodeling for several generations. Growing up in Poland, he gained valuable experience working for his grandfather’s construction company. Bart worked as a tradesman for various contractors and witnessed an entirely different approach than his grandfather had taught him. His ambitions led him to the United States in his early 20s in search of higher education and economic opportunities.

Featured Projects

Although the company is constantly growing and has a dedicated staff, Bart maintains a hands-on approach to his business, personally meeting with customers, providing estimates, managing projects, answering emails, and taking calls.

About Skycrest Homes

Skycrest Homes LLC is a full-service construction company in the Chicagoland area specializing in semi-custom and custom home designs that reflect its clients’ unique lifestyles and interests. A Skycrest home is guaranteed to exceed its clients’ expectations for remarkable craftsmanship. The firm provides everything from architectural planning and design to engineering and material selection, with pride in construction as its hallmark. Each Skycrest home is truly one-of-a-kind due to the staff’s meticulous attention to detail.

The firm provides a critical service in assisting homeowners with the expertise required to build, expand, and maintain their homes. It is also committed to ensuring the job’s success by being on-site most days until the project is completed and making itself available according to its clients’ schedules.

Featured Projects

As an Illinois licensed real estate agent, founder Dan Beniek has an extensive background in the local real estate market and can assist homebuyers in selecting the best location to meet their exact needs. In addition to his years of experience as a real estate agent and homebuilder, Dan is also a licensed CPA, ensuring that the custom home is built on time and within budget.

About Core Remodel

Core Remodel LLC is a locally owned, boutique full-service remodeling and restoration firm serving downtown Chicago, the North Shore, and the Western Suburbs. Its area of expertise is completely remodeling an entire condo or single-family home, specalizing primarily in new kitchens and bathrooms. The firm provides high-quality design, material selection, and functionality on those projects.

Core Remodel will work with clients throughout the entire process, which includes the initial no-cost consultation, the estimate and design review, the material selection, pre-construction meetings, walk-throughs, and daily and weekly written updates.

Featured Projects

Leading this BBB-accredited firm is Joe Chiavaroli, a graduate of Ohio State University in construction management. Modern Luxury Interiors Chicago has also featured the firm’s works under Mr. Chiavaroli’s supervision and guidance.

About JATES Construction

JATES Construction Inc. has over 30 years of experience in commercial and residential remodeling and construction. The firm enhances the home remodeling and construction experience while providing quality that will be appreciated for many years to come. The company also remodels kitchens, bathrooms, room additions, roofing, and siding—anything clients need updated or remodeled in their home, the firm can handle.

All of its clients’ design, installation, and remodeling queries are addressed by one of JATES Construction Inc.’s experienced and professional design specialists. The firm works directly with homeowners to beautify and increase the long-term value of their homes.

Founder Antonio Farias started his career in construction at a young age, working for his family’s construction company, where he held every position. He is now deeply invested in all operations at JATES Construction, serving as a strong leader for the team while always looking for new ways to improve, broaden, and share his passion with anyone in Chicagoland who is ready to transform their space.

Featured Projects

Antonio works alongside Marco Farias, who has spent his entire life in the construction industry, doing various jobs for his family’s company. He is most enthusiastic about the design phase of construction and enjoys collaborating with clients to ensure that they receive excellent collaboration, comfort, and understanding throughout the remodeling project.

About Icon Remodeler Chicago

Icon Remodeler Chicago is its clients’ trusted partner in bathrooms, kitchens, and basement renovations. The firm meets clients’ specific needs while appealing to their style. It is a fully licensed, insured, and bonded full-service contractor that offers unrivaled expertise and professionalism in all aspects of design and installation.

The firm’s goal is to make the remodeling and renovation experience as risk-free and stress-free as possible while also ensuring clients receive unrivaled service in collaboration, responsiveness, and attentiveness. All of this is made possible by Tom Slaga’s leadership and the expertise of the rest of the team at Icon Remodeler Chicago.

Featured Projects

Clients of Icon Remodeler Chicago can expect outstanding quality, attentiveness, and affordability. The firm’s craftsmanship is combined with the staff’s dedication, and the result is excellent customer service. As a result, Icon is one of Chicago’s most trusted remodeling and renovation contractors.

About JAR Corp.

