News & Media
“I can imagine walking into what was once a big box retail store, that is…
“I can imagine walking into what was once a big box retail store, that is now a world-class medical facility, that we delivered in a matter of weeks instead of years” - Skender Chief Design Officer Timothy Swanson on our modular construction vision, at RE Journals Healthcare and MOB Conference. Read More
How Blockchain Innovation Can Help Cost-Efficiency in the Construction Industry
“Blockchains offer several promising innovations for the world of construction, especially when it comes to managing all of the data that is required to erect buildings today.” Read More
A very special congratulations to Skender Director of Design Operations Jenny Han, who was honored…
A very special congratulations to Skender Director of Design Operations Jenny Han, who was honored as part of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month by Illinois Comptroller Susana A. Mendoza. You're a true inspiration and we're lucky to have you as part of our team! Read More
4 Economic Trends That Will Impact Industrial Real Estate
“The U.S. economy is growing, technology is improving and political struggles are brewing. All will have a direct impact on industrial real estate in the coming months.” Read More
Skender Completes Interior Construction of National Law Firm’s 121,000-Square-Foot Headquarters in Chicago
Skender, along with collaborators Solomon Cordwell Buenz, ESD (Environmental Systems Design, Inc.) and ConopCo Project Management, recently completed interior construction of Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP's new 121,000-SF HQ at CNA Center, the new office tower at 151 N. Franklin. Read More
Skender Completes Interior Construction of National Law Firm’s 121,000-Square-Foot Headquarters in Chicago
Skender, serving as general contractor, recently completed interior construction of the 121,000-square-foot headquarters for national law firm Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP at 151 N. Franklin Street in Chicago’s West Loop. The building is a newly constructed 35-story office tower that will soon be known as CNA Center when CNA moves in from its current headquarters… Read More
Designing hospitals for staff efficiency
Interior design strategies that help hospital staff to provide timely and high-quality care. Read More
Gentrification: The Good, the Bad, and the Hipsters
What are the long-term effects of gentrification on communities, and is urban revitalization possible without it? Our own Timothy Swanson will explore gentrification and all its implications with The Chicago Council on Global Affairs. Don't miss out - get your ticket now! Read More
Skender Ranks Among Top U.S. Contractors, Climbs 26 Spots on National List
Skender ranked at No. 208 out of 400 U.S.-based contractors on Engineering-News Record's recently published list of the largest contractors by revenue, climbing 26 spots from last year. Read More
Skender Ranks Among Top U.S. Contractors, Climbs 26 Spots on National List
Skender ranked among the top U.S. contractors, according to Engineering News-Record (ENR) magazine’s recently published list of the largest contractors by revenue. Ranked at No. 208 out of 400 U.S.-based contractors, Skender moved up 26 spots from last year’s spot with 2017 revenues of $400 million. Some of Skender’s prominent projects in 2017 included the… Read More
Lots of Lobbies and Zero Zombies: How Self-Driving Cars Will Reshape Cities
“Architects expect that everything from apartment complexes to dreary office buildings will have more elaborate entrances.” Read More
Skender Named as a Best Place to Work in Illinois for Tenth Consecutive Year
For the tenth consecutive year, Skender was named as a Best Place to Work in Illinois! This year, we earned the second-place honor in the mid-sized company category. Read More
Skender Named as a Best Place to Work in Illinois for Tenth Consecutive Year
Skender was recently named as one of the 2018 Best Places to Work in Illinois. Established in 2006, the awards program is facilitated by Daily Herald Business Ledger in partnership with the Human Resources Management Association of Chicago (HRMAC), MRA-The Management Association, Illinois Chamber of Commerce and Small Business Advocacy Council. This statewide program is… Read More
CRE Future Leaders: Tim Swanson
"...the fact that we start and end our days with a startup mentality, focused on driving and disrupting the industry for collective good, fuels me," Skender's Timothy Swanson featured in a Q&A session for RE Journals' CRE Future Leaders series. Read More
WCA Luncheon: Affordable Housing Panel
Don't miss your chance to hear Skender's Timothy Swanson speak at tomorrow's Affordable Housing Panel luncheon with the West Central Association Chamber of Commerce - get your ticket now! Learn about affordable off-site options, Near North/West ARO Pilot, and innovative ways to build cost effective housing from Tim and experts from ARO Alternatives, LG Construction + Development,… Read More
Hacks for Supporting the Untethered Employee
“Gartner predicts that by 2020, organizations that promote a “choose your own work style culture” will boost employee retention rates by more than 10 percent.” Read More
Kicking off tonight’s Health Care Institute (HCI) Chicago event is moderator Jenny Han, Director of…
Kicking off tonight's Health Care Institute (HCI) Chicago event is moderator Jenny Han, Director of Operations at Skender. We're here at Skender HQ with CannonDesign, CBRE and Advocate Health Care! Read More
Spring HCI Chicago Quarterly Event at Skender Headquarters – “Upcoming Trends in Healthcare from Key…
Tonight is the night! At Skender's HQ in Fulton Market, Skender's Jenny Han joins CannonDesign's Abigail Clary, AIA, ACHA, CBRE's Julie Ford and Advocate Health Care's Victoria Navarro, MBA-HCM to discuss "Upcoming Trends in Healthcare from Key Women in the Industry" at a Health Care Institute (HCI) Chicago event. Read More
It’s not Ripley’s loader, but this industrial exoskeleton makes physical labor a breeze
“SuitX industrial exoskeletons reduce the risk of injuries to the wearer without the use of batteries, actuators, or computers.” Read More
Latinisimo 2018 – Esperanza Health Centers Gala 2018
Join us this Thursday at Latinisimo '18 in support of Esperanza Health Centers! The event will explore the culinary traditions of Latin America with 9 restaurants representing the best of Chicago's Latin American cuisine, all in support of one of the top-rated community health centers in the nation. Read More
Congrats to the Echo Global Logistics project team for winning an IIDA Illinois 2018 RED Award…
Congrats to the Echo Global Logistics project team for winning an IIDA Illinois 2018 RED Award last night. The 135,000-SF HQ expansion was a collaboration among Echo Global Logistics, CannonDesign, ConopCo Project Management, CBRE and Skender. Read More
Skender Foundation : Summer Eclipse 2018
Summer Eclipse early bird tickets are on sale now! Purchase yours today and join us July 19 at Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago to support The Bridge Teen Center, a nonprofit community center that provides free after school programs, weekend entertainment and special events for students in 7th-12th grade. Read More
Skender CEO Mark Skender and Chief Design Officer Tim Swanson speaking on how we’re pushing…
Skender CEO Mark Skender and Chief Design Officer Tim Swanson speaking on how we're pushing the industry forward with our integration between design, construction and manufacturing at today’s #AccelerateAEC event with Building Design & Construction Magazine. Read More
Limelight 2018 featuring A Road to Greenbuild Event
Mark your calendar for Limelight, a celebration of achievements in sustainability with Illinois Green Alliance (formerly USGBC-Illinois). We are proud sponsors of this event, and of all the work by Illinois Green Alliance to make our communities more sustainable. Read More
Skender Completes Clinic for Major Chicago Health System
Skender recently completed a 17,000-SF health care clinic for a major Chicago health system in Glenview, Illinois. Read More
Skender Completes Clinic for Major Chicago Health System
Skender, serving as general contractor, completed the 17,000-square-foot interior build-out of a health care clinic for a major Chicago health system. Located on the first floor of the building, the new clinic included the expansion of the existing imaging department with a new Siemens 3TMRI, Rad/Flouro Machine, and relocated Carestream Rad. Skender built out an… Read More
Our dedication shows in our work and spirit. It’s one reason we’ve won multiple “Best…
Our dedication shows in our work and spirit. It’s one reason we’ve won multiple “Best Place to Work” awards. We’re always searching for great talent who crave a refreshing work environment. Join our team: https://lnkd.in/eHWuMrt Read More
As Fulton Market Matures As An Office Market, Hotel Development Is Gaining Steam
Hotel development activity in Chicago's Fulton Market neighborhood is booming. Skender is building the new, 14-story Hyatt House hotel mentioned in this article. Read More
Skender Launches Interior Construction for 207,000-SF Chicago Office
Skender has begun interior construction on a 207,000-square-foot office in Lincoln Park, Ill., which will serve as the new Chicagoland home of C.H. Robinson. Developed by Sterling Bay, the property is within the first Sterling Bay riverfront property in its Lincoln Yards development, which also happens to be a contender for the Amazon HQ2 bid.… Read More
5 Ways To Make Affordable Housing Development Feasible
U.S. cities continue to swell in population. But for people looking to live in urban areas, limited affordable options are the new normal. The U.S. needs an additional 4.6 million apartments to meet demand by 2030, the National Multifamily Housing Council and the National Apartment Association estimate. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development defines affordability as… Read More
Skender Launches Interior Construction for 207,000-SF Chicago Office
“It’s a great space, brand new building, and kicks off the Lincoln Yards development [a contender for the Amazon HQ2 bid].” Read More
Building Is A Science. This App Lets Architects Study It
“The ability to easily and ubiquitously study how buildings–and their occupants–behave could move architecture itself into a new era.” Read More
RefugeeOne’s 2018 Annual Gala – Hopeful new beginnings. Unlimited Potential.
