Interior Build-out Archives

Hazel Technologies

Hazel Technologies’ global HQ is one of Chicago’s first office-to-lab conversions and the largest private chemical lab in the city of Chicago. Skender converted brand-new office space into a two-story lab and office for the USDA-funded tech company, which is developing solutions to extend the shelf life of fresh produce. The finished space features open research and lab support, as well as 10,000 SF of administrative and office space and 5,000 SF of collaboration space, including several sizes of meeting rooms, huddle rooms, and prep and tasting rooms.

TrueBlue

In the Old Post Office, Skender constructed an 82,500-square-foot headquarters for TrueBlue, a leading workforce solution provider, to provide the tenant with large, open, collaborative spaces and an impactful café that took advantage of the Old Post Office’s high ceilings. Through experience gained by leading more than 600,000 square feet of interior construction in this high-profile historic redevelopment, Skender advises clients on how to thoughtfully reuse and restore historic Art Deco features of the original buildings while meeting their technological and workflow needs for connectivity and collaboration.

Matter

Matter, an Illinois-backed healthcare incubator, turned to Skender to build-out its collaborative co-working space in the Merchandise Mart. The workspace is used by startup and growth-stage companies supporting healthcare and life sciences innovation.

Loyola University Chicago Flex Lab

A new, single-story flex lab building for the university’s engineering science program and its active learning network. Designed to put engineering on display and provide natural light, the glass façade utilizes electrochromic technology, a form of Smart Glass that changes with daylight using sensors that monitor the sunlight’s intensity on the façade. The glass becomes less transparent as the sun sets, reducing solar heat gain and glare.

AbelsonTaylor

An 85,000-SF build-out for an advertising firm in the historic Old Post Office. This project included many historic objectives as well as reconstruction of existing stairs, ceilings, and other existing conditions. Located on the entire sixth floor of the north building and a portion of the fifth floor of the south building, the space features private offices, open-office workstations, open-collaboration areas, conferencing, two café / social hubs, photography and editing rooms, storage and intermediate distribution frame (IDF) rooms. The floors are separated by just a few staircases, essentially functioning as a single office space spanning two floors. Watch the video >>

Spaces

An interior buildout for a co-working office. In addition to all new MEPFP systems, the project features include new private offices, conference room, break area, coffee shop, suspended ceiling, extensive custom millwork and high-end finishes.

WBEZ

An interior buildout for Chicago National Public Radio affiliate WBEZ at Navy Pier. This project features include extensive A/V package, new common areas, the replacement of existing rooftop and air handling units, and new high-end finishes. Additionally, a client-facing pantry and new workstations were added to the finished space.

A multi-phased interior remodel for a technology company LinkedIn’s Chicago office. In addition to expansions across several floors, the project includes new work spaces, conference rooms, phone rooms, huddle rooms, a new cafe & pantry and an open office layout. A large connecting stair was also constructed between the fifth and sixth floors. This project is certified LEED Gold. Watch the video >>

HERE Technologies

Occupying eight floors of the Boeing Building, the 225,000-square-foot HERE Chicago office was transformed into a contemporary environment that reflects the company’s vision, brand and history of innovation. Project included an open-floorplan seating arrangement that will facilitate better and faster collaboration, a variety of meeting rooms that accommodate anywhere from 2 to 200 people, immersive telepresence capabilities for teamwork with peers and customers across the globe, several dedicated “wellness” and “mothers’” rooms, immersion/quiet workspaces, large and small café areas, and a game room. Local artists were commissioned for several interior murals and significant enhancements were made towards green initiatives and ergonomics.

Conagra Brands

Headquarters relocation from Omaha, NE to the Merchandise Mart in Chicago’s River North neighborhood. Completed space includes 20,000 SF test kitchen with full A/V integration to allow live telepresent meetings and cooking demonstrations, open office space, cafeteria and locker rooms. Project is Gold Leed Certified.

PayPal/Braintree

An interior build-out for online payment technology firm at the Merchandise Mart. Finished space includes open conference rooms, open plan areas, demonstration area, storage rooms, break rooms and IDF/server rooms.

A multifloor addition to LinkedIn Chicago’s space, including a new staircase tied into the existing structure.

Vital Proteins

Multi-phased interior build-out for Vital Proteins in Chicago’s booming West Loop neighborhood. The space features a fitness center, cafe, as well as communicating stairway connecting the second and third floor. Additionally, bright finishes, custom branding and live plants are utilized to reflect the client’s brand, a focus on healthy living. Watch the video >>

Aspen Dental

Interior build-out for a technology-based dental practice management company in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood. Project featured open office design, break room, pantry, and conference and demo spaces. The project also focused on high-end finishes for a sleek, modern look.

Holland & Knight

An interior build-out spread over two floors for international law firm at 150 N. Riverside. Project included new paint, carpet, reconfigured MEPFPs and high-end finishes to accommodate the law firm’s client-facing focus.

