With its glass and black metal cladding a reminder of Chicago’s industrial past and the tradition of printmaking in the area, The Reed is a bold residential tower which reflects the resurgence of the Chicago River as a recreational and natural amenity. 

The tower is offset on its podium to reduce shadowing on the adjacent park.  The building activates the park and river with an overlooking amenity deck and additional shared spaces at lower levels.  The double-height lobby reinforces the riverwalk at the street terminus. 

The façade patterning reflects the natural reed grasses that sway along the riverbank, while expressing the unit tiers inside with the pattern shifts. 

The exterior and interior spaces are harmoniously linked in material tone and quality, and in the repeated patterning throughout the common spaces and unit expressions.  The overall design promotes a holistic approach to the building’s aesthetics. 

As an industry leader in sustainability, Lendlease incorporated several building features and construction practices to minimize the development’s environmental impact. The Reed has achieved LEED Gold, Fitwel and ENERGY STAR certifications. Approximately 86% of construction waste was diverted from landfills for reuse, and more than 15% of the building materials contain recycled content and more than 28% are regionally supplied.  

An outcome of Lendlease’s core value of safety, precast concrete stairs were created at the ground level and then lifted into place, providing a safe stair access to the working decks. Additionally, Lendlease tested the use of a secondary screen to allow workers to freely install window wall components without the use of a manipulator and safety cables, which has provided an effective and safe environment for the team. 

The Reed was constructed with a high-performance building envelope to lower energy usage and includes a high-efficiency HVAC system, Energy Star appliances and energy-efficient thermal controls. Lendlease performed a Lifecycle Cost Analysis to support a lower-carbon materials strategy, setting a 10% carbon reduction target. As a result, The Reed was the first building in Chicago to use a proprietary low-embodied-carbon concrete mix that replaces up to 60% of Portland cement with slag. This lower-carbon concrete is stronger and can last up to 30 years longer than conventional concrete. 

The project dedicates a significant portion of the site to redeveloping existing brownfield land into a public park and riverwalk.

The Reed was constructed with minimal safety incidents: 

– The Southbank project as a whole reported 509,937 manhours, with a total of 5 lost time incidents. This translates to 9.8  incidents per 1 million manhours or 1.96  incidents per 200,000. 

– OSHA-recordable incidents totaled 14, with a rate of 27.56 incidents per 1 million manhours or 5.49 incidents per 200,000. 

Industry-leading practices contributed to the low rate of safety incidents, including: 

– Cast-in stair railings – Pre-fabricated stair railings with embeds allowed stairs to be compliant immediately upon formwork stripping; no temporary handrails were required after concrete stairs were poured. 

– Cast-in-place roof parapet – Team deliberately increased the height of the cast-in-place concrete roof parapet to greater than 48” for built-in fall protection during construction. 

– Balcony railings installed prior to window installation – Reduced fall-of-person risks by minimizing exposed edges. 

– Operable vent lock-outs – Window contractor implemented window vent lock-out program to prevent accidents involving fall-of-material by making unlockable operable vents lockable during construction. 

– Core climber-mounted trailing platform for elevator divider beam and elevator shaftwall installation – Eliminated potential fall hazards of an open shaft by allowing for controlled access to elevations where work was occurring. 

– Designed-access wireless hoist calling system utilized smart call buttons, which optimized hoist efficiency and reduced waiting times during construction. 

– Perimeter temporary railing stanchions coordinated with window system to allow window install to occur without removing perimeter protection. 

– Full cocoon for working decks during concrete operations in tower, and horizontal debris fan nets over public-facing elevations. Floor-to-floor netting installed on all floors between cocoon and window panel installation. 

The 43-story luxury skyscraper is an impressive addition to Chicago’s historic Fulton Market neighborhood. The 550,000 square-foot structure features convertible, one- to three-bedroom residences, including penthouses with sweeping views of Chicago’s historic Fulton Market District.

In designing The Row, Morris Adjmi Architects drew inspiration from the historic structures throughout the former meatpacking district and nearby L tracks, whose arched support beams are reflected in the building’s glass-and-steel facade. With its arched window and metal articulation repeated to the top of the building, The Row adds a contemporary yet classic look to the neighborhood.

Other distinguishing features include a podium enclosure with forward-facing decorative masonry with structural brick support to achieve fire-rating, articulating metal panels, and glazing.

The Row was built under new Affordable Illinois legislation, designating 20% of its 600 units affordable to retain neighborhood diversity.