We are proud to support the RefugeeOne 2018 Annual Gala, where our very own David Fahnbulleh is this year's keynote speaker. Join us Saturday to hear David speak and to celebrate RefugeeOne's life-changing work. Read More
5 Ways To Make Affordable Housing Development Feasible
“Developers and their construction partners will have to explore new ways of financing deals and new ways of building to keep affordable housing deals cost-effective.” https://bit.ly/2jrFVTf Read More
Skender, along with collaborators Webster Design and Capstone Development Group, received the William Stickling Memorial…
Skender, along with collaborators Webster Design and Capstone Development Group, received the William Stickling Memorial Award at last night's 28th annual Mayor’s Awards Presentation for the historic preservation of the 15-story Elgin Tower Building. Read More
Skender Receives City of Elgin’s Mayor’s Award for Historic Preservation of 15-story Elgin Tower Building
Skender, along with St. Louis-based Webster Design and owner Capstone Development Group, received the William Stickling Memorial Award at the 28th annual Mayor’s Awards Presentation honoring outstanding contributors to Elgin’s heritage. The award recipients were selected by the Elgin Heritage Commission and Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin based on the project team’s dedicated efforts to… Read More
Skender Breaks Ground on 14-Story Hyatt House Hotel in Chicago’s Fulton Market
Construction firm Skender has broken ground on a 14-story Hyatt House hotel in Chicago’s Fulton Market district. The 167,000-square-foot, 200-room development is located at 105 N. May St. The Hyatt House will be the first hotel in the Fulton Market district to cater to extended-stay corporate travelers. Amenities will include an indoor pool, green roof,… Read More
Skender Starts Interior Construction of new 207,000-SF C.H. Robinson Office in Chicago’s Lincoln Yards Development
Skender, in collaboration with Vocon and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM), recently started interior construction of the new 207,000-SF C.H. Robinson office in Chicago's Lincoln Yards development. Read More
Skender Starts Interior Construction of new 207,000-SF C.H. Robinson Office in Chicago’s Lincoln Yards Development
Skender, serving as general contractor, recently launched interior construction of a new, 207,000-square-foot office for C.H. Robinson, a Fortune 500 third-party logistics and supply chain management provider. The office is located within the first Sterling Bay riverfront property in its Lincoln Yards development in Lincoln Park, a contender for the Amazon HQ2 bid. C.H. Robinson… Read More
Skender Breaks Ground on Hyatt House Hotel in Chicago
Sterling Bay is developing the first extended-stay lodging property in Chicago's Fulton Market neighborhood. Read More
Mark your calendars! On May 15 at Skender’s HQ in Fulton Market, Skender’s Jenny Han joins…
Mark your calendars! On May 15 at Skender's HQ in Fulton Market, Skender's Jenny Han joins CannonDesign's Abigail Clary, AIA, ACHA, CBRE's Julie Ford and Advocate Health Care's Victoria Navarro, MBA-HCM to discuss "Upcoming Trends in Healthcare from Key Women in the Industry" at a Health Care Institute (HCI) Chicago event. Read More
Borrow from the best: workplace ideas from tech HQs
Borrow from the best: workplace ideas from tech HQs Read More
Skender Breaks Ground on 14-Story Hotel in Chicago
Skender Breaks Ground on 14-Story, 200-Room Hyatt House Hotel in Chicago’s Fulton Market – REBusinessOnline Read More
DisruptCRE – Chicago
Skender CTO Kevin Bredeson will be speaking about #BuildingTech at DisruptCRE Chicago on May 3. Hope to see you there! Read More
Looking forward to this Thursday’s City of Hope 2018 REACH Social at House of Blues…
Looking forward to this Thursday's City of Hope 2018 REACH Social at House of Blues Entertainment Chicago. Skender Foundation is a proud sponsor and our very own Daniel Ulbricht will be performing with his band, the Square Feets. Read More
Fear Of The Steel Tariff Is Compounding Already-Escalating Materials Pricing
The latest on how steel tariffs are affecting construction and development with insight from Skender's Joseph Pecoraro. Read More
Skender Breaks Ground on 14-story, 167,000-SF Hyatt House Hotel, a New Development in the Fulton…
Skender is thrilled to announce that we recently broke ground on Hyatt House, a new 14-story extended-stay hotel designed by Eckenhoff Saunders Architects (ESA) and developed by Sterling Bay in the Fulton Market District. Read More
Skender Breaks Ground on 14-story, 167,000-SF Hyatt House Hotel, a New Development in the Fulton Market District
Skender, serving as base building and interior construction manager, has broken ground on Chicago’s newest Hyatt House extended-stay hotel. The new 14-story, 167,000-square-foot hotel is located in the heart of Chicago’s Fulton Market neighborhood at 105 N. May Street. The Hyatt House will be the first hotel in the Fulton Market district to cater to… Read More
The Hidden Costs of Open Ceilings
While open ceilings have many benefits, costing less isn't one of them. Skender's Clay Edwards explains in this Work Design Magazine article: Read More
How a risk management focus can improve the physical environment
Healthcare: “Design interventions can help to improve patient safety and create a proactive operation” Read More
The 10 sustainability trends that forward-thinking organizations have on their minds
"The future office strives to be better, focus more on the people who inhabit it, and contribute to the success of the company.” Read More
Here at the 2018 LeadingAge Illinois Annual Meeting & Expo! #LeadingAge #Skender
Here at the 2018 LeadingAge Illinois Annual Meeting & Expo! #LeadingAge #Skender Read More
Movers + Shapers: Lean and Mean
Skender Executive Vice President Afshan Barshan identifies some payoffs of adopting Lean principles into Skender's business practices. Read More
Skender Starts Construction of Sterling Bay’s New HQ at Fulton West
Skender has started interior construction of Sterling Bay's 35K new headquarters at Fulton West. Read More
Sprout Social – Interior Showcase
Sprout Social collaborated with Skender and Partners by Design to expand its HQ by 64,000 square feet. Skender served as general contractor on the social media management company’s original HQ build-out in 2016. Read More
Does Your Modern Build-out Have a Hearing Problem?
Open ceilings, exposed concrete floors and glass-walled spaces are the hallmarks of contemporary interiors. These design choices convey a hip and modern mindset for the companies and retailers that inhabit them, but they can come with a drawback that impacts business: noise. Without the sound-dampening effects of the acoustical tiles used in drop ceilings and… Read More
One of the Biggest Sustainability Concerns in Construction Right Now Is… Sand?
“Many of us have the common misconception that sand is an infinite resource, but the harsh reality is that it isn't.” Read More
“Leveraging AR/VR in Emerging Markets” at the BuiltWorlds Summit, featuring Kevin Bredeson of Skender, Paul Edlund of Microsoft,…
"Leveraging AR/VR in Emerging Markets" at the BuiltWorlds Summit, featuring Kevin Bredeson of Skender, Paul Edlund of Microsoft, Michael Winn of DroneDeploy, and John Chwalibog of Matterport. Read More
Skender Named No. 6 Best Place to Work in Chicago by Crain’s Chicago Business
Nearly 9,000 employees of Chicago-area companies surveyed to determine 100 finalists. Skender is honored to earn the No. 6 spot in 2018! Read More
Skender Named No. 6 Best Place to Work in Chicago by Crain’s Chicago Business
Skender was recognized today as the No. 6 best place to work in the Crain's Chicago Business 2018 Best Places to Work list. To determine the top 100, Crain's partnered with an independent workplace excellence research firm to survey nearly 9,000 employees at Chicago-area companies. The 100 finalists were further assessed using a variety of criteria including benefits,… Read More
We are honored to be named the #6 Best Place to Work in Chicago by…
We are honored to be named the #6 Best Place to Work in Chicago by Crain's Chicago Business! We couldn’t have done it without our incredible, dedicated employees. #crainsbest Read More
Does Your Modern Build-out Have a Hearing Problem?
“Creating inviting interiors not only has to do with how they look, but also how they sound.” Read More
Tech Report 5.0: Why wait for 3D renderings?