JAR Corp. is Chicago’s premier general contracting firm. It aims to improve all facets of its clients’ homes through ground-up construction, complete renovations, interior and exterior painting, custom finishes, and maintenance services. Clients from Chicago’s Gold Coast and North Shore have been completely satisfied with their improved homes for nearly 30 years.

Featured Projects

JAR Corp. takes pride in providing customized solutions for complete kitchen and bath remodels. The firm can transform any space, regardless of the client’s vision. No request is too big, small, or imaginative for its team, especially under Jonathan Rubenstein’s direction.

About CBD Architects

CBD Architects has made a name for itself in the hospitality sector and has set the bar for outstanding architecture and interior design services. Jeremiah Johnson, the company’s founder, works closely with each client, imparting his deep understanding of technical architecture as well as his playful design perspective. For more than two decades, Jeremiah’s career has revolved around transforming hospitality spaces, particularly restaurants and nightclubs. As a restaurant and bar owner himself, Jeremiah has personal experience with the interplay between interior design and effective operations. He is also a founding partner in Rollins Johnson, a general contracting company in New Orleans, and a partner in TAI Architecture with Francois Frossard in Miami.

Featured Projects

Jeremiah was honored by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) with the Best-of-Class Award for various projects. His management and direction have been invaluable for the firm with commissions like Crosby’s Kitchen. This restaurant, named for one of the owner’s daughters, was designed with a bar, woodwork, and street-front windows. The family-friendly spot has doorways wide enough to accommodate strollers and a sink in the dining room for quick cleanup of messy hands. Its light, airy vibe is enlivened by pops of blue and red on the ceiling and seat cushions.

About Aria Group Architects

Aria Group Architects champions collaboration and ownership by helping clients tell their stories through personality-rich designs and multi-sensory experiences. Throughout the years, the firm has created a vast portfolio that includes restaurants, hotels, and entertainment complexes. Its core operations revolve around commercial and hospitality markets, with each project crafted to reflect a modern aesthetic and structural proficiency. Aria Group Architects uses architecture as a tool to help clients compete, draw the attention of their target market, and drive foot traffic and word of mouth.

James R. Lencioni is the president of Aria Group Architects, Inc. He is licensed in 42 states and is certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). He has been on the board of directors for the West Cook YMCA and was board chair for three years. He brings over 35 years of experience in hospitality projects, assisting Aria Group Architects in developing new concepts or refreshing existing concepts to stay competitive in this expanding market segment.

Featured Projects

Bar Sotano is a testament to the firm’s high standards. The diamond pattern, created by cutting the leaves off of the agave “pina” before roasting, is visible on items such as millwork, the modern tufting on the banquettes, and the hot pink elevator gates used as dividers to create more intimate settings amongst guests. The back bar shelving mimics the look of stacked crates holding various mezcals and tequilas. The colors used throughout the space are drawn from modern Mexican motifs.

About OKW Architects

Originally founded in 1959 as Otis Associates Inc., a merger with Koglin Wilson brought OKW Architects to industry prominence, a company that stands today as one of Chicago’s top providers of urban design. The firm offers architecture, interior design, planning, landscape architecture, simulation, and identity design. An innovative and collaborative spirit is weaved into the studio’s operations, an effective process grounded in relationship-driven and client-oriented service. One of OKW Architect’s key goals is to elevate its community through long-standing buildings in retail, hospitality, corporate, institutional, and housing markets.

Under the leadership of chairman and CEO Jon P. Talty, the firm has expanded its operations and earned numerous accolades, creating a deep, diverse resume and a solid reputation created by the work of its talented team. Talty is a member of the Management and Advisory Boards of the Urban Land Institute and the Chairman of Mission Advancement for the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Chicago.

Featured Projects

The Time Out Market in Chicago is an OKW-designed structure in the Fulton Market Historic District. The new construction references the original historic two-story building that the Market replaced with a rooftop bar and terrace incorporated into the new design. It is constructed of precast wall panels clad in brick salvaged from the 1890s-era building. The building features an open atrium on the second floor below a monumental skylight, with storefront and window detailing inspired by historical photos of the building from the Landmarks archives.