1871

A high profile, collaborartive workspace for digital technology entrepreneurs. Space includes a full-service Intelligentsia coffee bar in the reception area and exposed floor and ceiling finishes, as well as a state-of-the-art AV system.

C.H. Robinson

207,000 SF interior buildout across four floors for third party supply chain logistics company. The space includes open office work stations, private offices, conference rooms, two reception areas, a warming pantry and large cafe. Additionally, the space will feature a 5,000 SF roof terrace as well as an open atrium. Watch the video >>

The Warranty Group

Interior buildout completed within an aggressive 12-week schedule. This project posed unique challenges, in particular, working at 175 W. Jackson, a 90-year-old building. Upgrades included interior refresh with new paint, carpet and fixtures as well as custom millwork throughout.

Prezi

The team at Prezi selected Skender to assist with a full interior renovation of their new, 20,000 SF space at 450 Bryant in San Francisco. Skender will be working hand in hand with the San Francisco Gensler team to build an exciting new space for Prezi showcasing an enormous, two-story show-and-tell amphitheater space, a full kitchen with catering area, conference rooms, an executive boardroom and office space to accommodate their 120+ employees.

Soho House

50,000-square-foot owner-driven alterations to newly constructed high-end private clubhouse. Scope of work includes phased renovations to occupied boutique hotel, public restaurants, bars, event spaces, theatre, lounges, and rooftop bar with pool deck. (June 2014 – August 2014)

Sprout Social

This 64,000-SF build-out helped the client expand its operations by adding open-office seating, interior private offices, flex space, conference rooms, a training room, large boardroom, makers space, two additional intermediate distribution frame (IDF) rooms, as well as a second café with full presentation capabilities. The tech-driven project required the restoration of the HVAC system and addition of a unique underfloor electrical infrastructure. Watch the video >>

The Climate Corporation

21,000-square-foot office build-out for The Climate Corporation, a subsidiary of Monsanto 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 Corporation’s passion for agriculture is manifested throughout the office with an antique tractor on display and huddle rooms built out as silos using oversized barn doors. Two dedicated workshops house equipment and ongoing projects, and a large breakroom with a custom chain link design wall offers ping-pong and foosball for employees.

Wilson Sporting Goods

90,000-square-foot headquarters relocation project 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 of the sixth floor slab and provide structural reinforcement around the new opening.

Glassdoor

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, 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, plus two kitchens and a café.

GGP

176,000-square-foot headquarters relocation for retail real estate company GGP. GGP’s new three-floor space contains modern finishes, an abundance of natural light, and an open-office formate with exposed ceilings. The focal point of the space is the third-floor café that walks out to a 10,500-square-foot private roof deck overlooking Wolf Point and three branches of the Chicago River.

SRAM

74,000-square-foot interior buildout including a paint booth, lab, and machine shop. Architectural features include a useable bike track throughout the space, exposed concrete floors, and a stacked-wood wall feature. Project was awarded two Green Globes under the Sustainable Interiors certification system.

Swift & Sons

15,750-square-foot interior buildout of a high-end restaurant in Chicago’s Fulton Market neighborhood. Project features an oyster bar, bistro bar, and private dining rooms in addition to the main dining room. (January 2015 – October 2015)

United Way

28,000-square-foot office relocation and buildout for non-profit organization. Collaborative, modern office space completed on expedited schedule. (January 2013 – April 2013)

Vedder Price

160,000-square-foot interior buildout of a law firm, including a 5,500-square-foot corporate conference center, restroom renovation, document center, accounting department and overall refresh. Project includes six floors.

Water Street Healthcare Partners

20,000-square-foot interior build-out for a healthcare investment firm in a new high-rise building at 444 W. Lake. Featured high-end finishes, custom millwork throughout, all private offices and a custom golf simulator room.

Whole Foods Market

50,000-square-foot regional headquarters with wood ceiling at lobby entrance that was design-built. Whole Foods products and branding are showcased throughout the space. Completed three weeks ahead of schedule and under budget. (August 2010 – November 2011 [10 weeks]; November 2013 – February 14 [12 weeks])

Morningstar

26,000-square-foot interior office build-out for a financial firm. Open concept space with custom-built stage area and circular stadium seating. Project included demolition of existing space.

Morton Salt

53,000-square-foot 2-floor interior build-out at 444 W. Lake Street. Includes conference rooms, huddle rooms, team areas and opening office benching. Design features include custom floor graphics, video wall and custom millwork planters throughout space.

Motorola Mobility

600,000-square-foot, four-floor global headquarters relocation and base building infrastructure upgrade at the Merchandise Mart. Includes open office space, R & D laboratories, server/LAN rooms, and a 50,000-square-foot rooftop terrace.

Navigant

4-floor interior buildout in a new highrise at 150 North Riverside. Space includes a cafe on each floor, three separate internal stairs, private offices, open office area, conference rooms, executive suite and demountable partitions.

Northwestern Medical Group Ophthalmology Clinic

Medical clinic buildout. Project includes 53 exam rooms, 5 procedure rooms, 1 Lasik room and expansive reception with main waiting area and 3 sub-waiting areas.