“Real-time rendering still presents some trade offs when compared to traditional rendering. But as the technology advances, the benefits will begin to outweigh the limitations.” Read More
Five Workplace Trends The Commercial Real Estate Industry Must Prepare For
"... we need to forget 'office' and start thinking in terms of 'workplace' ..." Read More
The Disruptive Force of Technology Changing The Future Face of Healthcare
Three tech trends to watch in healthcare Read More
Skender Completes 64,000-SF Headquarters Expansion for Sprout Social – April 4, 2018
In collaboration with Partners by Design, Syska Hennessy Group and Development Resources, Skender recently completed the 64,000-SF HQ expansion for Sprout Social at 131 S. Dearborn. Read More
Skender Completes 64,000-SF Headquarters Expansion for Sprout Social
Skender recently completed the 64,000-square-foot interior build-out expansion for social media management company Sprout Social at 131 S. Dearborn. Skender previously completed Sprout Social’s seventh floor build-out in 2016. To accommodate rapid growth, the client decided to expand its footprint to the eighth floor, which previously served as a call center. The one-story build-out added… Read More
How Are Driverless Cars Reshaping CRE?
“Autonomous vehicles are expected to impact commercial real estate on several levels, from design to new development opportunities.” Read More
JLL releases cost benchmark guide for office buildouts
“JLL published a cost benchmarking guide to building out three types of office space in the U.S. and Canada using data from more than 2,800 of its managed projects.” Read More
Dream Offices for Bike Commuters
Skender-built SRAM, LLC HQ is featured in this article about offices designed to encourage healthy lifestyles: Read More
Skender Named a Finalist for the 2018 Best Places to Work in Chicago
We are excited to announce that Skender has been named a finalist for the 2018 Best Places to Work in Chicago! Read More
Skender Named a Finalist for the 2018 Best Places to Work in Chicago
Skender has been named a finalist for the 2018 Best Places to Work in Chicago. Since 2008, Crain's Chicago Business has set out to find the local businesses that have excelled in creating quality workplaces for employees. This year, Crain’s partnered with Best Companies Group to survey Chicago employees about everything from their workplace to… Read More
4-Story Stair Atrium – Phase Update Fire Shutter and Coordination
Project Manager Greg Koziol describes the next phase of constructing a 4-story stair atrium for a confidential client. The Skender team took on all necessary coordination as well as the implementation of a protective fire shutter on every level to continue the builds of the stairwell and atrium. Read More
Vertical Integration
By unifying design, construction and manufacturing under one roof, we’re revolutionizing how the industry builds. Read More
Skender Foundation is proud to support Little Kids Rock, a national nonprofit dedicated to restoring, expanding…
Skender Foundation is proud to support Little Kids Rock, a national nonprofit dedicated to restoring, expanding and innovating music education in Chicago Public Schools. Check out this awesome video from their recent fundraiser where Skender’s band Not to Exceed performed. https://bit.ly/2DPyNI4 Read More
Skender Completes Build-out of San Francisco Homeless Support Facility
Skender is proud to have served as general contractor for the build-out of homeless support facility At The Crossroads in San Francisco. Thanks for collaborating with us Architectural Resources Group, Ventura Partners, WSP and multiple other trade partners. Read More
Skender Completes Build-out of San Francisco Homeless Support Facility
Skender recently completed the 6,000-square-foot interior build-out of At The Crossroads (ATC), a San Francisco-based nonprofit organization that helps homeless youth and young adults build healthy and fulfilling lives. The three-story tenant improvement project included major upgrades to the existing cold shell space. These improvements included the addition of new electrical and water service to… Read More
Tariffs Already Putting Pressure on Commercial Construction Pricing
“Some in the sector say they have seen around a 10 percent increase in the price of steel since the tariffs were announced earlier this month.” Read More
Movers + Shapers: Lean and Mean
“Skender: Putting 'rapid' into action" Read More
Skender Starts Work on Sterling Bay’s 35,000-SF Headquarters Relocation Project
Skender is excited to be partnering with Perkins+Will and WMA Consulting Engineers on the build-out of Sterling Bay's new HQ. Read More
Skender Starts Work on Sterling Bay’s 35,000-SF Headquarters Relocation Project
Skender recently started interior construction of the 35,000-square-foot headquarters for Sterling Bay, a Chicago-based real estate investment and development company, at 1330 W. Fulton, a Sterling Bay property known as Fulton West. Sterling Bay is relocating from its current offices at 1040 W. Randolph to accommodate the business’s rapid growth and future needs. Once complete,… Read More
Prefab Construction: A Closer Look
“Transformation is hard ... let’s address it like Skender is so bravely doing.” Read More
Chicago office landlords are paying more to land tenants. Here’s why.
JLL, CBRE, Savills Studley and Skender's Clay Edwards weigh in on tenant improvement allowance increases. Read More
AEC Virtual Reality Workflow with Datasmith Toolkit for Unreal Engine
Skender's John Derkach will be presenting on the future of VR in the AEC industry this Wednesday evening at our office. More on the meet-up: Read More
Capital One’s New Revitalized Downtown Chicago Office
Check out Capital One's new revitalized downtown Chicago office that Skender completed last year. Read More
Skender Wins Interior Contractor of the Year
Skender took home the Interior Contractor of the Year award last night at the Greater Chicago Food Depository Commercial Real Estate Awards. The awards program raises money to provide meals for hungry Chicago-area residents while recognizing outstanding achievements in the industry. The annual ceremony attracts nearly 2,000 of the top commercial real estate, architecture and… Read More
Skender Wins Interior Contractor of the Year
Big night! Skender brought home the coveted Interior Contractor of the Year award (third time in four years) at the Greater Chicago Food Depository awards. Congrats to all! Read More
Undoing 5 myths of IPD and Lean construction
IPD and #LeanConstruction are more flexible than people think Read More
Tim Swanson on the prefab revolution (listen)
The Idealog podcast interviews Tim Swanson about prefabricated construction and how it's disrupting the way we build things Read More
Chicago Firm Sets Out to Change Construction
“We’ve done a lot of research, and from the U.S. perspective, this is on the cutting edge.” Read More
JGMA-designed medical center headed to Brighton Park
JGMA-designed (and Skender-built) medical center headed to Brighton Park Read More
Hack The Office: Turning Underperforming Spaces Into Workplaces Of The Future
“Every company wants an office that is their own,” Skender Vice President Clay Edwards said. “‘Hacking’ the office allows users to build on an existing design, to take it from something impersonal and informal to a space that truly defines their brand and corporate culture.” Read More
The Construction Industry Knows It’s Behind The Curve In Embracing Technology, And Is Working To…
Skender CTO Kevin Bredeson discusses how the construction industry is embracing technology. Read More
Skender's Timothy Swanson used today's CoreNet countdown challenge to discuss the intersection of design, construction and manufacturing. In 3 minutes. Read More
Skender Rebrands, Expands, Plans Modular Manufacturing Plant On Southwest Side
“We can now fully realize the potential of vertical integration to significantly reduce risk, delays and waste while maximizing value, quality and positive experiences for our clients.” https://bit.ly/2oRbCsu Read More
AHA #GoRed Campaign
On February 20, Skender Foundation sponsored an event for the American Heart Association and its #GoRed campaign to help spread awareness about heart disease. Dr. Annabelle Santos Volgman from Rush University Medical Center was there to present her insight and expertise. Read More
Hack the Office: Turning Underperforming Spaces Into Workplaces of the Future
Towering glass office buildings are becoming obsolete. As creative space gains traction among companies beyond the tech industry, opulent lobbies and renovated elevator bays no longer attract young workers like they used to. Professionals crave space designed around user experience. Office workers want a balanced place with room to collaborate, socialize and concentrate on heads-down… Read More
Skender Revolutionizes How the Industry Builds, Integrates Design, Construction, and Manufacturing
Envisioning a radically more efficient future for the building industry, Skender is expanding beyond construction to offer a Lean, integrated and full-spectrum suite of services – construction, design and manufacturing. Read More
A factory that makes apartment buildings? It’s coming to Chicago
We have big news to share today! Learn how we’re revolutionizing the way the industry builds. Read More
A factory that makes apartment buildings? It’s coming to Chicago.
