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Oct 12
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Eli’s Cheesecake Expansion Completion

By News

Eli’s Cheesecake Expansion Completion

Chicago’s favorite cheesecake just completed the nearly 42,000 sf warehouse expansion

Summit Design + Build celebrated the ’cheesecake’ cutting for the Eli’s Cheesecake Bakery Expansion with A 1,000-pound cheesecake. With the 42,000 sf expansion, the facility now has over 100,000 sf of production space, allowing increased bakery operations, additional production and packaging lines, and warehousing. The groundbreaking was attended by the Governor of Illinois, JB Pritzker, Marc Schulman (President, Eli’s Cheesecake), Tim Crane (CEO, Wintrust Financial), Robert Martwick (Senator, State of Illinois), Nicholas Soposato (Alderman, 38th Ward), Adam Miller (President, Summit Design + Build, General Contractor), Michael Fassnacht (CEO, World Business Chicago).

Eli’s Cheesecake has made it their mission to give back to the community for three generations, and the legacy they are creating continues to multiply. From mentoring and training individuals with special needs to be able to work in the warehouse, to providing jobs for asylum-seekers and immigrants, Eli’s Cheesecake goes above and beyond to expand the impact they are leaving on the world, especially in the city of Chicago. With an immense amount of support from local state and government officials, as well as residents of the 38th Ward and Chicago, Eli’s Cheesecake now has the ability to expand its reach and demonstrate what it means to a company that works for the community.

This expansion brings the current footprint up to 105,000 sf of warehouse space, almost doubling their current production and staffing capabilities, and upping their personnel by 50 already.

Michael Aragona served as the original project architect for the initial construction of the bakery in the 1980s, as well as the present expansion in 2023.

About Summit Design + Build

Summit Design + Build, LLC is a provider of full-service general contracting, construction management and design/build construction services for the commercial, industrial and residential markets. Headquartered in Chicago’s Fulton Market and with regional offices in Tampa, Florida, North Carolina, and Austin, Texas, Summit Design + Build has been involved in the design and construction of over 400 buildings and spaces totaling more than 10 million square feet over the firm’s 18-year history.

About Eli’s Cheesecake

43 years ago, Eli Schulman declared cheesecake to be the signature dessert at his legendary Chicago steakhouse, Eli’s The Place For Steak. It was there that he dreamed up a new way to make cheesecake. His unconventional fast and hot baking method resulted in the “Chicago-style” cheesecake, famous for its rich creamy texture and cookie crust. A third-generation family-owned business, inspired by Eli’s Founder, Eli Schulman’s words of wisdom, “Charity will never bust you” and “Treat others as if you are others.” What began in his restaurant’s kitchen has grown into one of the country’s largest cheesecake and dessert bakeries, employing over 250 individuals.

Oct 11
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Adaptive Reuse For Burdeen’s Jewelry, Ltd.

By News

Adaptive Reuse For Burdeen’s Jewelry, Ltd.

Luxury 2-Story Jewelry Store Coming to Oak Street in the Iconic Gold Coast

Summit Design + Build recently began the adaptive reuse for Burdeen’s Jewelry, located on Oak Street in the Historic Gold Coast. The project consists of the interior build-out for Burdeen’s, as well as two luxury flagship stores situated on either side.

Located in the heart of Chicago’s luxury shopping destination, as well as steps away from Lake Michigan and Oak Street Beach, Burdeen’s is the perfect location to visit. The two-story luxury jewelry store will consist of over 10,000 sf of retail space. It will share an outer structure and shell with Panerai and IWC. Some of the luxurious features include a watchmaking studio, a transparent glass floor, and a large skylight to illuminate the space with natural sunlight. Burdeen’s is expected to be completed in the beginning of 2024.

This will be the fourth location for Burdeen’s Jewelry in the Chicago area. Hirsch MPG is serving as the project architect.

Burdeen’s Gold Coast Imagery.

Aug 15
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Summit Breaks Ground with Farm Foundation

By News

Summit Breaks Ground on Farm Foundation’s New Innovation and Education Center

Summit Design + Build recently broke ground on Farm Foundation’s Innovation and Education Center, located on the Casey family farm in Libertyville, IL. With a deep family history situated on this property, Farm Foundation pledges to keep the Casey name living in the form of educating people about the importance of agricultural systems in our country, as well as inspiring the next generation to create a lasting effect on our planet.