In several instances, creative problem-solving held the project to its timeline and budget. For example, while the building was initially ahead of schedule, the building’s window system was delayed due to supply chain disruptions, which threatened to derail the timeline. The team had to make a critical decision: pay significant premiums for a different window system or wait for the supply chain to become unstuck and deliver the windows. With a timeline at stake, waiting was not an option. 

Instead, the team worked with the window suppliers to negotiate shipping terms and—just as important—payment terms that allowed for the payment process to begin when materials were loaded on ships in China and for immediate payment when the materials were received in the US. This allowed the contractor to be more agile with negotiations and cash flow, all possible due to the ownership’s direct involvement and payment creativity.  As a result of these efforts, windows began arriving, and installation started only one month late—a much shorter delay than initially projected. The extra month allowed the team to think creatively about loading, stocking, targeted overtime, and any factors that could help make up lost time, and they succeeded. Despite starting one month behind schedule, the window installation was completed more than one month ahead of schedule. 

Advanced technology also played a vital role in the project’s success. The team deployed new drone technology to pair real-time images with the 3D BIM model to identify and quicky correct errors before any concrete placement. Finding and addressing errors ahead of time effectively eliminated the need to core decks, cut holes, and rework. As a result, the superstructure was completed one month ahead of schedule.

Co-led by LR Contracting Company, a division of Related Midwest, and BOWA Construction, The Row Fulton Market pursued a new approach to high-rise construction by turning a unique set of challenges into opportunities to create a model for the future.  

The Row Fulton Market was in the design and planning stages in early 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, causing a domino effect of consequences that led many construction companies worldwide to put projects on hold immediately. Economic shock froze capital, and the supply chain ground to a halt. Given these challenges, Related Midwest decided to expand LR Contracting Company, its in-house general contracting arm, to take a leading role in general contracting services, creating a platform of complete control over the project.  

This approach opened another opportunity for Related Midwest to work with BOWA Construction, building on their 10-year partnership. As an African American-owned general contracting firm, BOWA assumed a leadership position in bringing this project to completion. The Row is the first high-rise in Chicago to have a minority-owned firm serve in this supervision capacity. The partnership also reflected a commitment to diversity and equity seen across the project. The entire project team exceeded the City of Chicago targets for inclusion, with 42% of contract work going to minority- and women-owned businesses. Inclusion goals were extended to the local community as well. The Row is the first high-rise completed in Chicago under the recently passed Affordable Illinois legislation, which offers tax incentives for developers who set aside 20% of units in new construction as affordable housing. Related Midwest was a key backer of this legislation and fought hard for its passage. As a result, we had the honor of bringing 60 high-quality, affordable units to a sought-after neighborhood that previously lacked affordable housing.

LR Contracting and BOWA also partnered with HIRE360, an organization dedicated to providing trade opportunities for underrepresented groups in Chicago. The team also offered mentorship opportunities through HIRE360 for high school group tours and apprenticeship programs for women. Through one such engagement, team members visited a group of students at Chicago’s Prosser Career Academy multiple times, sharing details about the project and the benefits of trade careers. As time passed, the team members developed mentorship relationships with these students and invited them for a building tour at The Row one month before opening.

The project approach to safety and wellness was well received by the project workforce. The project team engaged in monthly safety discussions with the entire workforce to review the current and upcoming work activities and jobsite hazards. A specific topic was selected and discussed with all tradesmen and women each month. When there were safety incidents, the team met to review and implement lessons learned and proactive measures to prevent reoccurrence. While the project experienced industry-average occurrences of minor injury and first aid treatment, the team’s approach to communication and inclusive behavior created a culture where the team collaborated and addressed safety and wellness. It was an overall positive experience for all. 

Located in Schaumburg, Illinois, The Quin offers 373 luxury apartment units and best-in-class amenities. The 700,000-square-foot development features four stories of wood frame construction wrapped around a precast parking garage. Units boast high-end features including quartz and granite countertops, stainless-steel appliances, kitchen islands with wine coolers, and balconies or patios. 

The property’s extensive amenity space allows residents to engage with each other to further strengthen the new community, and includes clubrooms, a fitness center, golf simulator, swimming pools, fire pits, gated dog parks, and walking paths.

Despite challenges stemming from material shortages and price escalations, McShane Construction Company successfully delivered the project after nearly 400,000 project man-hours with a perfect safety record. 

McShane worked to exceed the client’s expectations by delivering a spectacular final product and providing first-rate service. The project team maintained open communication with the owner, design team, and subcontractors throughout construction, with the shared goal of completing the project at the highest level of quality, within budget, and on schedule. Weekly coordination meetings were held to discuss solutions to various topics that were of importance to the client, including the ease of maintenance once the building was under operation. 