When Skender builds an apartment tower or hotel a few years from now, a lot of the action may be hidden from view in a factory, not on the construction site. Read More
Skender Revolutionizes How the Industry Builds, Integrates Design, Construction, and Manufacturing
Embracing Vertical Integration, Skender Expands on its Core Construction Business, Launches a New Advanced Manufacturing Company, Acquires Design Team, and Hires Design and Construction Technology Industry Leaders Envisioning a radically more efficient future for the building industry, Skender announces its expansion beyond construction, becoming a vertically integrated company including construction, design and building component manufacturing… Read More
Skender Breaks Ground on 26,000-SF Esperanza Health Center
Today we broke ground on Esperanza Health Centers in Chicago's Brighton Park neighborhood. We are proud to be partnering with JGMA and McNitt Consulting to build this important community project! Read More
Skender Breaks Ground on 26,000-SF Esperanza Health Center
Skender broke ground on the new 26,000-square-foot Esperanza Health Center at 4700 S. California Avenue in Chicago’s Brighton Park neighborhood. The two-story clinic will serve an area in great need of health care services. Large portions of residents in Esperanza’s service area live below twice the poverty level and have been designated as medically underserved… Read More
Elgin Tower Building
Skender recently completed the 60,000-square-foot, 15-story rehabilitation of the Elgin Tower Building, a historic centerpiece in downtown Elgin, Illinois. Condemned in 2014 due to a fire, the former bank-turned-office building underwent a complete gut rehab transformation into 44 market-rate apartment units with modern finishes. Skender, serving as general contractor, collaborated with St. Louis-based architect Webster… Read More
Skender Breaks Ground on 26,000-SF Esperanza Health Center
Skender broke ground on the new 26,000-square-foot Esperanza Health Center at 4700 S. California Avenue in Chicago’s Brighton Park neighborhood. The two-story clinic will serve an area in great need of health care services. Large portions of residents in Esperanza’s service area live below twice the poverty level and have been designated as medically underserved… Read More
GGP New HQ Tour
Skender recently completed interior construction of the 176,000-square-foot headquarters for retail real estate company GGP at River North Point. This video highlights the new, three-floor space. The project was a collaboration between GGP, Skender, ARCHIDEAS, Environmental Systems Design, JLL and a team of talented trade specialists. Read More
Labor shortages and material costs continue to shape the construction trades
Skender President Justin Brown: “Skender’s value-optimized approach to Lean is a vital part of the way we do business ... that results in greater efficiency, quicker deliveries and cost savings.” Read More
Wired and ready to work: Build out your workplace for today’s connected workforce
“The top ten questions to ask to ensure an appealing, effective, tech-enabled workspace.” Read More
6 trends shaping smart hotels
“From real-time guest feedback to AI-driven hyper-personalization, the hotel of the future will emphasize service, convenience, authenticity, and just the right amount of technology.” Read More
Heads Up: The 5 Hidden Expenses of Open Ceilings
Skender VP Clay Edwards breaks down the 5 hidden expenses of open ceilings for NAIOP. Read More
Heads Up: The 5 Hidden Expenses of Open Ceilings
Open ceilings, with their exposed ductwork and industrial vibe have become popular – but trendy rarely equals inexpensive. For many years, omitting the traditional drop ceiling was assumed to be not just cooler but also to cost less. Common sense seemed to be that by choosing open ceilings, the cost of the drop ceiling was… Read More
Big Kids Rock Chicago
Join us February 27 at City Winery for Big Kids Rock, a concert hosted by Little Kids Rock featuring Skender's rock band Not to Exceed among others in support of music education in Chicago Public Schools. Tickets available here: https://lnkd.in/dVSPBSC Read More
Skender Rock Band to Perform at West Loop Concert Benefiting Music Education in Chicago Public Schools
Little Kids Rock will host a fundraiser, Big Kids Rock, on February 27, 2018 at City Winery in the West Loop. This year’s event will help raise funds for Little Kids Rock, a national nonprofit dedicated to transforming lives by restoring, expanding and innovating music education in our schools. Skender Construction’s band, Not to Exceed… Read More
Skender Starts 225,000-SF Restack Project for HERE Technologies
Skender Construction recently started interior construction of the 225,000-square-foot office space for HERE Technologies, the leading location intelligence and open location platform company, at 425 West Randolph Street. Throughout eight floors of the Boeing Building, the HERE Chicago office is being transformed into a contemporary environment that reflects the company’s vision, brand and history of… Read More
Skender Starts 225 000-SF Restack Project for HERE Technologies
Skender recently began interior construction of the 225,000-square-foot office space for HERE Technologies at 425 W. Randolph. We are excited to be partnering with Gensler, JLL and ESD (Environmental Systems Design, Inc.) on this big restack project! Read More
Report: 5 challenges and solutions to technology adoption in construction
“With the global construction industry projected to reach $17.5 billion by 2030, the report states that now is the time for the engineering and construction (E&C) sector to embrace technology” Read More
Skender Completes Iconic Elgin Tower Rehabilitation Project
Skender Construction recently completed the 60,000-square-foot, 15-story rehabilitation of The Elgin Tower Building, a historic centerpiece in downtown Elgin, Illinois. Condemned in 2014 due to a fire, the former bank turned office building underwent a complete gut rehab transformation into 44 market-rate apartment units with modern finishes. Demolition included the removal of old coal fired… Read More
Skender Completes Iconic Elgin Tower Rehabilitation Project
Skender recently completed the iconic Elgin Tower Building rehabilitation project in collaboration with Webster Design and Capstone Development Group, LLC. Read More
Senior living design trends for 2018
“Designing boutique and upscale communities for seniors and their baby boomer family members has been at the forefront of design considerations.” Read More
Aging Population Driving Medical Office Demand in U.S.
“The population aged 65 and above is expected to increase by 1.7 million (3.3 percent) in 2018 and by 9.2 million (18 percent) over the next five years, driving short- and long-term demand for medical services.” Read More
Office, industrial construction to rise in 2018 and 2019
“Nonresidential construction activity is expected to jump 4% in 2018 and in 2019, according to the American Institute of Architects” Read More
#SkenderRed
Skender is going red for women to help support the American Heart Association's #GoRed Campaign to bring awareness and learn more about heart disease. Read More
Skender Completes 176,000-SF Headquarters Relocation Project for GGP
Skender Construction recently completed interior construction of the 176,000-square-foot headquarters for retail real estate company GGP, formerly known as General Growth Properties, at River North Point. GGP relocated 700 employees to its new headquarters at 350 N. Orleans. GGP’s new, three-floor space contains modern finishes, an abundance of natural light, and an open office format… Read More
Skender Chairman Joseph Skender Inducted into Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame
Skender Construction Chairman Joseph Skender was inducted into Midwest Real Estate News' Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame. Each year the magazine inducts a new class of the biggest names in the commercial real estate industry. Joseph was selected from a pool of more than 500 nominations and joins 96 others in this year’s class. In high… Read More
4-Story Stair Atrium – Phase Update Steel & Concrete
One of our superintendents, Mike Brooks, walks us through the first phase of constructing a 4-story stair atrium for a confidential client. It was a great coordinating effort between the Skender team, designers, framers, surveyors and many more to get this stairwell underway. Read More
Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
Wilson Sporting Goods Co. wanted to move its HQ to a new 90,000 SF space in downtown Chicago. They partnered with Skender Construction to build out the new space in One Prudential Plaza by Millennium Park with amazing features of metal mesh walls, two-story connecting stair, and custom graphics of sports fields on their cafe… Read More
Skender Completes 100,000-SF Rehabilitation of Multifamily Property
Skender Construction recently completed the rehabilitation of Sage Crest Apartments, a two-building, 100,000-square-foot affordable housing development. Located along Rt. 31, just north of downtown Aurora, the two six-story apartment buildings are owned by Preservation Partners Development III, LLC. To complete the remodel of 102 occupied units, Skender coordinated one-week resident move-outs in batches of 12… Read More
New Year, New Job
A new year signals fresh beginnings and, for many of you, finding a new job may be at the top of your list of resolutions. Read more at consupt.com > Read More
Lean Construction: Reducing Waste And Enhancing Value
Many designers, architects, engineers and contractors have discovered methods, collectively known as “Lean Construction,” to improve the overall process of creating a new project, along with cutting construction costs. Read More
Conversion of Elgin’s historic Tower Building nears completion; apartment ready for viewing in days
Bill Luchini, owner of the Capstone Development Group, explains the renovation and restorations made to the lobby of the Tower Building in downtown Elgin. Read More
The Three C’s of Building a Connected Workspace
As companies strive to enable stronger relationships, more attention is being placed on workplace design and construction. But, building office connectedness is not simple. Read More
Skender Completes 90,000-SF Office for Wilson Sporting Goods
Skender Construction recently completed a 90,000-square-foot headquarters relocation project for Wilson Sporting Goods, the American sports equipment manufacturer. Located on the fifth and sixth floors of One Prudential Plaza, the sports-inspired, open-office workspace incorporates brick walls, a wood ceiling in the café and a communicating stair. The stair required Skender to remove a large section… Read More
Motorola Mobility: The Helicopter Lift
Planning a helicopter lift at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago is complex. A number of challenges presented themselves - from pedestrian safety to lifting heavy mechanical equipment from a barge on the Chicago River. Read More