The project was officially kicked off with a ceremonial groundbreaking on Friday, August 18th attended by Tony Casey & Dr. Annette Barnes, Casey Family representatives, Adam Miller, President, Summit Design + Build, Todd Price, Vice President, Farm Foundation IEC, Shari Rogge-Fidler, President & CEO, Farm Foundation,  Dan Basse, Chairman, Farm Foundation Board of Directors, Brad Schneider, Congressman of Illinois 10th district, Donna Johnson, Mayor of Libertyville, and Kurt Koffey, Vice President, Case IH North America, as well as members of the community.

This 14-acre campus will be home to a modern barn structure that will feature a media room, demonstration kitchen, and office space, as well as house various educational programs aimed to address the critical issues shaping the future of agriculture and our food systems.

Kahler Slater is serving as the project architect, and JLL is serving as the property manager. Project completion is expected in Summer 2024.

About Farm Foundation

Farm Foundation is an accelerator of practical solutions for agriculture. They are a 501(c)(3) non-profit working across the food and ag value chain to build momentum behind meaningful solutions to some of the most important challenges facing farmers and, by extension, the industry as a whole. Their fiercely nonpartisan approach means they are uniquely able to address issues with objectivity and inclusivity, bringing together diverse perspectives from influential people and organizations to discuss and develop solutions. They support food and agriculture by meeting challenges with a relentless dedication to ensuring all the right stakeholders are involved and engaged in building something for the greater good—providing an agenda-free zone to achieve a shared vision for a better future for food and ag. Farm Foundation moves with speed, purpose and agility to make the greatest impact in the most important areas in the shortest amount of time.

Jul 15
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Summit recently began the build-out of Taverna Toscana

By Florida, News

Upscale Steakhouse and Seafood Restaurant Coming to Bradenton, FL

Summit Design + Build recently began the build-out of Taverna Toscana, a luxury Italian steakhouse and seafood restaurant located in Bradenton, Florida.

Set to be located just minutes away from the river, Taverna Toscana will be situated on the plaza level of the current SUNZ Insurance building. The 10,000 sf restaurant build-out is expected to be completed in the beginning of 2024, and will feature:

  • custom furnishings
  • bar/lounge area
  • open dining area
  • restrooms
  • outdoor patio
  • and a full-service kitchen

Top Chef Fabio Viviani has partnered with BABB Hospitality, as well as entrepreneur Steve Herrig to create this vision.

Barker Nestor Inc. is serving as the project architect.

 

Jul 01
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Summit Completes Interior Alterations for Kvadrat, Inc.

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Summit Design + Build Completes Interior Alterations for Kvadrat, Inc.

Mixed-Use showroom and office space for luxury Danish textile manufacturer

Summit Design + Build has completed the full interior alterations for Kvadrat, Inc., a luxury Danish textile manufacturer that specializes in high-quality fabrics and design products. This space is situated on the ground floor of 1042 W Fulton Market, in the heart of the West Loop’s Fulton Market District.

Kvadrat, Inc.’s new showroom comprises nearly 2000 sf, displaying artistic installations of luxury home décor, as well as providing professional design services. Also included are meeting and office spaces, creating inspiration for those both visiting and working. 

Marquette Companies served as the developer, and BE Architects as the architect for the project.

Apr 11
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Completion of Adaptive Reuse Hotel

By News

Completion of Adaptive Reuse Hotel

Five-story boutique, extended-stay hotel completed in Chicago’s West Loop

Summit Design + Build has completed the gut demolition and renovation of a five-story industrial building into a boutique extended-stay hotel at 1436 Randolph in the West Loop neighborhood of Chicago.

The five-story extended-stay boutique hotel is located on Randolph Street, directly across from Union Park. This project contains 49 apartment-style rooms, consisting of both studios and one-bedrooms. All rooms are fully equipped with kitchens and in-suite laundry, and the building contains a state-of-the-art fitness center for guests to utilize. The ground floor contains both retail and restaurant space.

Marquette Companies served as the developer, and Brininstool + Lynch as the Architect for the project.

