Entry Name Development of the Year Oxford Capital Group, LLC. Nominee John Rutledge - President, Founder, CEO [email protected] Executive Summary: Essex on the Park is the first new building to be constructed along the landmark South Michigan Avenue Streetwall since 1958. Rising 620 feet on the site of a former parking garage, which was a noticeable “gap in the wall”, it now stands as the tallest building on Michigan Avenue South of the Chicago River. The 56-story mixed-use tower features 479 luxury apartments and unique amenities including SX Sky Bar Nightclub, the expansive 4 story glass Winter Garden pool/lounge area, state of the art fitness center, chef’s kitchen, and cocktail lounge. The development also included the transformative redevelopment of the adjacent historic Essex Inn hotel into the new 4.5 star luxury lifestyle, 275 room Hotel Essex. Oxford Capital Group’s overall $260+ million development adds density and vibrancy to a formerly underutilized parcel, and catalyzed the rapid ongoing redevelopment south of the River. Together with Hotel Essex, EOTP is a lifestyle development/redevelopment with a innovative approach of infusing hospitality into residential living. Hotel visitors can visit SX Sky Bar and residents can enjoy 24-hour concierge service from the hotel, access to the Grant Park Bistro, and ready accommodations for visitors. EOTP is also Chicago’s first WELL certified residential building, designed to help improve residents’ wellness and build a healthier community. It is also LEED certified. The Project has been highly successful despite significant new supply in the South Loop and throughout the city. The apartments have leased up significantly faster than originally projected and are projected to reach full occupancy by May 2020 after opening in March 2019. In an effort to do its part in addressing the cities affordable housing challenges, Oxford proactively included a component of affordable housing units in the community. The complex entitlement process involved extensive dialogue with the Commission on Chicago Landmarks and Chicago’s Department of Planning and Development, as careful consideration was given to the effect of a new contemporary building in the landmark district. Oxford and its team thoughtfully designed the massing and articulation of the curtain wall-clad tower and base to maintain the scale of the historic streetwall. The project was challenging to finance given the size, complexity, and volatile capital market conditions at the time, but Oxford was able to leverage its reputation as a sophisticated financier and its strong investment and development track record to attract institutional capital to the development. The project was also difficult to build as the site was tight and narrow, bordered by existing buildings to the north and south, Michigan Avenue to the east, and a small alley to the west. Oxford and its development team came up with a creative approach to the site’s unique logistical challenges including setting the concrete pump on 8th Street and pumping concrete through the open hotel. Another highly unique feature of the building that posed unique design and engineering challenges was the Winter Garden, a 50’ amenity section built with Nanawall and glass spanning four floors (L7-L11) which houses an indoor/outdoor pool/lounge/grill area. Essex on The Park 1 Essex On The Park 2 - SX Essex On The Park 3 - Apartment Interior Essex On The Park 4 Entry Name Development of the Year McCaffery and Hines Nominee McCaffery- 176 N Racine Ave, Suite 200, Chicago IL 60607 312-944-3777 Hines- 444 West Lake Street Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60606 312-419-4900 Executive Summary: Description: Since opening in April 2019, Lincoln Common has quickly become a beloved destination, a place for the entire Lincoln Park community to gather. The vibrant 420MM mixed-used development, located at Lincoln, Fullerton, and Halsted, in the heart of one of Chicago’s most picturesque neighborhoods, revitalizes the former Children’s Memorial Hospital site which stood vacant for several years after the hospital’s relocation. The LEED-Silver certified development spans 6.6 acres and is comprised of 140,000 SF of retail, two 20-story apartment towers offering 538 units, and a 5-story office building. More than one acre of public spaces welcome neighbors, including the central plaza with dramatic architectural trellis, memorial garden and new children's playground. Lincoln Common was designed to integrate into the existing neighborhood. The apartment towers are set back from the street to reduce presence in the low-rise community. Retail storefront elevations and materials are varied to reflect the existing streetscape. To maintain a connection with the history of the site as well as contextual relevancy