Belinda Moore Promoted to Associate Executive Director of Skender Foundation
Skender Foundation recently announced the promotion of Belinda Moore to associate executive director of the nonprofit organization. Belinda has been integral to Skender Foundation’s growth since the organization’s inception in 2012, most recently serving as volunteer committee chair of the foundation and member of the Builders’ Board, a subcommittee of Skender Foundation comprised of philanthropic-minded… Read More
Midtown Crossing Apartments
The four-story Midtown Crossing Apartments building, by Over the Rainbow Association (OTR), contains 33 affordable, barrier-free and accessible apartments. In addition to OTR, the project team consisted of Skender Construction as general contractor, Weese Langley Weese as architect and Lightengale as financial consultant. Read More
Lisa Latronico Promoted to Partner at Skender Construction
Skender Construction recently announced that Vice President of People and Culture Lisa Latronico has been promoted to Partner at the firm. Lisa has played an instrumental role in driving Skender’s Lean and employee-focused culture. Since joining the firm in 2001, Lisa has pioneered many award-winning employee enrichment and recruiting programs, leading the firm to consistent… Read More
Medical Campuses Are Becoming Mixed-Use Hubs
At a growing number of hospitals across the country, it is now possible to have a cappuccino with your CAT scan. Mixed-use real estate is coming to healthcare, and more hospitals are integrating shops and appealing public spaces into their designs. Read More
Avoiding Wasted Time and Materials in a High-cost Development Cycle
As founding members of the Chicago chapter of the Lean Construction Institute, Skender Construction has implemented Lean principles for more than a decade, proving time and time again that use of the Lean Construction method can reduce waste and save both time and money. Read More
360¡ of GGP New Office Space
For the new 176,000-square-foot office space being built by Skender Construction for GGP Inc., K13 insulation is applied to help keep noise levels down in the open-office floor plan. Read More
Skender Completes Specialty Clinic for Rush Oak Park Hospital
Skender Construction recently completed the interior build-out of a specialty medical clinic at Rush Oak Park Hospital (ROPH). Located on the fifth floor of the ROPH medical office building, the new specialty clinic includes 21 exam rooms, an allergy room and infusion room, as well as four procedure/treatment rooms. Support and ancillary spaces include reception,… Read More
Skender Completes New 45,000-SF Independent Living Facility
Skender Construction recently completed Midtown Crossing Apartments, a new 45,000-square-foot affordable housing development located near downtown Des Plaines, Illinois. The four-story, 33-unit independent living facility is owned by Over the Rainbow Association (OTR), an Illinois nonprofit association dedicated to providing affordable, barrier-free housing solutions for people with physical disabilities. All 33 units in the Green… Read More
The Climate Corporation’s Chicago Office
The Climate Corporation's 21,000-square-foot Chicago office, built by Skender Construction and designed by Shive-Hattery with COR Consulting as owner's representative. The Climate Corporation is a subsidiary of Monsanto Company and creator of digital tools to help farmers sustainably increase their productivity. Read More
Skender Completes 52,000-SF Office Build-out for Glassdoor
Skender Construction recently completed a 52,000-square-foot office build-out for Glassdoor, one of the world’s largest and fastest growing job sites. Located at 1330 W. Fulton Market in Chicago, the new open office workspace spans one and a half floors and features curved glass and drywall throughout, metal and wood integrated millwork, a curved operable partition,… Read More
Glassdoor’s Chicago Office
Skender completed a 52,000-SF office build-out for Glassdoor, one of the world's largest and fastest growing job sites. Located at 1330 W. Fulton Market in Chicago, the new open office workspace spans one and a half floors and features curved glass, metal and wood integrated millwork, a curved operable partition, two kitchens and a cafe.… Read More
Skender Foundation’s Harvesting Hope 2017: Benefiting Snow City Arts
Skender Foundation hosted its sixth annual Harvesting Hope fundraiser, hosted by the organization's Builders' Board. Thanks to the event hosts, sponsors and 300 attendees, Skender Foundation was able to donate $37,000 to Snow City Arts, a non-profit organization providing art education to young patients in local hospitals. For more information, visit skenderfoundation.org. Read More
Skender Construction Uses Green Power and Partners with EPA
Skender Construction announced today that it recently joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership. Skender is offsetting 100 percent of its annual Chicago office electricity use, or 250 thousand kilowatt-hours (kWh), with the purchase of green power via renewable energy certificates (RECs) from Renewable Choice Energy. Skender Construction is currently the only general… Read More
Skender Completes 21,000-SF Office Build-out for The Climate Corporation
Skender Construction recently completed a 21,000-square-foot office build-out for The Climate Corporation, a subsidiary of Monsanto Company and creator of digital tools to help farmers sustainably increase their productivity. Located at 1330 W. Fulton Market, the new open office workspace incorporates rustic wood walls and a custom art feature wall at the entrance. The Climate… Read More
Busting 5 Interior Construction Myths
Skender Construction identified five common interior build-out myths. Read More
Skender Construction Wins Top Safety Award
Skender Construction recently won the “gold medal” safety award in the construction achievement category from Raffles Insurance. More than 70 other companies were eligible in this category and Skender earned the top honor, which recognizes outstanding safety, loss prevention and claims management. Every Skender project prioritizes safety, production and quality with a mindset that each… Read More
Three Skender-built projects honored at AIA Chicago Design Excellence Awards
Three Skender Construction projects were recently honored at Designight 2017, the annual design excellence awards event of the Chicago chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). At the event, AIA Chicago recognized outstanding work from Chicago architecture firms for projects designed and built throughout the world. The three Skender-built projects that earned recognition were:… Read More
5 Ways to Build Office Connectedness
From inviting lobbies to central gathering spaces, here are five construction trends shaping office connectedness. Read More
Skender Completes Two Restaurants for Four Corners Tavern Group at 150 N. Riverside
Skender Construction recently completed two restaurant build-outs for the Four Corners Tavern Group at 150 N. Riverside, one of Chicago’s newest commercial high-rise buildings along the Chicago River. The two eateries total nearly 15,000 square feet of space for Small Cheval and Porter Kitchen & Deck. Porter Kitchen, a restaurant and bar, occupies the ground… Read More
Skender Construction HQ Moves to 1330 W Fulton
Experience #SkenderHQ move-in day! We captured initial employee reactions and reflections on day one at 1330 W Fulton, a Sterling Bay property known as Fulton West. Special thanks to our architect, Perkins+Will. Read More
Skender Foundation Summer Eclipse Event 2017
Skender Foundation hosted its sixth annual fundraiser, Summer Eclipse, on July 20, 2017 at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA). This yearÕs event highlighted Chicago Youth Programs (CYP), an award-winning organization that serves children across the entire city with a simple philosophyÑto impact the long-term outcome of a childÕs life, you must serve the child… Read More
Skender Construction combines raw materials with modern amenities in new Chicago office
Skender Construction, the contractor responsible for innovative office spaces in Chicago like Google, ConAgra, Kraft, 1871 and the University of Chicago, has a new headquarters. Read More
How Building Occupants And Construction Can Co-Exist
Contractors and end users need to decide on a construction method that fits budget, timing and safety concerns. For Skender, that means devising a plan that combines flexibility, creativity and regular communication. Read More
Timelapse of Skender’s “Blueprint for Growth”
Our "Blueprint for Growth" goal reminds us to maintain our core values and culture as we grow. This video shows the mural installation by artist Amanda Paulson at our new headquarters. For more on building cultures, listen to the #WorkTrends interview with Skender's Lisa Latronico: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/talentculture/2017/09/13/building-great-cultures Read More
#WorkTrends Recap: Building Great Cultures
A great workplace culture where employees can thrive and take an organization to the next level can have a lasting impact on recruitment, retention, and the bottom line. But how do you get there? Read More
Skender Construction Expands in Chicago with Move to 38,000-SF Space in Fulton Market
Skender Construction, one of the nation’s largest and fastest growing contractors, has helped many organizations attract talented employees by building out inviting workplace interiors that promote collaboration and well-being. Now the Chicago-based firm has done the same for its own headquarters space, in a relocation and expansion lease in the Fulton Market district. Skender is… Read More
The Capital One “Superfloor”
"One of the ways that we show we value our employees is giving them a great workplace," said Hannah French, Capital One's senior manager of workplace solutions. Capital One partnered with Skender to build its 50th "superfloor" into a collaborative, inviting and flexible workspace. Read More
Skender Ranks Among Nation’s Top 100 Contractors
Skender Construction ranked among the top 100 construction firms in the U.S., according to a report compiled by Building Design+Construction magazine. As part of the publication's 2017 Giants 300 Report, which ranks U.S. building contractors by annual revenue, Skender earned the No. 82 spot with 2016 revenues of $335 million. Building Design+Construction also ranks U.S. contractors by building… Read More
Skender Construction Growing in San Francisco Bay Area; Firm Starting Several Interior Renovation Projects
Skender Construction’s San Francisco office has won construction management assignments for several renovation projects in the Bay area. Among the projects recently started or beginning soon: JPMorgan Chase (San Francisco) – 22,000-SF critical infrastructure upgrade and digital signage installation at 560 Mission Street HERE (Berkeley) – 18,000-SF interior buildout of a research and development facility… Read More
