The Second City’s Busiest Architects 

When one thinks of tech hubs in America, your mind will usually go straight to Silicon Valley or San Francisco.

Chicago usually isn’t too high on the list, but the Windy City is finally drawing more tech jobs and people into its limits. 

In 2017 and 2018, the city’s tech labor force grew 8% higher than 2015 and 2016.

That’s one reason why there’s so many multifamily construction projects being built in the Loop. 

In addition to tech jobs, Chicago also attracts top-notch architecture talent.

We’re going to be looking at four of the top multifamily architects with the most residential units in their pipelines.  

The first architecture firm on our list is the 2018 AIA Chicago Firm of the Year:

Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture

BuildCentral’s research shows that there are 2,794 units in either planning or construction. Let’s look at three of HPA’s current projects.  

AMLI 808 

Schedule	Work is expected to start in spring 2020 and be completed in spring 2022
Details	17 stories  297 apartments  Ten percent of the units will be affordable  6,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space  Bicycle parking

 

MDA 2 

Schedule	Planning, and a re-bidding will take place later in 2020
Details	Seven stories  5,500 square feet of retail space  Rooftop pool, amenity space and sixth-floor bridge  81 units

 

One Chicago 

Schedule	Work is underway and should be completed in August 2022
Details	Two luxury high-rise towers  Whole Foods grocery store  Life Time athletic club  45,000 square feet of office space   74 condominiums  795 apartments

 

bKL Architecture LLC

According to BuildCentral’s research, there are a combination of 2,696 units in either planning or construction. 

bKL is one of the city’s youngest firms, established in 2010, but don’t let that date fool you.

They’re one of the busiest and most well-respected architectural firms in Chicago.

Here’s three multifamily projects: 

3300 N Clark 

Schedule	Building permits have been issued and work should be completed in early 2021
Details	Nine-story building  Ground-floor retail and parking podium  Landscaped roof terrace  140 units

 

Cascade 

Schedule	Under construction and work should be completed in late 2022
Details	37-story tower  New park and pool deck  Multiple communal lounges and shared fire pits  503 apartments

 

300 North Michigan Tower 

Schedule	Under construction and work should be completed in late 2021
Details	47 stories  25,000 square feet of retail space  Top-floor amenities  280-room CitizenM hotel  290 residential units

 

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Solomon Cordwell Buenz & Associates, Inc.

According to BuildCentral’s research, there are a combination of 2,121 units in either planning or construction. 

SCB is working on projects from Boston all the way to Oakland and is one of the most respected firms in the country.

Here’s three of their multifamily projects in Chicago: 

Ogden Commons Phase I 

Schedule	Sitework is underway and work should be completed in early 2021
Details	Three stories  50,000 square feet of commercial space  Space for Sinai Health systems  111 apartments with 90% being affordable

 344 North Canal Apartment Tower 

Schedule	Planning, and public hearings are scheduled all through 2020
Details	33 stories  124 spaces in a parking garage  Small retail space  1,800-square-foot dog run  343 apartments, with ten percent being affordable

 

Fremont Square 

Schedule	Still in the planning stages
Details	40-story tower  Three stories of commercial space  500 units

 

Pappageorge Haymes Partners

According to BuildCentral’s research, there are a combination of 1,746 units in either planning or construction. 

In addition to commercial projects, Pappageorge Haymes often will design private residences.

Here’s three of their multifamily projects in Chicago. 

North Union Apartment Tower 

Schedule	A building permit has been issued and work should be completed in summer 2022
Details	Thirty stories  170 parking spaces  Pedestrial bridge  373 apartments, with ten affordable units

 Peabody School Redevelopment 

Schedule	A building permit has been issued and internal demolition and cleaning is underway
Details	Conversion of four-story former school  54,000 square feet  23 luxury apartments  Attached parking garage with an elevator and rooftop terrace

 

800 N. Milwaukee 

Schedule	Planning stages, and a building permit application has not been submitted
Details	Seven stories  Ground-floor commercial space and 23 parking spaces  97 apartments

 

We’re positive that these top multifamily architects will continue to help shape Chicago’s skyline.