fbpx Skip to main content
All Posts By

Hayley Sumner

May 06
Love0

New 42-unit West Loop Condo Building

By News

Construction permit approved for boutique West Loop condo project, 1400 Monroe

The city of Chicago has greenlighted JK Equities’ 42-unit, seven-story boutique condominium building, 1400 Monroe. The property, located in Chicago’s West Loop, is expected to be delivered by summer 2021.

Milburn Demolition and Dismantling has completed demolition of the existing building. Construction will be led by Summit Design + Build and Lakeside Bank is financing the construction loan.

Pricing for 1400 Monroe starts in the $760,000s and ranges up to $2.35 million with sales led by ON Collaborative, with homes ranging in size from 1,242 to 3,139 square feet, offering two, three- and four-bedroom layouts. To date, more than 30 percent of the building’s 42 residences have been sold.

Designed by the award-winning, Chicago-based architecture firm Booth Hansen, 1400 Monroe was designed in part to create harmony between the neighborhood’s industrial past and today’s modern design. The façade will be made up of a rich depth of grey brick paired with metal detailing and industrial-sized windows flooding the homes with natural light.

Residences, designed by highly acclaimed, New York-based Mojo Stumer, boast modern, open-concept floor plans that are designed for space efficiency with oversized kitchens and elegant finishes. Most homes will feature large balconies for entertaining or Juliet balconies, and select second-floor homes will feature expansive outdoor terraces.

See the Article 

May 06
Love0

New 42-unit condominium in the West Loop

By News

JK Equities’ West Loop Condos Set to Launch Construction

1400 Monroe, a 42-unit residential condominium development by JK Equities in the West Loop, has officially received its construction permit. The project is expected to deliver by summer 2021.

Headquartered in Roslyn, NY, JK Equities recently completed the demolition of the existing building and is mobilizing to commence construction of the new 1400 West Monroe. Lakeside Bank is financing the construction loan and construction will be led by Summit Design + Build.

Pricing for 1400 Monroe starts in the $760,000s and ranges up to $2.35 million, with sales led by ON Collaborative. Condo units will range in size  from 1,242 to 3,139 square feet, offering  two, three- and four-bedroom floor plans.

See the Article 

Mar 06
Love1

What it’s like to be a Woman in Construction

By Industry Insights

An Interview with the Women of Summit Design + Build

Women in Construction Week is a great way to highlight women as a viable component of the industry and to emphasize the growing role of women in construction. In honor of this week, we sat down with some of the women of Summit Design + Build, Alekhya Pujari- Project Engineer I, Amber Autumn- Business Development, Carrie Wagner- Project Engineer II and Deanna Pegoraro– Vice President, to ask them firsthand about their experiences as women in construction.

Despite only compromising 10.3 percent of the construction work force, women continue to build their career paths within the industry. We asked the women of Summit, “Why is it important to create equal opportunities for women in construction?”

Deanna

Deanna: “I think it’s important to create equal opportunities for women in construction because it’s a relationship-based industry and women bring a wide variety of skills and strengths to the table. Today you see more and more young women pursuing degrees in engineering and construction management. As a leader in my company, I hope to foster a culture that is attractive for women and make sure that we identify and remove any roadblocks that they may face.”

Amber: “The AEC market is missing out when there isn’t inclusion. The best teams I have been on are the ones that have diversity. Diversity brings more creative problem solving and strengthens teamwork.”

Alekhya: “Good project management isn’t gender specific, if we can see beyond the gender of any opportunity/job seeker we can build stronger organizations.”

Carrie: “I think it is important to create equal opportunities in construction to create another example in a largely male dominated industry that women can be a part of it and really succeed at it.”

Carrie

Amber

Alekhya

Although only a small percentage of the construction industry is made up of women, the number is on the raise. As efforts continue to diversify the industry, we asked the women, “What opportunities do you see opening up for women in the AEC industry?”

Deanna: “The AEC industry as a whole has done a much better job of encouraging and embracing women who have identified construction as their passion and chosen to make a career of it but I feel like there is still a lot to be done to ensure that we are attracting, recruiting and retaining talented women in ALL roles and at ALL levels in our industry.”

Amber: “From the general contractor perspective, I see the project Superintendent position opening up more for women in the commercial space. As a 14-year veteran superintendent, it was a fun and dynamic profession. Building hotels around the country, industrial buildings, and then tenant interiors towards the end of my career, there were always problems to solve. As a superintendent, you are never bored or unchallenged. Plus, planning your outfits for the week is refreshingly easy! Just grab jeans, construction boots, a collared shirt, and you are all set. The superintendent’s wardrobe added simplicity to my life.”

There is no doubt that being a women in a male dominated industry comes along with its own set of obstacles. The women of Summit have each overcome their own set of obstacles and have taken different paths to get to their current positions. As we had them reflect back on their careers, we asked “What are you most proud of in your career?”