Skender Starts 168,000-SF Headquarters Relocation Project for GGP
Skender Construction recently started interior construction of the 168,000-square-foot headquarters for retail real estate company GGP, formerly known as General Growth Properties, at River North Point. GGP is relocating 700 employees to its new headquarters at 350 N. Orleans. Once complete, the space will reflect GGP’s brand and culture with a bright, collaborative work environment… Read More
Jeff Krause, Experienced Senior Superintendent, Joins Skender Construction
Jeff Krause has joined Skender Construction as a senior superintendent. With more than 20 years of construction experience, Krause brings to Skender an impressive background in ground-up high-rise, healthcare, education and institutional projects. He will be working with Skender’s housing and healthcare teams to manage projects in those markets. "We are thrilled to welcome Jeff… Read More
5 Trends Revolutionizing Senior Housing Design And Construction
Skender Construction, a Chicago-based contractor, has been at the forefront of the shift in senior living. Its team shared five trends shaping design and construction in the growing market. Read More
Sixth Annual Summer Eclipse Raises $400,000 for Local Charities
Skender Foundation hosted its annual fundraiser, Summer Eclipse, on July 20 at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA). This year’s event highlighted Chicago Youth Programs (CYP), an award-winning organization that serves children across the entire city with a simple philosophy—to impact the long-term outcome of a child’s life, you must serve the child long-term. A… Read More
Mead Johnson Nutrition Project
Mead Johnson's Molly McDermott discusses her experience working with Skender on the interior construction of Mead Johnson's new 64,000-SF office at 444 W. Lake Street, Chicago. Read More
Skender Completes New 64,000-SF Office for Global Nutrition Company
Skender Construction recently completed a 64,000-square-foot interior office buildout for Mead Johnson, a leading nutrition company for babies and children. The baby formula company, a new division of Reckitt Benckiser’s, has relocated from Glenview, Illinois to 444 W. Lake Street in downtown Chicago. The three-floor project included a 1,500-square-foot slab cut for a self-supporting feature… Read More
CTA Train Car Lift
It's not every day that we get to lift a retired Chicago CTA train car to the roof of a building. This brief video documents our experience from earlier this year. Many thanks to all those who helped make it happen! Read More
Skender Completes New 62,000-SF Independent Living Facility
Skender Construction recently completed J. Michael Fitzgerald Apartments (JMFA), a new 62,000-square-foot affordable senior housing facility in Chicago’s North Park Village neighborhood. The five-story, 63-unit independent living facility is located within an existing senior housing campus and designed to match the existing surrounding aesthetic. The project includes a precast concrete structure design, variable refrigerant flow… Read More
Hard at Work
A brief glimpse of Skender's construction work for a confidential tech client in Fulton Market. Read More
1330 W Fulton Market Progress
Skender built out the interior of its own new corporate HQ at 1330 W. Fulton Market. This video is a fun highlight reel of the first half of interior construction. Read More
Sixth Annual Summer Eclipse to Benefit Chicago Youth Programs
Skender Foundation will host its annual fundraiser, Summer Eclipse, on Thursday, July 20 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. This year’s event will help raise funds for Chicago Youth Programs (CYP), an award-winning organization that serves children across the entire city with a simple philosophy—to impact the long-term outcome… Read More
Skender Ranks Among Top Chicago and U.S. Contractors
Skender Construction ranked among the top contractors on local and national industry lists recently compiled by two publications. This month, Skender earned the No. 15 spot on the largest contractors list published by Crain’s Chicago Business. Engineering News-Record (ENR) magazine ranked Skender at No. 234 on its list of the top 400 contractors in the United States. Both… Read More
Skender Completes 39,000-SF Interior Construction for Signal
Skender has completed the 39,000-square-foot build-out and interior renovation for marketing software company Signal. Located at 222 N. LaSalle, Signal’s new space is sleek and functional, featuring communal areas and conference rooms named after Chicago brewpubs. The renovation, completed over a 20-week schedule in the 90-year-old Builders Building, required the demolition of existing offices and… Read More
Skender Construction Announces New Executive Hire
Todd Andrlik has joined Skender Construction as Vice President of Marketing. With nearly 20 years of construction and professional services marketing experience, Andrlik brings to Skender an impressive background in strategic planning, content marketing, digital marketing, branding and managing high-performing teams. He will be working with Skender’s executive leadership team to develop and execute branding… Read More
Skender Construction Named as a Best Place to Work in Illinois for Ninth Consecutive Year
Skender Construction was recently named as one of the 2017 Best Places to Work in Illinois. Established in 2006, the awards program is promoted by The Daily Herald Business Ledger in partnership with the Human Resources Management Association of Chicago (HRMAC), the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, MRA-The Management Association, the Student Business Advocacy Council, the Greater Oak Brook… Read More
Skender Construction and Woodlawn Community Celebrate Groundbreaking of Woodlawn Station
Skender Construction and the Woodlawn community, along with state and local politicians, including U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, celebrated the groundbreaking of Woodlawn Station, a 95,000-square-foot transit-oriented development in Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood. The development, located just under the Cottage Grove Green Line CTA terminus station, will feature a main building that contains 55 units and two… Read More
Skender Construction Announces New Executive Appointment
Skender Construction, a leading Chicago-based general contractor, announced today a new executive appointment to strengthen the company’s business development initiatives. Dan Ulbricht has joined Skender as Vice President. A 19-year commercial construction and real estate industry expert, Ulbricht brings industry experience, an understanding of real estate development and an aptitude for managing strategic relationships. He… Read More
Fletcher Jones Service Center on Elston Ave
Newly completed construction of a luxury automotive service center, completed on an 8.5-acre urban fill plot in ChicagoÕs Goose Island neighborhood. Read More
Tom Conroy Joins Skender Construction as Senior Project Manager
Tom Conroy, SE, has joined Skender Construction as a senior project manager in Chicago. With nearly 30 years of construction and project management experience, Conroy brings an impressive portfolio of large-scale stadia, luxury hotels and high-rise, mixed-use development projects to the firm. "We are thrilled to welcome Tom to Skender’s operations team," says Mark Skender,… Read More
Fifth Annual Harvesting Hope Raises $25,000 for Embarc Chicago
The Builders' Board of Skender Foundation, comprised of young professionals, hosted its annual fundraiser, Harvesting Hope, on October 20 at House of Blues Chicago. This year’s charity partner and beneficiary was Embarc, a nonprofit three-year program that provides experience-based learning opportunities to low-income high school students. More than 300 people attended the event and raised… Read More
Skender Completes Construction of Axley Place Apartments
Skender Construction has completed construction of Axley Place Apartments, a two-building, 13-unit affordable housing development located in Glenview, Illinois. The 11,200-square-foot complex features one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, including three ADA compliant units and three adaptable units. "The opening of Axley Place is time for celebration," said Richard Koenig, PhD, Executive Director of Housing Opportunity… Read More
Over the Rainbow Association: The Mantra Build, Build, Build Takes on Higher Meaning
Elevation 007 In 1995, a young Evanston man was driving home from work when he swerved to avoid hitting a deer, crashed, and was left completely paralyzed. After a lengthy rehabilitation he moved in with his elderly mother. When she died, his home became his biggest challenge. Without assistance from another person, he was unable… Read More
Capital One Financial: Reimagining the Way 65 Million Customers Interact With Their Money
Elevation 007 Hannah French, Capital One’s senior manager of design and construction, confesses that people just don’t think banks are exciting. But Capital One is not your average bank. “We’re a top-ten bank on a journey to become a leading high-tech company and digital innovator,” she said. French just wrapped up managing the design and… Read More
Extreme Makover: Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza Apartments | Academy Square Apartments
Elevation 007 As landlords know, renovating an apartment is an exercise in timing and coordination. But renovating an entire building is more like an Olympic event, especially when it is fully occupied. Skender Construction last summer took on the massive rehabilitation, inside and out, of two circa 1970 rental communities on Chicago’s West Side. Within… Read More
Skender Construction Named as a Best Place to Work in Illinois for Eighth Consecutive Year
Skender Construction was recently named as one of the 2016 Best Places to Work in Illinois. The awards program began in 2006 and is promoted by The Daily Herald Business Ledger in partnership with the Human Resources Management Association of Chicago (HRMAC), the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, MRA-The Management Association, the Small Business Advocacy Council, the Greater Oak… Read More
Skender Construction Announces Promotions
Skender Construction announced today that five employees have been promoted. Luke DeTolve was promoted from superintendent to senior superintendent. DeTolve has over a decade of experience managing ground-up and interior tenant improvement construction for major clients including Motorola Mobility, DeVry University and Cision. He joined Skender Construction in 2012, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil… Read More
Skender Completes Construction of Bunker Labs at 1871
Skender Construction has completed construction of Bunker Labs, a veteran-owned business incubator within 1871 that supports fellow veteran entrepreneurs. Skender worked in collaboration with the Chicago office of global architecture and design firm Perkins+Will and multiple like-minded trade partners, volunteering services and donating materials to complete the buildout in Chicago's Merchandise Mart. With headquarters in… Read More