Mar 16
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Austin Mixed-use Construction Project Started

By News, Texas

Construction Kicks-off For New Austin Mixed-use Project

Summit Design + Build breaks ground at 2323 S. Lamar

Summit Design + Build has announced the start of a five-story, 179-unit mixed-use project known as 2323 located at 2323 South Lamar Blvd in Austin, TX. The project officially kicked-off with a ceremonial groundbreaking on Thursday, March 2nd. The groundbreaking was attended by Austin’s Mayor Kirk Watson, Adam Miller (President, Summit Design + Build, General Contractor), Doug Hayes (Project Executive, Summit Design + Build, General Contractor), Shamir Trangle (Senior Project Manager, Summit Design + Build, General Contractor), Pearlstone Partners (Developer), and STG Design Group (Architect).

2323 will feature a total of 179 multifamily units, including 2 levels of underground parking which will consist of 288 parking spaces. The ground floor will contain commercial shell space and restaurant shell space, as well as live work units. Amenities will include a central courtyard with an elevated pool, a fitness center, co-working spaces and rooftop lounge.

Located in Austin’s South Lamar neighborhood, just 5 minutes from downtown, residents of 2323 will have access to local shops, restaurants, and hiking/biking trails. Project completion is expected in Spring 2025.

Dec 28
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Florida Construction

By Florida, Industry Insights

Spotlight on Florida Construction

Out of the 15 fastest growing U.S. cities by U.S. News & World Report rankings, Florida dominates with ten spots on that coveted list.

People want to live, work
and play in Florida

As the country’s highest growing state in the last decade with a 14,6% population increase, the fourth highest gross domestic product, pro-business policies, and a streamlined regulatory environment, Florida is a hot-spot of corporate and residential growth.

“I think Florida is going to be the one place where things are not going to slow down,” predicts Victoria Auger, Director of Business Development, Southeast, Summit Design + Build, Tampa.

With no state income tax and all non-Union subcontractors, the process if building in Florida is easier and profitable.

FSU Student Housing – Tallahassee, FL

Summit is proud to
Build in Florida

Supporting growth in the Sunshine State, Summit has honed in on Tampa and surrounding west coast cities, building apartment complexes, restaurants, gyms, industrial facilities, and rehabilitating Hurricane-damaged properties such as Ocean Point Suites in the Florida Keys.

Summit’s “reputation as complex construction experts and their depth of experience means they offer their clients a fresh approach and out-of-the-box solutions,” wrote Mark Buckshon in a Florida Construction News article.

Sep 27
Love1

Austin Texas Construction

By Industry Insights, Texas

Spotlight on Austin, Texas Construction

As the nation’s most highly invested city, business is booming in Austin, Texas. Taking the #1 spot from Greater Los Angeles for the most preferred U.S. market, per CBRE’s 2021 investor survey, scores of companies are re-relocating to the Lone Star State’s Capital.

“Silicon Hills”

Fortune 500 tech companies like Facebook, Tesla, Apple, Dell, IBM, and Samsung are turning Austin into the new Silicon Valley, renamed “Silicon Hills” in reference to Austin’s spot in Texas Hill Country.

Folks are also attracted to the laid-back lifestyle, universities, music and tech festivals, and conferences like South by Southwest (SXSW) and Austin City Limits.

Luring companies with its pro-business/lack of red tape philosophy, CommercialEdge reported in May that Austin is currently leading the country in new office developments, representing 7% of the nation’s office construction total pipeline with 10.3 million sq.-ft. of office space under construction. And this is for a city with less than 1 million people per the 2020 U.S. Census.

In addition to current construction projects even more companies are eyeing the city, including those from the industrial, manufacturing, e-commerce, and food sectors.

To help design and construct these projects, AEC firms like Summit Design + Build are opening up shop in Austin.

Austin Housing Crunch

While the growth is exciting, it’s not without its challenges. In addition to placing a strain on the city’s infrastructure, the city is practically out of office space and there’s a housing shortage.

“Companies want to be here, but getting their labor force here is difficult. Real estate prices have increased tremendously and we can’t build fast enough,” states Amber Autumn, Director of Business Development, Summit Design + Build, Austin. “Condos can sell out in a matter of hours.”

To help spur residential development, the city has set up an interesting business model where development companies coming in qualify for certain tax breaks, but they are also required to build multi-family housing projects.

Summit is about to break ground on two new construction condominium projects – 4315 S. Congress and 1619 South 1st St.