Deanna: “I have always tried to keep the big picture in mind. To listen to people, to learn as much as I can, to take advice and be informed so that I can make decisions confidently. Although I may have had to work a little harder to gain trust and respect that was given more freely to men in my industry, I am very proud that I never gave up. This industry is constantly changing and evolving. Every day I learn something new. The more you are open to learning and understanding about the business, the more career growth you will have.”

Carrie: “Thus far, I am the most proud of the work I did at the Golden State Foods project in the West Loop. I am proud that I led that job majorly on my own, with a very important client. It makes it worthwhile to see a project go from an empty space to a finished office.”

As we wrapped up our discussion, we asked the ladies to share any advice they would give women who want to pursue a career in the construction industry-

Deanna: “Being a woman in construction is not for the faint of heart. You really need to have ambition, resilience, determination and confidence to succeed. There were many times, especially earlier on in my career, when I was the only woman at the table or the only woman at a construction job site. It is important in those situations to be confident but I had to work hard to build up that confidence.”

Amber: “It’s easy to be overwhelmed when working on substantial projects. Managing stress better would have been more helpful. The knowledge I did appreciate when I started my career was good leadership and management skills. I led with the belief that you can manage your way through any tough task or situation by being an organized project manager. Create your plan and then work your plan tenaciously. It’s essential to embody your position fully; know and feel confident you can trust your skills and instincts.”

Alekhya: “Trust that you are well prepared with what is necessary and your skills will help you overcome any challenges along the way. Just because this is not a women dominated field doesn’t mean a women can’t excel here.”

Carrie: “I wish I knew how much communication skills I would need. I think I do communicate well but there are so many different types of people that you communicate with and also that communication has to be very well documented in this industry. It is another level of detail that I was not aware of.”

To be a women in construction is something to be proud of and the women of Summit Design + Build are of no exception. It is important to celebrate the contributions that women bring to the construction industry and Women in Construction Week is a great way to do just that. Happy Women in Construction Week to all of the women in construction from Summit Design + Build!

Sources: 

Big Rentz | ENR

Feb 25
Love0

Summit Completes the Construction of 905 W. Fulton

By News

Summit Design + Build Completes the Construction of 905 W. Fulton

Summit Design + Build, LLC recently completed work at 905 W. Fulton Market. Located at the corner of North Peoria Street and West Fulton Market Street, the adaptive reuse project totals 108,650 square feet of loft office, restaurant and retail space and is the latest addition to the Fulton Market District which has been a hotbed for development in recent years.

Four buildings located between 216-232 N. Peoria Street were purchased and rezoned in 2016 by New York-based developer Thor Equities to make up what would become the new 905 W. Fulton. The largest of the four buildings, 216 N. Peoria, dated back to 1894 with its immediate neighbor to the north, 226 N. Peoria, dating back to 1916. Both were originally home to the Chicago Butchers and Packing Co. All four buildings had sat vacant prior to the start of the project.

905 W Fulton

Four buildings located between 216-232 N. Peoria Street were purchased and rezoned in 2016 by New York-based developer Thor Equities to make up what would become the new 905 W. Fulton. The largest of the four buildings, 216 N. Peoria, dated back to 1894 with its immediate neighbor to the north, 226 N. Peoria, dating back to 1916. Both were originally home to the Chicago Butchers and Packing Co. All four buildings had sat vacant prior to the start of the project.

Both buildings on the South half of the site were contributing buildings in the Fulton-Randolph Market Historic District, just two of 88 buildings designated by the City of Chicago that cannot be altered to change what makes them unique and worthy of preservation. Due to their historical significance, the buildings were kept, in-part, reconstructed, and tied back into the new building.

Work at 905 W. Fulton began with the full demolition of the two existing, single-story structures on the Northside of the site. These buildings were replaced by a new 5-story building with first floor retail and office space on the floors above. Work continued with the selective interior and structural demolition of the buildings on the south half of the site. Two-story additions were added to bring the total height to five stories including a roof terrace on each building.

Mondelez International, the global snack brand, will relocate their corporate headquarters to 905 W. Fulton Market and occupy all 77,100 square feet of office space.

905 W. Fulton Imagery

Jan 23
Love1

Summit Design + Build featured in Connect Chicago

By News

Summit Design Wraps Up Renovations on Old Town Mainstay

General contractor Summit Design + Build recently completed the interior and exterior renovation of the Fireplace Inn, a restaurant and bar in the North Side’s Old Town neighborhood. The renovation was the first since 2010, and added new spaces for dining and entertaining.

The Fireplace Inn has been a self-proclaimed neighborhood institution since it opened in 1968 at 1448 N. Wells St. The restaurant currently occupies two adjacent buildings at the same site.

The majority of Summit’s work was in the southern building, which was added to the restaurant in 1999. The renovation of the space totaled 2,480 square feet and included:

• Adding new bathrooms in the lower level
• Construction of a new bar with custom millwork
• Build-out of a second floor dining and event space
• A new exterior façade and paint

IPSA Architecture & Design served as the project architect for the Fireplace Inn project.