About Myefski Architects

Form and function are two of the key traits that define every Myefski Architects project. The firm strives to create structurally sound and practical designs with excellent visual quality, a mission reflected in its rich and diverse portfolio of commercial and residential projects. The firm’s work can be found in Chicago and Michigan, in projects that range from restaurants and retail facilities to offices and cultural establishments. These stellar projects have received accolades such as the Gold Award from the International Design Awards and the Gold Award from the Association of Licensed Architects.

Led by president and principal John Myefski, each member of its team is versed in providing innovative solutions and flexible design elements on every project. Myefski’s core offerings include architecture, planning, and interior design. Adaptive reuse and sustainable design are also practiced in an effort to create environmentally-responsible spaces and improve people’s quality of life.

Featured Projects

Pizzeria Portofino is a project designed by Myefski Architects. Located along the Chicago Riverwalk, this grotto-inspired restaurant consists of indoor and outdoor dining areas with seating for 186 guests. Evoking the Italian Riviera, Pizzeria Portofino features an expansive patio, breezy decor, and boat docking.

About Pappageorge Haymes Partners

Founded by AIA members George Pappageorge, NCARB, and David A. Haymes in 1981, Pappageorge Haymes Partners (PH) started with the goal of reactivating the under-utilized buildings and urban fabric of Chicago. The firm quickly established its reputation as a team of locally influential designers, garnering six AIA Chicago Chapter design awards in its first four years. After 40 years, PH’s reputation as an innovator in contextual, site-appropriate urban architecture has expanded to the rest of the US, with projects ranging from small boutiques to historic renovations, adaptive reuse, hotels, and redevelopment of suburban mall sites. At its core, PH remains a small, nimble, urban firm anchored on the value of its people.

Featured Projects

As esteemed members of the AIA, George and David ensure that each PH project embodies the principles of the organization. The Big Grove is a testament to this. The stylish, rural contemporary restaurant and microbrewery offers interior seating for nearly 160 guests and an additional 50 on the exterior patio. The interior is clad in brick and wood and supported by exposed metal trusses. The team tackled the unique challenge of constructing a small brewery from the ground up and designed a space for producing three to four house-brewed beers that are offered in addition to a range of craft and local brands.

About SPACE Architects + Planners

SPACE Architects + Planners is staffed by design professionals who are experienced in providing creative and solution-oriented designs. Principals and AIA members Jean Dufresne, Jay Keller, and Ramiel Kenoun believe that thoughtful architecture serves as the foundation of a strong community. Together, they guide the firm in building strong client relationships rooted in open communication, mutual respect, and a shared vision. SPACE Architects + Planners leverages its technical expertise to handle design issues quickly and employs its eye for detail to shape spaces that represent clients’ vision.

Featured Projects

Inspired by the vibrant and storied culture of Mexican barrios, Tuco and Blondie is ornate with graphic murals, colorful tile, and nostalgic elements to create a fun and lively spot for families and taco-lovers alike. The sprightly colors extend to the chairs, shelving, and lighting fixtures that accessorize the restaurant. Large fold-up windows open up the dining space to the outdoors and provide the bar seating with a direct view of the street, blurring the boundary between inside and outside.

About D+K Architects

Dunne & Kozlowski (d+k) is a full-service design studio comprised of Architects and interior designers which is built on the foundation of putting their clients’ success first. A collaborative approach, focused on creating a partnership grounded in the reality of running a business, is ingrained into its process, which guarantees accuracy and efficiency on every project. Customers are guided by the firm from the planning stages up until completion, and client input is prioritized to create designs that reflect their vision with absolute precision. Throughout the years, the firm has created a vast portfolio of projects which includes upscale restaurants, boutique hotels, corporate, retail, and residential. Each project is crafted to reflect a modern aesthetic and structural proficiency.

Corey Dunne and Paul Kozlowski serve as owners and principal architects of d+k. Both Illinois Institute of Technology alums have spent decades building a solid network of clients through consistent design and architecture prowess. A strong focus not only on design excellence but also on top-tier management and service has elevated d+k’s profile into one of the best in the region, earning recognition from industry organizations, publications, and customers.