Skender Construction Promotes Bukowski and Simons to Project Executives
Skender Construction has promoted two members of its team to oversee the company’s daily operations. Brian Bukowski and Brian Simons were promoted to Project Executives, from Senior Project Managers. Bukowski and Simons will lead operations for all construction, project management and project administration activities throughout the firm. Bukowski joined Skender Construction in 2007 as a Project Engineer. He… Read More
Skender Foundation Announces Two New Directors
Skender Foundation has appointed Jeffrey Skender and Brian Skender to serve as directors of the foundation. Both members of the foundation's young professionals division, Builders' Board, Jeffrey and Brian will act as liaisons between Builders' Board and the foundation's Board of Directors while also assisting to improve overall operations, fundraising and membership efforts. Jeffrey Skender is a broker at… Read More
Skender Construction Completes Sleek New Space for PSAV
Skender Construction has completed construction on a new two-floor office space for PSAV, a global event technology service provider. The 75,000 square foot space at 5100 River Road in Schiller Park, IL features a bright, open design to encourage teamwork and collaboration. The design utilizes natural light and high-end finishes for a warm, modern feel.… Read More
Skender Completes Construction of The Villas of Lake in the Hills
Skender Construction has completed construction of The Villas of Lake in the Hills, a 60-unit affordable senior housing development located in Lake in the Hills, Illinois. The 75,550-square-foot independent living facility features one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, including six ADA compliant units and 12 adaptable units. "The opening of The Villas this past summer marks… Read More
Fourth Annual Harvesting Hope Raises $30,000 for Foundations of Music
The Builders' Board of Skender Foundation, comprised of young professionals, hosted its annual fundraiser, Harvesting Hope, on October 15 at House of Blues Chicago. This year's charity partner and benefactor was Foundations of Music, a nonprofit organization that provides programs designed to implement culturally relevant, hands-on music education for children in Chicago. More than 350 people attended the… Read More
Skender Construction Completes Vibrant New Home for Enova International
Skender Construction has completed construction of the 165,000 square foot office relocation for Enova International, a global technology and analytics-driven online lender. The new space, at 175 West Jackson Boulevard in Downtown Chicago, utilizes open space and an efficient layout to foster collaboration and provide room for future growth. The bright, energetic space incorporates bold… Read More
4 Experts Share What’s Hot – and What’s Not – for Tech Office Trends
Having a killer office space in today’s tech-minded workplace is of utmost importance. More often than not, tech startups attract savvy workers with zero interest in working at your pop’s cubicled nine-to-five. But what factors actually go into making an office hot or not? From paint color, desk size, and layout all the way to… Read More
Skender Completes Construction of Breakthrough FamilyPlex Facility
Skender Construction has completed construction on the $11.4 million Breakthrough FamilyPlex, a community center built to empower Chicago’s East Garfield Park neighborhood and combat the area’s disadvantages. The 42,500-square-foot facility provides youth and preschool classrooms, a gymnasium, medical clinic with 10 exam rooms, art studio, community café, technology center, fitness center and playground for local… Read More
Skender Completes Construction of Southwick Place
Skender Construction has completed construction of Southwick Place, a 40-unit affordable housing development located in south suburban Matteson. The apartment community is owned by Over the Rainbow Association (OTR), an Illinois nonprofit association dedicated to providing affordable, barrier-free housing solutions for people with physical disabilities. All units within the 37,000-square-foot complex exceed the 2010 ADA… Read More
Cision Case Study
Peter Granat, CEO of Chicago-based Cision, talks about the construction of Cision's new corporate headquarters. Read More
Skender Construction Continues to Grow Healthcare Construction Team
Skender Construction announced today that it has added a new senior superintendent to its growing healthcare team. John Weaver, LEED AP, CHC, has over 30 years’ experience managing construction for major healthcare institutions across Illinois. Weaver has served as senior superintendent for high-caliber projects such as Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, The Heart Hospital at… Read More
Down to Detail: NorthShore Place
Elevation 006 When Senior Lifestyle Corporation set out to develop its first Signature Collection community in the country, they knew that architectural details and innovative amenities would be key to achieving new heights of luxury. “We knew we wanted something first class,” said Jerry Frumm, executive vice president at Senior Lifestyle. “We wanted it to… Read More
The Changing Workplace: New Offices Are Smaller but Smarter
Elevation 005 The modern-day office environment has undergone a massive transformation. Spaces are smaller, but they also are smarter and more efficient. The walls have come down, both literally and figuratively. “The way people worked 20 years ago no longer exists,” said Bill Conopeotis, founder and president at ConopCo Project Management in Hoffman Estates. “Before,… Read More
Moto Moving Forward
Elevation 006 It was the largest tenant build-out the city has seen in at least a decade: The Motorola Mobility global headquarters relocation to Chicago’s historic Merchandise Mart. Leasing 600,000 square feet on four floors, Moto’s new space has been likened to a 25-story high-rise turned on its side. But the massive adaptive re-use project… Read More
Building on Opportunity: Shop & Dine Northwestern Brings the Right Mix of Retail Offerings to the Healthcare Environment
Elevation 004 When Northwestern Memorial Hospital set out to integrate shops and restaurants into its program four years ago, they discovered they were catering to a much larger population than the average hospital. A comprehensive study revealed that a staggering 13.5 million retail transactions were occurring in the medical campus’ neighborhood of Streeterville each year.… Read More
Change is Good: Mercedes-Benz of Ontario
Elevation 004 Fletcher Jones Motorcars’ philosophy is to provide the same high-end service and satisfaction one might find at a five-star hotel or resort. As one of the most successful luxury automobile dealer groups in the country, their brand is built on creating memorable experiences and lasting relationships with their customers. With an established presence… Read More
Stepping It Up: Erie HealthReach Waukegan Health Center
Elevation 006 After an extensive search, Erie Family Health Center settled on the perfect building for a vibrant new community health center in Waukegan: A 1950s-era bank. Completely transforming a former financial institution into a quality medical and dental care facility that would serve 10,000 Lake County residents would be challenging, but the two-story masonry… Read More
Finding the Façade: American Society of Anesthesiologists
Elevation 006 The new headquarters of the American Society of Anesthesiologists is calmly situated among an expanse of office buildings in Schaumburg. But the element of surprise makes this building wildly different than a typical build-to suit: The exterior’s mix of metal and glass is stunning from the outside, while the sophisticated open interior environment… Read More
Fourth Annual Summer Eclipse Raises More Than $325,000 For Local Charities
Skender Foundation hosted its annual fundraiser, Summer Eclipse, on July 16 at The Underground Chicago. This year’s charity partner and primary benefactor was OneGoal, the nation’s only teacher-led college enrollment and persistence organization. $25,000 of the money raised by sponsors and attendees will be donated to OneGoal, while the rest will be dispersed to various… Read More
Skender Construction Named One of Chicago’s “Best & Brightest” for Eighth Consecutive Year
Skender Construction was named one of Chicago's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For for the eighth consecutive year. The regional competition, sponsored by the National Association for Business Resources, honors organizations that display a commitment to excellence in their human resources practices and employee enrichment. Organizations are assessed based on categories such as… Read More
Elevating the Industry: Howard Tullman
Elevation 006 The work at 1871 is never done. Just two years after its launch, Chicago’s largest and most talked-about tech incubator created 1,500 jobs, expanded its physical footprint in The Merchandise Mart and introduced 1871 2.0, a place that reflects the organization’s ever-evolving objectives and desire to constantly keep raising the bar. But innovation,… Read More
Skender Construction Announces Two New Executive Appointments
Skender Construction has announced two new appointments to its executive leadership team. Lisa Latronico has been promoted from Human Resources Director to Vice President, People and Culture at Skender Construction. Latronico has been a vital member of the Skender team since 2001 and has since pioneered a number of acclaimed employee enrichment and recruiting programs, leading the firm… Read More
The Legacy of Giving
Elevation 005 Since its 2012 inception, Skender Foundation has raised over $500,000, helped more than 50 charitable organizations, thrown four benefits and founded one subcommittee. But there’s one number that matters most: The number of lives changed, both now and in the future. “Our vision is to perpetuate the legacy of giving. That's what drives… Read More
Skender Construction, Eastlake Studio, JLL complete Cision’s new global headquarters in Chicago
Construction is complete on Cision’s new 50,000-square-foot global headquarters at One Prudential Plaza in Chicago, Illinois. The buildout was completed by general contractor Skender Construction, architect Eastlake Studio and project manager JLL. Cision and similar public relations software firm Vocus merged in 2014 and operate under the Cision banner. The new Cision, boasting 1,500 employees… Read More
Balancing Creativity and Value: United Way of Metropolitan Chicago
Elevation 004 When United Way of Metropolitan Chicago merged with its suburban counterparts a decade ago, the nonprofit human services agency was housed in a West Loop loft building. Its various departments and functions were physically spread out and segregated across three separate floors. That environment wasn’t optimal for an organization that views one of… Read More
Fast Growth: BigMachines, Inc.