See the article on www.connect.media

Jan 23
Love1

Summit Design + Build featured in RE journals

By News

Summit completes remodel of Old Town mainstay, The Fireplace Inn

General contractor Summit Design + Build, LLC recently completed the interior and exterior renovation of the Fireplace Inn, a restaurant and bar in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood. The renovation was the first since 2010 and added new spaces for dining and entertaining.

The Fireplace Inn has been a neighborhood institution since it opened in 1968 at 1448 N. Wells Street. Today, the restaurant currently occupies two adjacent buildings at the same site. The majority of Summit’s work was in the southern building, which was added to the restaurant in 1999. The restaurant remained operational during construction, which was completed in November.

IPSA Architecture & Design served as the project architect for the Fireplace Inn project. The renovation of the space totaled 2,480 square feet and included adding new bathrooms in the lower level, the construction of a new bar with custom millwork, the build-out of a second floor dining and event space and a new exterior façade and paint.

See the article on rejournals.com

Dec 30
Love0

Summit Completes Renovation of Fireplace Inn

By News

The Old Town Institution Gets First Renovation Since 2010

Summit Design + Build, LLC, recently completed the interior and exterior renovation of the Fireplace Inn, a restaurant and bar in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood. The renovation was the first since 2010 and added new spaces for dining and entertaining.

The Fireplace Inn has been a self-proclaimed neighborhood institution since it opened in 1969 at 1448 N. Wells Street. Today, the restaurant currently occupies two adjacent buildings at the same site. The majority of Summit’s work was in the Southern building, which was added to the restaurant in 1999.

The renovation of the space totaled 2,480 square feet and included:

  • Adding new bathrooms in the lower level

  • Construction of a new bar with custom millwork

  • Build-out of a second floor dining and event space

  • New exterior façade and paint

IPSA Architecture & Design served as the project architect for the Fireplace Inn project. The restaurant remained operational during construction, which was completed in November.

Fireplace Inn Imagery

Dec 30
Love0
WeWork Tampa Common area

Benefits of Design-Build

By Industry Insights

The Benefits of Design-Build and How Summit Excels 

As the industry’s fastest growing project delivery method, design-build is gaining traction as a cost and time-efficient way to build sustainable, high-performance buildings.

With design-build construction spending anticipated to grow 18% annually, reaching more than $320 billion by 2021, design-build is on track to represent up to 44% of total U.S. construction spending within two years, reports FMI in its “Design-Build Utilization Combine Market Study.”

Unlike traditional approaches where the facility is first designed by the architect who then hands the plans over to the contractor, design-build brings the full project team together at the onset to simultaneously design and build the facility in an integrated fashion. This enables the architects to benefit from the contractor’s expertise and more efficiently deliver the final product.

“Contractors are able to provide insights into costs, permitting, materials and constructability from the get go which helps eliminate unforeseen costs and delays,” explains Adam Miller, President, Summit Design + Build.

For example, by engaging the subcontractors early on, long-lead materials can be identified and purchased directly from suppliers, thereby shortening the project schedule.

“I think more and more developers are realizing that they get single-source responsibility, minimized costs and streamlined schedules utilizing a design-build approach,” he adds.

In fact, 58% of owners surveyed in FMI’s study anticipate using design-build in the next five years and 67% predict that design-build will continue to increase.

Design-Build Advantages

A typical design-build project begins with the building owner, general contractor/construction manager, architect, engineers, subcontractors and suppliers collaborating together at one table. Working as a full integrated team, there are no adversarial conditions as the group shares responsibility for the project. In this manner, any complexities and challenges can be more efficiently addressed as the expertise of each party is optimally leveraged.

With overlapping design and construction tracks, projects are typically expedited and the collaborative process results in few, if any change orders, and much less litigation.

“When you employ a design-build approach, you get rapid delivery, out of the box solutions, more transparency, reduced project and opportunity costs, and total collaboration,” reiterates Miller.

More Statistics

Offering additional insights into design-build performance levels, the Construction Industry Institute and Charles Pankow Foundation funded researchers at the University of Boulder Colorado and the University of Florida to revisit a CII Comparison of U.S. Project Delivery System report from 1998. Utilizing a sample of 212 contemporary projects, the results confirmed that 20 years later, design-build that continues to deliver projects in a timely, cost-effective manner.

In the updated report, design-build was found to deliver projects 61% faster than construction manager at risk (CMR) and 102% faster than design-bid-build (DBB). In addition, design-build projects experience 2.4% less cost growth than CMR and 3.8% less than DBB.

Schedule Performance Comparison

The Selection

As design-build projects gain momentum in a variety of building types and regions, the selection of project delivery methods is ultimately determined by a number of variables. Offering some insight here, in FMI’s survey of building owners, 48% named the delivery schedule as having the greatest influence, 46% identify owner’s goals and objectives, 45% listed contractor experience and 41 percent believe that initial cost is the most influential factor.