Featured Projects

Blufish Sushi is a great example of the firm’s work. The high-end modern Japanese restaurant is beautifully lit by chandeliers, wall-mounted fixtures, and pendants hanging between a custom designed ceiling element comprised of delicate gold chains arranged to form curved figures. The ceiling element was designed by d+k and fabricated. No detail is overlooked from the development of the concept through the sourcing of finishes, furniture, and artwork. The custom designed bar glows from behind with layered lighting in lieu of the accent lighting on the display shelf. The moody, elegant ambiance coupled with Blufish’s signature dishes offer locals an elevated dining experience.

About Berman Architecture

Berman Architecture is a national practice with a strong focus on creative, practical, and comprehensive design. The firm starts each project with a visual discussion, using fast 3D freehand sketches to quickly and effectively communicate raw design ideas. The Berman team employs technology to help project owners, contractors, engineers, and consultants collaborate quickly and thoughtfully. The company aims to elevate each business’s story and brand throughout the design process spearheaded by Joel Berman. Joel is a member of the Association of Licensed Architects and a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional. The NCARB-certified architect has authored and developed many of the strategies the firm has used to respond creatively to the needs of its clients while staying on top of the current trends.

Featured Projects

One of Berman Architecture’s most prominent projects is the Grail Café. The business is positioned to transition from cafe to bar throughout the day, serving coffee, tea and pastries in the morning, then dinner and drinks in the evening. Berman Design created the schematic design, the kitchen layout, and provided interior design services. The wooden finishes on the furniture and bar create a cozy, rustic feel. The cushioned cabinet suspended above the bar adds a touch of sophistication to the space.

About Moss Design

As an LEED-accredited firm, Moss Design is a practice that upholds sustainable architecture methods and a strict commitment to every project’s timeframe and budget. One of the company’s key goals is to elevate its community through long-standing buildings in the residential, commercial, and hospitality markets. The multi-disciplinary studio excels in top-notch interiors, urban planning, and custom furniture service, fostering camaraderie between employees with its stellar work. Outstanding projects by Moss have earned numerous awards over the years, including the 2018 Mighty Eagle Award and the 2017 Historic Preservation Award.

Moss Design’s masterful use of sustainable materials to connect the landscape with the built environment stems from founder Matt Nardella’s passion for sustainable architecture and urban design. Matt spent nearly ten years shaping energy-efficient spaces using site orientation and the creative use of green building techniques. As a LEED AP and AIA member, he understands the urban environment and how to sustain it as a community for all living things. He volunteers as a Treekeeper for the 47th Ward Green Council and the Openlands Project.

Featured Projects

Moss Design has combined weathered concrete, handcrafted millwork, and scalloped ceiling baffles to transform this empty space into a contemporary coffee shop for Dollop Coffee. Drawing inspiration from nature, the firm has installed and fabricated sculptural ceiling panels and ripple wood bar that resembles the waters in the nearby Lake Michigan. For the design, the firm took a minimalist approach. With the right combination of industrial and wood elements, earthy tones, and whimsical mural artwork, the firm created a space that captured the atmosphere of a cozy coffee shop by day and a fancy lounge by night.

About Rugo Raff Architects

Rugo Raff Architects (Rugo / Raff) is a multidisciplinary firm that focuses on single-family homes, restaurants, private clubs, and institutional buildings. The firm’s projects include new construction and historic restoration in urban, suburban, and resort settings across the United States. The firm’s work encompasses new construction and historic restoration in urban, suburban, and resort areas throughout the country. Collaboration is the cornerstone of the firm’s design process, which stimulates open discussion and ensures collaboration from all team members. The feedback and participation of clients, on the other hand, is crucial in this partnership approach. Rugo / Raff won multiple historical preservation awards and the 2019 Acanthus Award for Residential Architecture.

Steve is the principal of Rugo / Raff in Chicago. He is a former member of the Associate’s Board at Rush Presbyterian Medical Center and the Auxiliary Board at the Art Institute of Chicago. He is currently a member of the Low Country Institute in Okatie, South Carolina, and the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art. The AIA member was appointed as the head of the Housing Committee for Guri, a newly developed city in the Gyeonggi Province of South Korea.

Featured Projects

Steve led Rugo Raff Architects in bringing the concept for Virtue to life and showcasing American southern flavors. The restaurant evokes the warmth of the owner’s great-grandmother’s home in the warm lighting, china plating, and meaningful artwork. The project team repainted the former A10 space and added pieces created by some of the client’s artisan friends. Cabinets are decorated with African symbols meaning “courage,” “freedom,” and “wisdom.” Baskets hang from the ceilings and a few TVs are scattered throughout the bar.