within the community, historic buildings and facades were renovated for adaptive reuse. Success: The Apartments at Lincoln Common leased quickly, achieving 87% leased status at year-end 2019. Lincoln Common has attracted national retailers such as Equinox, Velvet Taco, Philz Coffee, Pharmaca, Verve Wine, Chase Bank, and Compass; regional retailers such as Kohler Waters Spa and Athletico, and local players Dearborn Denim, Blowout Junkie and Play2Day. With this thoughtfully curated retail mix, Lincoln Common is living up to its promise of becoming the new crossroads of Lincoln Park. Complexity: Lincoln Common is among the most complex projects ever undertaken by either McCaffery or Hines, with the team holding over 70 community meetings throughout the design process. With each meeting, modifications were made to accommodate community requests, ranging from reducing traffic on Fullerton to incorporating affordable housing. The development team worked closely with community groups, the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, the Alderman, and countless others to meet the goals of all parties in a manner respectful of the existing neighborhood fabric. Based on extensive feedback from many stakeholders, the team along with architects SOM and Antunovich Associates, incorporated multi-family, office and retail uses, public-way improvements, historic preservation and affordable housing into the project. Impact: Throughout the design and zoning process, the development team gave thoughtful consideration to how best serve the Lincoln Park neighborhood. The inclusion of 54 ARO units created an affordable option for individuals and families in Lincoln Park - the first new affordable housing built in the ward in 35 years. The central plaza trellis, a $1.0 million public artwork, has become a new landmark for the neighborhood. Event programming such as Silent Yoga, Fall Festival and Movie Nights are developing a new sense of community amongst the neighbors. During demolition, 100% of the concrete from the hospital complex was recycled onsite as back-fill and 97% of all other materials were recycled, diverting a significant amount of material from landfills, resulting in environmental benefits and 12,000 fewer truck trips to the site. Lincoln Common - Penthouse Lincoln Common - Lobby Lincoln Common - Boiler House Lincoln Common - Aerial Entry Name Development of the Year Related Midwest Nominee 350 W. Hubbard, Suite 300 Chicago, IL 60654 Abbie Allardt Marketing Associate (312) 595-7400 [email protected] Executive Summary: Located just steps from Lake Michigan in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood, One Bennett Park is a 70-story ultra-luxury residential tower designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects (RAMSA) and developed by Related Midwest. Home to 69 condominiums and 279 apartments, the Art-Deco-inspired, limestone- clad structure evokes old-world charm with its elegantly framed oversized windows, custom ornamental metalwork, and two grand motor courts. With an emphasis on custom design and craftsmanship, the tower includes ornamental metalwork with a motif that runs along the limestone. The same motif is repeated in metalwork found in interior amenity spaces and in select condominium residences. Located on floors 41 through 66, the condominiums offer two- to four-bedrooms that live like single family homes. With careful consideration given to the symmetry, proportion and grace of each home and its flow of light and space, these gracious homes include a variety of formal and informal living areas. The apartments, ranging in size from 905 to 3,323 square feet and located on floors 4 through 39, feature one- to four-bedroom floor plans also designed by RAMSA. One Bennett Park’s strong market performance is bolstered by sustained leasing activity resulting in the building being 70% leased and robust condominium sales, marked by a recent slate of closings, totaling over $100M. Intended as a gift to Streeterville, Bennett Park is a 2-acre public park created in conjunction with the residential tower. Designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates – landscape architect for the Brooklyn Bridge Park, Maggie Daley Park and the future Obama Presidential Center – Bennett Park features abundant native landscaping; a central lawn bowl; a children’s playground; two dog runs; meandering pathways; and a shady grove with seating. Designed for the highest standards of technological performance, wellness and energy efficiency, One Bennett Park achieved LEED Silver certification. The slim 70-story structure incorporated a number of innovative engineering principles in its design and construction. To alleviate lateral sway from wind at high altitudes, the building employs a large slosh tank damper on the top floors