4315 S. Congress, Congress Lofts at St. Elmo, is strategically located in one of Austin’s fastest growing neighborhoods. Joining developer Intracorp USA and architects Pappageorge Haymes and Urban Foundry, Summit is building 148 warehouse style residential lofts with an art-filled lobby, library lounge, courtyard, pool, and outdoor kitchen. The building will also feature 3,800 square feet of office space.

The 4-story multi-family, mixed use 1619 South 1st St. will offer 35 residential units, ground floor retail, a pool and gym, designed by Sixthriver and developed by Chameleon Companies.

Autumn explains that generally speaking, condos pose a more complicated business model, complex delivery methodology, and more liability. Consequently, many contractors shy away from these undertakings, but not Summit Design + Build.

“Building condo buildings are for the brave, strong, and highly skilled, as they add additional risk, and require more attention to details. With an abundance of happy clients, we know our formula works,” remarks Autumn.

That said, material shortages, supply chain bottlenecks, and skilled labor shortages impacting every industry and every locale are affecting Austin as well.

“It’s important to have a team dedicated to advance procurement, and the ability to make value engineering pivots,” advises Autumn. “With so many materials not available, design assist and design build are the only delivery methods that work right now.”

Major Austin Construction Projects

Despite these hurdles, major construction activity is ongoing. Trammel Crow recently completed the 36-story Indeed Tower downtown and the 814,081 square-foot Google Tower is set to become the metro’s tallest office skyscraper.

The University of Texas Austin recently opened its new Gensler-designed 15,000+ seat Moody Center, a multi-purpose arena for the men’s and women’s UT basketball teams, concerts and events.

Under construction, Sixth and Guadalupe will be the first mixed-use high-rise in Austin with more than a million square feet of office, residential, retail, and outdoor space inside one building. The 66-story high rise will contain 589,112 square feet of Class A office space and 349 residences.

Another mega-development, East Village, is a 425-acre, $1 billion mixed-use property developing 810,000 square feet of office space, three hotels, 466 single-family homes, 2,000 multifamily units, a 1.5-acre park, and around 400,000 square feet of retail and entertainment space.

In addition, Uptown ATX is a 66-acre area with 7 million square feet of office, multifamily, retail and hotel, and a new Metro Rail Station under development.

No Sign of Slowing Down

As all types of growth continue in the Texas State Capitol, it will be important for companies and developers to select the right partners to help them develop their offices, multi-family residential, industrial projects, and more. Working with experienced designers and contractors with familiarity with the area will be one of the best ways to accomplish this.

About the author

Barbara Horwitz-Bennett is a seasoned architectural journalist, covering the design and construction industry for the past 20+ years. She writes for numerous industry magazines and creates content for AEC firms and product manufacturers.

Aug 25
Love1

Bakery Expansion Kicks off for Eli’s Cheesecake

By News

Bakery Expansion Kicks off for Chicago Icon Eli’s Cheesecake

Dessert maker adding 42,000 sf to existing 62,000 sf Northwest Chicago Facility

Summit Design + Build has kicked-off construction at Eli’s Cheesecake in Chicago, IL. The Chicago-based cheesecake and dessert company is adding a 42,000 sf addition to its existing 62,000 sf facility. The addition marks the first expansion to the facility since being built in 1995.

The project was officially kicked-off with a ceremonial ground “baking” on Tuesday, July 26th, attended by the Schulman Family, Adam Miller, President – Summit Design + Build, Michael Aragona, Joel Friedland – Brit Properties, Juliana Stratton – Illinois Lt. Governor, Sylvia Garcia – Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, Xochitl Flores – Bureau Chief, Economic Development – Cook County, Paul Goodrich, Chief Operating Officer – City of Chicago, Katherine Blonski, – Chief of Staff for 38th Ward Alderman Nicholas Sposato and Ben Van Vlerah, Commercial Regional Manager – Huntington National Bank, as well as Eli’s Cheesecake employees and numerous community members. The 42,000 sf addition also comes as Eli’s Cheesecake is celebrating its 42nd year of business.

The new addition will wrap around the west side and south side of the existing Eli’s Cheesecake building and will include interior spaces for general bakery use, general storage, bakery processing and a new mezzanine. The existing facility will remain open during construction.

Michael Aragona is serving as the project architect, he also served as the architect for the original facility in 1995.