About BBA Architects

Burns + Beyerl Architects (BBA Architects) is a collective of design professionals with a common vision and passion for architecture, planning, and design. Founded in 1993, the firm has grown into a well-respected Chicago firm through hard work and uncompromised attention to design and detail. Its working philosophy is that successful architecture evolves through humble, team-based efforts. The firm’s approach has been developed by founder and principal Joel Berman, an expert on a vast spectrum of design disciplines. Joel is a member of the Association of Licensed Architects (ALA), a LEED Accredited Professional, and certified by NCARB. He is licensed to practice in nine states as well. With Joel at the helm, the studio has worked with over 500 clients throughout the US.

Featured Projects

BBA Architects is responsible for the design of Frog n’ Snail. A neighborhood bistro in the heart of Lakeview, the french-inspired menu and casual setting of the restaurant brings the neighborhood together over frog legs and snail ragout. The decor elevates this local gem with a mix of sophisticated dark colors, shimmery wallpaper, and a stunning bar using reclaimed wood.

About Barker Nestor, Inc.

Based in Chicago, Barker Nestor is a studio with a proficient grasp on building design for the hospitality and entertainment industries. For over 25 years, Barker Nestor has shown a strong commitment to crafting beautiful and functional spaces that are livable and visually remarkable. Architectural design and construction documentation and administration are at the core of the studio’s work, from take-over modifications of existing facilities to complete multi-concept, multi-state/unit roll-outs.

In over 30 years of practice, co-founder Kevin Barker has designed every project type with a strong focus on hospitality and entertainment. Kevin is currently licensed to practice in 26 key market states and holds an NCARB certificate. Kevin is also the president of Barker Construction Specialties which specializes in exterior hotel restoration projects nationwide. On the other hand, Ryan Nestor orchestrates collaborations with Barker Nestor clients, architects, engineers, interior designers, graphic designers, and brand designers in custom dynamic design processes that have resulted in the design for the Bandit restaurant and bar in Chicago.

Featured Projects

Bandit combines the charm and character of a local watering hole/neighborhood bar, with the sophistication and quality of an upscale, chef-driven restaurant. The design of the restaurant is a juxtaposition of rustic materials, vintage paraphernalia, and polished décor. It is glamor meets grit with warm ambient twinkle lights and combined with edgy neon bar signs that create an inviting feel for the restaurant.

About Dearborn Architects

Established in 1998, Dearborn Architects is a renowned local studio with a portfolio that includes projects in Chicago, Wisconsin, Texas, and even Guangzhou, China. The firm made its mark in the industry through a deep understanding of complex buildings and structures, allowing its team to excel in building modification and redevelopment. The global firm is helmed by architects and principals Homan Wong and Steven Smutny, seasoned professionals with vast experience in the industry.

Wong is an affiliate of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and a registered energy professional with over 30 years of industry experience. The well-connected architect has lent his expertise in master planning, public work, and commercial sectors to the studio for over 18 years, creating complex designs and innovative solutions across the country. Co-principal Smutny is a LEED AP accredited by the NCARB and the ALA. A renowned architect with a solid grasp of the balance between functional and aesthetic design, Smutny is an asset with an impressive body of work that includes historic renovations, corporate interiors, warehousing, and more.

Featured Projects

The project featured here is an upscale boutique designed by Dearborn Architects. The stylish 1,000-square-foot restaurant comfortably seats 28 people under the canopy of a custom sculpture emerging from the floor. A luminous glass jewel box with custom applique, visible through the large storefront windows, acts as a beacon to would-be diners.

About Senga Architects

Senga Architects provides modern architectural services that includes facility administration, negotiation, evaluation, planning, and design. The firm fosters a collaborative environment to complete projects of varying scales. Founding principal Firmin S. Senga makes sure that the firm prioritizes clients’ satisfaction. He holds a membership with the AIA and is a LEED Accredited Professional in Building Design and Construction. Firmin pioneered the Senga process, which ensures its designs maximize a building’s potential.