Elevation 004 In a little over a decade, BigMachines, Inc. has grown fast. What began as an internet start-up founded by MIT graduates in 2000 has transformed into a global company that has doubled its business year over year. Headquartered in north suburban Deerfield, BigMachines knew that their current office location was a temporary solution.… Read More
Skilled Labor Shortage: Builders Gear Up for a Changing Workforce
Elevation 005 The Great Recession is fading into the past, and construction is on the upswing. But many industry leaders have found they can’t simply pick up where they left off. An estimated 2 million jobs were lost to the economy, and that’s a tough blow. Even if the jobs come back, many of the… Read More
Community Health Centers: Affordable Care Act Spurs Growth, Centers are up for the Challenge
Elevation 005 As the Affordable Care Act continues to unfold, this landmark legislation is providing millions of Americans with better health and better life quality. It also is changing the delivery of health care and, in turn, the design and construction of health care facilities. A growing movement is replacing the traditional model of testing,… Read More
Keeping it in Full Swing: Albion at Loyola Station
Elevation 004 For Loyola University Chicago, creating a community reaches beyond the immediate campus. The faith-based institution has supported its Rogers Park neighborhood with the development of new luxury rental housing, retail spaces and a parking garage. The most recent endeavor is Albion at Loyola Station, a 29-unit, market rate apartment complex that opened last… Read More
Skender Completes Construction of American Society of Anesthesiologists Headquarters
Skender Construction completed construction of the new corporate headquarters for the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), an educational, research and scientific society to raise and maintain the standards of anesthesiology. Located in Schaumburg, IL, the new 77,000-square-foot, three-story, highly custom headquarters houses ASA’s more than 200 local employees and supports the organization’s membership functions, education… Read More
Motorola Mobility Wins ENR Midwest Best Project and CoreNet Chicago Project of the Year
The Motorola Mobility Headquarters Relocation project has been recognized with two regional project of the year awards: ENR Midwest Best Interior Design/Tenant Improvement Project and CoreNet Chicago Project of the Year. The new headquarters, located in Chicago’s historic Merchandise Mart, was completed by project manager CBRE, architect Gensler, general contractor Skender Construction, MEP engineer Environmental… Read More
Elevating the Industry: Google
Elevation 005 What’s it take to build a great culture? Some tout buzzwords in an effort to build culture, others try to meticulously design it from the top-down. One thing is clear: For those searching for that sustainable one-up over the competition, culture is becoming a critical part of the conversation. If companies take a… Read More
Skender Completes Construction of North Shore Place
Skender Construction has completed construction of North Shore Place, a new 156-unit assisted living and memory care community for seniors in Northbrook, IL. The new five-story community is located at 1000 Sunset Ridge Road and consists of luxury retirement apartments as well as state-of-the-art memory care accommodations. Senior Lifestyle Corporation is the owner and operator.… Read More
American Society of Anesthesiologists
The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) is an educational research and scientific association of physicians organized to raise and maintain the standards of the medical practice of anesthesiology and improve the care of the patient. Since its founding in 1905, the Society's achievements have made it an important voice in American Medicine and the foremost… Read More
Motorola Mobility: The Labs
Constructing laboratory space at Motorola Mobility's new corporate headquarters required a specialized approach. Read More
What our Clients and Project Partners Say
We asked our clients and project partners to comment on their experience with Skender Construction after the completion of Motorola Mobility. Thank you to CBRE, Gensler, Motorola Mobility and Google for participating. Read More
Motorola Mobility: Smart Project Management
Skender Construction's project management team used many methods to build 600,000 square feet of office, research and laboratory space for Motorola Mobility's new corporate headquarters at the Merchandise Mart. Read More
Motorola Mobility: A Historic Transformation at the Merchandise Mart
Adaptive reuse projects are challenging, yet very rewarding. Skender Construction and other project partners had a lot to consider when they transformed three full floors at the Merchandise Mart, an 80-year-old building into the new corporate headquarters for Motorola Mobility. Read More
Motorola Mobility: GNPO
Building Motorola Mobility's GNPO facility required specialized planning. Read More
Motorola Mobility: The Plan
How did Skender Construction's project management team approach an aggressive schedule to build Motorola Mobility's new corporate headquarters? Smart planning includes all players and incorporates collaboration from the start. Read More
Summer Eclipse raises over $320,000 for local charities
Skender Foundation hosted its third annual Summer Eclipse on July 17. Over 400 people attended the fundraiser, held at The Underground Chicago, raising over $320,000 for charity partner ChiArts and various other local organizations impacting education and wellness. This year’s highlighted cause and primary benefactor was ChiArts, Chicago’s first public high school for the performing… Read More
Skender Construction Named One of Chicago’s “Best & Brightest” 2014
Skender Construction was named one of Chicago's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For for the seventh consecutive year. The regional competition, sponsored by the National Association for Business Resources, honors organizations that display a commitment to excellence in their human resources practices and employee enrichment. Organizations are assesed based on categories such as… Read More
Brett Opie joins Skender Construction as Vice President
Skender Construction has announced a new executive appointment to strengthen the company’s business development initiatives. Brett Opie has joined Skender as Vice President. A 20-year commercial real estate veteran, Opie brings a range of multifaceted industry experience to the growing company, including brokerage, development, landlord / tenant representation and sales management. Opie will work in… Read More
Summer Eclipse on WGN Morning News Around Town
Highlighting Summer Eclipse and ChiArts with Ana Belaval at The Underground Chicago. Read More
EarthCam: American Society of Anesthesiologists
A time lapse video of the new 3-story, 75,000 SF office facility constructed for ASA. Architects: Tilton, Kelly + Bell; Epstein General Contractor: Skender Construction Read More
Motorola Mobility Corporate Headquarters Construction Case Study
Motorola Mobility's new corporate headquarters in Chicago's Merchandise Mart is a once-in-a-lifetime project. This case study details how the project team collaborated to bring this 600,000 SF project to life in 45 weeks. Read More
Motorola Mobility Global Headquarters Construction Case Study
Motorola Mobility's new corporate headquarters in Chicago's Merchandise Mart is a once-in-a-lifetime project. This case study details how the project team collaborated to bring this 600,000 SF project to life in 45 weeks. Read More
Skender Construction named No. 1 Best Place to Work in Illinois 2014
Skender Construction has been named the No. 1 Best Place to Work in Illinois for the second consecutive year. In 2014, Skender, last year's leader of the small employer category, joined the ranks and made the top of the list of medium-sized companies. The awards program, promoted by The Daily Herald Business Ledger, was designed to identify, recognize… Read More
Elevating the Industry: Andy Gloor
Elevation 004 For anyone who works in commercial real estate, it’s no secret the neighborhood known for its meat packers and industrial chic is about to boom. Google and bicycle manufacturer SRAM are gearing up to call the area known as Fulton Market home. Others are following suit, making this location one of the most… Read More
Dan Marijan Promoted to Partner at Skender Construction
Skender Construction has announced the promotion of Senior Superintendent Dan Marijan to Partner at the firm. Dan Marijan has been a Senior Superintendent at Skender Construction for over ten years and has 30 years’ experience managing construction sites throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. He has managed some of the largest and most complex projects in… Read More
Cicchetti | Sopraffina at Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Owner Dan Rosenthal discusses his experience completing 9,200 square foot dual restaurant buildout at Northwestern Memorial Hospital with Skender. Read More
Skender Construction Announces a New Generation of Leadership and Partners
Skender Construction, a general contractor headquartered in downtown Chicago, announced today that it has promoted a number of executives to new levels of leadership. This change will allow the company to build an exciting corporate culture unparalleled in the construction industry and poise itself for continued growth. Joseph Skender, currently president of Skender Construction, has… Read More
Skender Construction Named One of the 2013 Best Places to Work in Illinois
Skender Construction has been named one of the Best Places to Work in Illinois for the sixth consecutive year. The annual, statewide awards program identifies, recognizes and honors the best places of employment in Illinois, benefiting the state's economy, workforce and businesses. Read More