When challenges arose during construction, McShane was willing to find creative solutions that provided the best results for the client, rather than settling for the first or easiest solution. When a significant error was found in the foundation system of the parking garage, McShane spear-headed a unique repair to avoid dramatic impacts to the schedule that was half the cost of the original repair estimates. 

McShane also navigated the challenges of material shortages and price escalations. To overcome these challenges, the project team ordered materials early to secure lower pricing and worked closely with the design team and subcontractors to find alternate solutions in the event where a product became unavailable. For example, the team sourced an alternative light fixture manufacturer to provide economical fixtures similar to what the client utilizes on other projects. Additionally, McShane used available space on site to store materials that were ordered early to avoid price escalations, such as roofing, bathtubs, shower pans, siding, and windows. 

The Quin provides high-quality housing for 373 households in the village of Schaumburg, Illinois. The development was designed to include extensive amenity space – including clubrooms, a fitness center, a golf simulator, swimming pools, fire pits, gated dog parks, and walking paths – that allows residents to engage with each other to further strengthen the new community. 

Additionally, the construction of the project provided employment opportunities for 115 subcontractors and lower tier subcontractors, including a Women Business Enterprise (WBE) fencing company. 

McShane Construction Company instituted its comprehensive Safety and Quality Assurance program throughout the project, led by the firm’s dedicated Vice President of Safety and Risk Management. McShane’s priority on safety and its high standards of training, implementation, and on-site supervisory governance provided a superior degree of awareness and safe practices throughout the construction process. As a result, the project team was able to prevent safety incidents through the duration of construction. In the end, after nearly 400,000 project man-hours, The Quin was completed with a perfect safety record.

The Dylan, a new mixed-use tower in Chicago’s booming Fulton Market District, is a 29-story residential development rising 335 feet in height. The 282-unit building offers 89 above grade parking stalls and a variety of amenities, including a fitness center, coworking space, various lounges, and more than 15K SF of elevated outdoor space – amenity terrace, dog run, and outdoor kitchen. The 29th floor rooftop features a pool sitting at the highest elevation in Fulton Market, coupled with expansive views of Chicago’s skyline. The Dylan offers a diverse unit mix of studio up to three-bedroom apartments, including 12 penthouse units and 28 ARO units. The development includes ground-floor retail and aims to function as both an amenity to residents of The Dylan and the Fulton Market neighborhood. 

Quality was prioritized by the team taking a collaborative effort in developing processes for proactive planning between all parties including Owner, Designers, Contractor, and Subcontractors. With the use of technology such as BIM for MEP coordination, the Team took an advanced step of incorporating the drywall Subcontractor to enhance typical MEP coordination process by review sizing of piping in walls and fire rating conditions. BIM was also utilized in detailing the masonry, podium glazing and vapor barrier details to ensure continuity in the enclosure system. The project team utilized ProCore to ensure the early planning translated to the field to be a single source for document control and quality control inspections that were accessible all members involved in the project. Open space and Multivista were utilized during the pre-drywall and pre-pour inspections to capture the as-built conditions prior to it being covered.

Throughout the duration of the project, the team took part in numerous initiatives. The project team won the fundraising efforts in raising the most money for Operation Warm Coat to give to families on the South Side of Chicago. Outside of the project fund raisers, members of the project team sought volunteering in the local community with events such as Christmas in the Wards and Rebuilding Together. The team also hosted sitewide events during National Diversity Month, including spotlighting the project’s MBE joint venture partner BOWA construction and our WBE plumbing contractor DW Mechanical. The project team also sought to work with competitive M/WBE contractors, achieving a 24% MBE and 11% WBE buyout. 

The team mitigated numerous safety hazards throughout the project’s duration that, despite one OSHA recordable, yielded zero lost time. The project situated on Morgan Street between the CTA Green Line stop and Randolph Street. The North elevation is bordered with ComEd lines and the East elevation is the popular Morgan Street, with the city designation of a feeder street that must remain open to the mass public crowd on both sides of the street at all times. To address the ComEd line hazards, the team created an engineered solution to have a permanent physical barrier to protect the trades working on that elevation. The project team utilized varying techniques throughout the project to maintain focus. The team instituted initiatives that empowered the trades such as Craft Safety in Leadership, Spare a Pair and Stretch and Flex which allowed time each day for trades workers to have their time to speak to all. Safety measures were also provided in the means of adding a level of comfort to everyone returned home safe such as Switchrail, full enclosed wind screen.