Featured Projects

The company’s projects are designed to improve the users’ and community’s quality of life. The firm’s portfolio is decorated with contemporary, modern, and classic architecture. An excellent example of its work is The Dawson in Chicago. The Dawson’s interior design draws inspiration from the history of the neighborhood and the industrial innovation of that era. It offers an artfully stripped-down aesthetic, incorporating reclaimed wood, salvaged brick, and exposed steel. Banquettes upholstered in military canvas and a bar area with colorful floor tiles accentuate the first level. The first and second floors carry a “night and day” feel, connected by a long, angled metal staircase clearly visible to the street through floor-to-ceiling windows as well as a guest elevator. A notable piece upstairs is the “Devil’s Den,” a backroom with denim-covered walls and a fireplace that can be used for private events.

About Brininstool + Lynch

For 30 years, Brininstool and Lynch have produced work defined by elegance, clarity, and rigor. Spanning every scale and scope, the firm’s 250 projects are the result of a considered investigation into the social and environmental context, as well as a careful understanding of the client’s ambitions. Over the past 32 years, Brininstool + Lynch’s founding principal, Brad Lynch, has guided designs ranging from high-rise mixed-use towers and corporate headquarters, to film facilities and museums, through private residences and master plans. With 40 years of experience with projects of various types and scopes, David Brininstool, on the other hand, brings immense building expertise and leadership to his role as a cofounder of Brininstool + Lynch. Their efforts have resulted in the design of the VSA Partners, Inc. headquarters in the historic Montgomery Ward Warehouse along the Chicago River.

Featured Projects

Dividing a vast loft space into large “work room” studios, designers and strategists enjoy expansive views of the city and abundant natural light. An inner core provides space for partner offices, client meeting areas, and “phone booths” for private conversations. Throughout, custom furniture is mixed with modernist classic pieces, while many finishes are made from recycled products.

About Pappageorge Haymes Partners

Founded by AIA members George Pappageorge, NCARB, and David A. Haymes in 1981, Pappageorge Haymes Partners (PH) started with the goal of reactivating the under-utilized buildings and urban fabric of Chicago. The firm quickly established its reputation as a team of locally influential designers, garnering six AIA Chicago Chapter design awards in its first four years. After 40 years, PH’s reputation as an innovator in contextual, site-appropriate urban architecture has expanded to the rest of the US, with projects ranging from small boutiques to historic renovations, adaptive reuse, hotels, and redevelopment of suburban mall sites. At its core, PH remains a small, nimble, urban firm anchored on the value of its people.
As esteemed members of the AIA, George and David ensure that each PH project embodies the principles of the organization. The Big Grove is a testament to this. The stylish, rural contemporary restaurant and microbrewery offers interior seating for nearly 160 guests and an additional 50 on the exterior patio. The interior is clad in brick and wood and supported by exposed metal trusses. The team tackled the unique challenge of constructing a small brewery from the ground up and designed a space for producing three to four house-brewed beers that are offered in addition to a range of craft and local brands.

Featured Projects

The project team rehabilitated an existing heavy timber and masonry building for use as a new company headquarters and brokerage facility. It consists of two trading floors, an expansive computer room, an executive board room, and employee dining facilities, in addition to the office and support functions. The façade of the building is given a new limestone cladding at the first two floors, following a classical motif. The building interior is highlighted by a terraced lobby running the length of the building with an observation area overlooking a trading floor. Mahogany paneling and terrazzo flooring are continued on the seventh floor executive reception area which terminates below a pyramidal skylight.

About Wright Heerema Architects

For 26 years, Wright Heerema Architects (WHA) has focused on integrated master planning, programming, architecture, and interior design that has ushered the firm towards winning Architect of the Year at the 2020 Greater Chicago Food Depository Awards. With accreditation from the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), the firm is well-versed in the challenges and complexities of designing corporate headquarters, office buildings, higher education projects, and interior architecture.

Featured Projects

WHA’s approach to design and architecture is inspired by Stephen Wright, the Founder and Managing Principal of the company. He has 40 years of experience designing corporate and investment office properties across the United States. Steve is also a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional. He guides the WHA team in ensuring the client’s business and design goals are met. Power Construction’s new Chicago headquarters is a testament to this. The 33,000-square-foot, two-level corporate workspace was designed to promote their new company culture and improve collaboration among project teams with an open floor plan. A variety of conference rooms and touch-down spaces were also incorporated throughout both floors. The sustainability principles were implemented in the rebranding of the space, allowing the project to obtain LEED-CI Silver certification.