Northwestern Medicine PET MR Arkes Suite

Gut renovation of existing suite into PET MR imaging suite. Includues construction of new MRI room with associated copper radio frequency and steel magnetic shielding. Includes structural steel support for shielding, imaging equipment, air handling unit and exhaust fan.

Northshore University HealthSystem CVI Renovation

Buildout of cardiovascular health facility. Complete gut/renovation, turning two suites into one office. The space is comprised of 13 exam rooms, 1 procedure room and 1 restroom.

Quarles & Brady

Three-floor interior build-out of prestigious law firm. This 75,000-square-foot LEED Gold-certified office features operable Skyfold partitions, custom wood paneling, wood flooring and ceiling, and a mock court room.

Rush Oak Park Hospital Specialty Clinic

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 rooms, as well as four procedure/treatment rooms. Support and ancillary spaces include reception, waiting, blood draw, and administrative offices. A portion of the build-out is dedicated to the adjacent ROPH hematology/oncology practice, adding four infusion bays and a nurse’s station.

Smack Shack

Restaurant build-out in 1KFulton. Included open ceiling concept, polished concrete floors, bar and booth construction, new MEP and infrastructure for kitchen and bar equipment.

Google

357,000-square-foot office relocation to new West Loop development. Includes full-service prep kitchen, seven-story stair, a roof deck, open-office concept, and multiple conference areas. Project is LEED V4 certified and is attempting certification with Living Building Challenge and WELL Building. Project marks the first LEED V4 in the city of Chicago and the first project to ever attempt all three certifications. (January 2015 – November 2015)

Harrison Street Capital

51,000-square-foot interior buildout for a real estate capital firm headquartered in the new River Point at 444 West Lake in downtown Chicago. The two floors include a monumental stair clad in wood, high end wall coverings throughout the space, and a blend of open and private offices.

Harley Ellis Devereaux

Skender partnered with the team at Harley Ellis Devereaux to improve portions of their existing 7,200 square foot, 4th floor office space. Scope of work included interior renovations to open and enclosed office areas, reception area and team room.

International Interior Design Association

15,000-square-foot single-phase build-out with extensive MEP coordination to achieve design aesthetic. Worked closely with material vendors to assist with client’s in kind donation process to ensure seamless project delivery.

kCura

Interior build-out and expansion of multiple floors for legal software development company. Space features agile pods, raised floors, and exposed deck with Aktura blase system.

Korn Ferry

30,000-square-foot interior office build-out of an executive recruiting firm in downtown Chicago’s Willis Tower.

Kraft Heinz

Corporate headquarters relocation to downtown Chicago’s business district. The 5-story floor plan includes a fully open office plan, Kraft Heinz company store for employees and branding / graphics package in the design scheme.

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago X-Ray Replacement

Control room renovation within occupied healthcare facility. Hospital maintained full use of other X-Ray machines in adjacent areas throughout the duration of the project.

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Project S

60,000-square-foot, 5-story interior demolition and build out for offices, conference spaces, work rooms and work stations.

Mead Johnson Nutrition

64,000-square-foot interior office build-out for Mead Johnson, a leading nutrition company for babies and children. The baby formula company has relocated its corporate headquarters from Glenview to 444 W. Lake St in downtown Chicago. The three-floor project included a 1,500-square-foot slab cut for a self-supporting feature staircase with custom rails and a 2,000-square-foot one-of-a-kind Arktura ceiling baffle system. (October 2016 – March 2017)

150 N. Riverside Restaurants – Four Corners Tavern Group

Two restaurant build-outs for Four Corners Tavern Group at 150 N. Riverside. The two eaters total nearly 15,000 square feet of space for Small Cheval and Porter Kitchen & Deck. Porter Kitchen, a restaurant and bar, occupies the ground level and includes warm and elegant décor as well as a riverfront patio with seating. Small Cheval, a retro-style burger venture between Four Corners Tavern Group and Hogsalt Hospitality, is located on the main floor. Above Small Cheval, Porter Kitchen occupies the roof deck and offers views of the river and Chicago architecture. The interior construction project also included some restaurant administration office space.

Beam Suntory

112,000-square-foot interior renovation of the corporate headquarters for a spirits company on the 16th floor of the Merchandise Mart.

Capital One

22,000-square-foot tech incubator space build-out that expands upon Capital One’s flagship space in Chicago. Features flexible working environments with huddle rooms, modular conference room, and open office with movable desk configurations. (August 2016 – January 2017)

Cicchetti | Sopraffina

9,200-square-foot dual restaurant build-out and hospital retrofit, including 2,000 square foot mezzanine. This initiative was part of the Shop & Dine Northwestern program. (July 2013 – November 2013)

ConAgra

168,000-square-foot headquarter relocation from Omaha, NE to the Merchandise Mart. Includes 20,000-square-foot test kitchen with full A/V integration to allow live telepresent meetings and cooking demonstrations, open office space, conference rooms, cafeteria and locker rooms.