About Partners By Design

Partners By Design (PBD) is an architectural firm that provides master planning, programming, architecture, workplace and brand strategy, as well as interior design services. It has been named Interior Design Firm of the Year at Crain’s Chicago Business Commercial Real Estate Awards multiple times. The firm’s experience in education, corporate, health, technology, and non-profit projects is a result of its ability to help clients define and realize their long-term goals. Using expertise refined by years of award-winning work and a firm understanding of building technology and trends, Partners By Design develops a fully integrated design solution and drives it to a successful completion.
With 30 years of experience in shell building and corporate interior design, principal Ron Carlson has primarily focused on the corporate commercial interior market in Chicago and across the country. As evidenced by his founding of Autoprogram and proprietary miSEAT technology, Ron has continued his entrepreneurial ingenuity and commitment to PBD’s diversification and strategic growth.

Featured Projects

Peapod, the country’s leading online grocer, enlisted the help of PBD in designing their new headquarters. The team took advantage of the building’s large floorplate, generous natural light, and views along the river. The heart of the new design is the café, centered on a mix of open workstations and collaboration areas. Additionally, their brand comes to life in whimsical fashion through food-themed installations interspersed throughout.

About Collective Office

Collective Office creates designs that express its client’s stories through physical space. The firm works to understand each client’s lifestyle, behaviors, and habits to ensure the project is tailored to them. It is led by its founding principal, Jeff Klymson, a member of the AIA and certified by NCARB. Jeff established Collective Office with the philosophy that design stems from practice and research. The practice provides a project-specific, detail-oriented process, while research is the convergence of architecture and the branded world. He aims to use this idea to create a more intuitive connection for people within their own built environments. Collective Office employs this process on all of its projects, including Chicago’s First Lady Corporate Office.

Featured Projects

In addition to open areas for work stations that allow ample space for expansion and private offices, alternate working locations have been carefully crafted to facilitate collaboration, privacy, or simply a change in scenery. An informal meeting “nook” provides space for meetings that do not require the use of one of the two conference rooms. The cafe has a kitchen island with a waterfall edge and a family-style table that is used for collaborating outside of the lunch hour. The primary conference room features a folding glass partition that allows the space to merge seamlessly with the entrance to facilitate seasonal workers for training and company parties.

About Blender Architecture

Blender Architecture is a firm established by Maria Segal and Richard Blender in 2012. The studio specializes in residential, retail, office, and educational projects, each completed with quality design and painstaking precision. A prominent name in the region, the company is certified as one of Goldman Sachs’s 10,000 Small Business Programs in 2016 and has been featured in publications like Modern Luxury Outdoor Living and Architect Online Journal. The firm’s success can be attributed to a number of factors, such as its commitment to client collaboration, sensory design, and quality service.

Featured Projects

Blender Architecture fully renovated and upgraded this building to create the Ink Factory office. The first floor is their work space and the second floor has two rental apartments. Graphic artists and administrative staff work both in groups and individually so the space contains areas that can open to one another or separate for acoustic isolation and visual organization. To achieve their need for flexible use of space, Blender incorporated sliding glass partitions, a full-height opaque curtain, and custom made ‘nesting’ benches.

About Goettsch Partners

Goettsch Partners (GP) is an architecture and design firm based in Chicago with Shanghai and Abu Dhabi offices. Since its inception in 1938, the firm has taken a unique approach to design that combines years of experience and its commitment to excellence. Its impressive portfolio includes diverse projects that have been finished and are spread across five continents. Each project design starts with several ideas and scenarios that aim to meet the client’s needs and demands while considering its possible effects on the environment. The firm uses a design technique that is bold and clear and highlights well-crafted technical solutions that work well.

Featured Projects

On the upper eight floors of the 300 East Randolph building, which GP designed, is the top international law firm, Baker & McKenzie. About 700 lawyers and staff work in the space used by both its Chicago practice and its Global Services division. The transformative, cutting-edge work environment gives the global law firm new ways to work together, be flexible, and talk about its brand. The office design also considers the building’s architecture by using the building’s unique northern atrium, which provides a lot of natural light, large, efficient floor plates, and inviting spaces for people to gather.

About CannonDesign

CannonDesign is an integrated design firm founded in 1945 with the primary goal of helping people keep getting better. The firm has a staff of over 1,000 creative thinkers dedicated to coming up with solutions to its clients’ construction requirements. Whether through health care, inclusive communities, or commercial spaces, the firm takes a living-centered design that allows it to create spaces that elevate the community and its lifestyle. It has proven its ability to deliver projects that deal with the complicated ways people, businesses, communities, society, and the environment depend on each other.

Featured Projects

The firm designed Echo Global Logistics’s 132,000 square-foot expansion of its headquarters. The project reflected the client’s branch by including the word “ECHO,” consisting of four big, weathered steel letters. It provides a changing experience, where The E is perfectly lined up and bright when you walk in, but the O looks darker and abstract. Each letter comes into a similar focus as the person moves while the others change shape.

About HOK

HOK is a global architectural firm that designs, builds, engineers, and plans, with 24 studios on three continents. Since its inception in 1955, the firm has consistently delivered buildings and spaces that meet people’s and the environment’s needs. It is backed by a team of expert designers rooted in technical excellence, driven by imagination, and focused on a single goal: to give clients and communities solutions that inspire them. As a result, the firm has earned a long list of satisfied clients with its solid track record of delivering exceptional projects on time and within budget.

Featured Projects

WPP’s new vertical campus in Chicago is a model for the future office. In the always-changing world of advertising and media agencies, this consolidation makes WPP more flexible because it only has to deal with one office location instead of many different places and leases. The design reflects the culture of both WPP and the Fulton Market District, with the historic district seen through windows from floor to ceiling. The site’s industrial past is shown in the decorative iron grid boxes, punched and textured metal walls, and rope lines at the bottom.

About Lamar Johnson Collaborative

Lamar Johnson Collaborative (LJC) is a full-service architecture and design firm founded in 2019. The firm has been in the industry for two years, and it has remained committed to its goal of improving the human experience through design and architecture. With a team of highly-skilled professionals, the firm helps its clients reach their goals and dreams by using the power of integrated design. Its comprehensive services include architecture, workplace strategy, interior design, landscape architecture, urban planning, and engineering.

Featured Projects

Sloan wanted to make a showroom about hospitality, learning, and working together. LJC’s design team came up with flexible space and displays that take up as little space as possible while showing Sloan’s wide range of products. All of this was done while keeping Sloan’s primary goals of conservation, efficiency, and quality in mind. The showroom shows off both its products’ beauty and cutting-edge technology.

About Solomon Cordwell Buenz

Solomon Cordwell Buenz (SCB) is a firm that works all over the country in architecture, interior design, and planning. Over the years, the firm has expanded its reach with offices in Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, and Seattle. Since 1931, SCB has left a lasting mark on the nation’s skyline, campuses, and neighborhoods by helping clients from all over the country reach their goals, serve their communities, and make their mark. With its impressive portfolio and superior quality, the firm has been recognized by several publications and has won several awards, such as an 2021 Design Excellence Award of Merit from AIA Chicago and an American Architecture Award.

Featured Projects

This featured project is a testament to the firm’s exceptional work. The Academic and Residential Complex is a new building at the University of Illinois at Chicago with various uses. It features a two-floor academic classroom building that is 52,000 square feet and a 10-story undergraduate residence hall that is 131,000 square feet.

About Ross Bar­ney Archi­tects

Ross Barney Architects is a Chicago-based architecture, urban design, and landscape architecture firm. The firm is known for working in the public realm, giving it a unique place in contemporary practice. Since its inception in 1981, it has solidified its reputation as one of the best in the industry with its diverse portfolio of impressive buildings that have become community icons. These include community buildings, campus buildings for top academic and research institutions, and inventive transit stations that connect lively neighborhoods.

Featured Projects

McDonald’s flagship restaurant in Chicago is one of the firm’s notable projects, which offers a very different from a typical prototype restaurant. A solar pergola connects the restaurant and gives it 55 percent of the electricity it needs. Under this “big roof,” open-air plazas, a park, and indoor dining areas all flow together.