December 12, 2022

Pro-bono design team transforms Chicago homeless shelter and changes lives

Article in I and S Design with Purpose Magazine

“If there have ever been doubts that design can have meaningful impact in people’s lives, projects like The Harbour in the northern suburbs of Chicago definitively put them to rest.” Architecture by OKW.

December 8, 2022

T2 starts teardown of Mount Prospect fire, police building for six-story project

Article in The Real Deal

“Work has begun to raze the former Mount Prospect fire and police headquarters where Wheaton-based T2 Capital Management … will replace the former municipal building with a six-story, 88-unit project.”

November 23, 2022

Great Lakes Coca-Cola featured in Office Snapshots

Feature in Office Snapshots

The online magazine that collects the best offices from around the world published our reimagining of a bottling facility in Alsip, Illinois. Everyone deserves great design, and we appreciate Office Snapshots spreading the love.

October 25, 2022

New plan for One Winnetka luxury apartment complex has fewer floors, larger units

Article in The Chicago Tribune

“The plan, which has gone through several iterations since 2015, took previous council comments into consideration and removed the fifth floor and one bedroom unit options from previous designs.”

October 19, 2022

First impressions of revised One Winnetka design: ‘This is a great start’

Article in The Record North Shore

“Nearly every member of the Winnetka Village Council shared positive feedback during the council’s meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 18, when a revised proposal was introduced to trustees.” Architecture and design by OKW.

September 8, 2022

Skokie aims for downtown makeover with hotel project

Article in The Real Deal

“The village has been great to work with. They value finding a partnership that works, not just to see the development but to see it done right.” - Mark Meyer, managing partner and founder of E&M. Architecture by OKW.

September 2, 2022

Skokie officials hope hotel will revitalize downtown Skokie

Article in Chicago Tribune

“Construction is starting on a 143-room hotel, with 200 parking spaces plus 100 public parking spaces, that officials hope will boost downtown Skokie.” Architecture by OKW.

August 24, 2022

Why one mall on the Magnificent Mile is thriving while others fight to survive

Article in Crain’s Chicago Business

The six-story mall is flourishing as many other properties fight to survive amid an unforgiving downturn that has pushed up the Mag Mile’s retail vacancy rate to nearly 29%. The vacancy rate at 900 North is just 2%. Architecture by OKW.

August 23, 2022

Groundbreaking ceremony marks start of new multi-family development

Announcement from T2 Capital Management

Our first project in the state of Alabama, the 336-unit multifamily development Vista at Councill Square, has officially broken ground.

August 18, 2022

AIA Chicago announces finalist designs for the Roberta Feldman Architecture for Social Justice Award

Announcement from AIA Chicago

“The winners, as selected by an esteemed jury of design experts, will be announced on September 12 at Pritzker Pavilion during DESIGNIGHT 2022, AIA Chicago’s first free and public architecture celebration.”

August 1, 2022

Ray Billows: From Racine Country Club caddy to 'hometown hero' and New York amateur golfing legend

Article in The Journal Times

A look into the namesake of our driving lodge and hospitality destination at the Racine Country Club, with a few images of the interior.

July 29, 2022

Chicago youth shelter has new home with help from Designs for Dignity

Blogpost in Grand Rapids Chair Co.

This blogpost provides a brief, but informative spotlight on one of our most recently completed projects. Special for many reasons, The Harbour is a labor of love.

July 1, 2022

Your ultimate guide to luxury living in Chicago

Article in CS Modern Luxury

The editors of CS Modern Luxury picked the best of 2022 for sophisticates in Chicago. Their favorite Hotel Restaurant was Adorn, a crucial piece of the reimagining of 900 N Michigan and the Four Seasons hotel, in which OKW collaborated with Rottet Studio.

July 1, 2022

Elk Grove Village awards contract to form Arlington Heights-Higgins RFP

Article in Journal & Topics

“The contract, awarded at the Tuesday, June 21 Elk Grove Village board meeting, charges OKW Architects with the “development of documents for solicitation of developer proposals and administration of a process to review and evaluate proposals related to the proposed redevelopment of village-owned property at the southeast corner of Arlington Heights Road and Higgins Road.”.”

June 28, 2022

The best restaurant architects in Chicago (2022)

Article in Chicago Architects

OKW made the short-list of Chicago Architects’ finest in restaurant design thanks to such acclaimed projects as Time Out Market, Lirica, Aster Hall, and Eataly.

June 9, 2022

New residential development coming to the Councill Park Block

Article in EIN Presswire

Our multifamily prowess is expanding into new territory, namely Alabama. With Huntsville going through a development boom, we’re looking to help our client capture some of the city’s recent success through design.

June 9, 2022

Little Village food pantry expands indoors, serving 30K people per week

Article in ABC7 Eyewitness News

Little Village fresh market opens with community center

Article in WGN9

Free Food Pantry Designed Like A Grocery Store Unveiled In Little Village: ‘Hope Has A New Address’

Article in Block Club Chicago

OKW worked in a pro bono capacity to bring this crucial food pantry to life. The original pantry’s modest goal of feeding 1,000 people per week has ballooned to 30,000 thanks to partnerships, grants, and a impassioned pursuit by New Life Centers to do good for a community.

April 28, 2022

Harbour House, suburban homeless shelter for teens once in danger of closing, opens new chapter

Article in CBS News

“‘To make it to this point and see all the people who are arriving to help set it up, it's an incredible feeling,’ said executive director Melody Rose.” This has been a truly special project and we can’t wait to see it open its doors.

April 22, 2022

Permits issued for 1100 W Randolph

Article in Urbanize Chicago

“With a design by OKW Architects, the development will produce a three-story mixed-use building. Measuring a total of 30,000 square feet, the project will host two floors of retail space, with the top floor home to office space.”

Three-story commercial building coming to 1100 W Randolph Street in West Loop

Article in Chicago YIMBY

“OKW Architects, also behind other Randolph Street projects like 932 W Randolph Street and 1371 W Randolph Street, is behind the design..”

April 12, 2022

1371 W Randolph Street receives facade treatment in West Loop

Article in Chicago YIMBY

“Rising 85 feet, this West Loop project is the latest addition to the Chicago Journeyman Plumbers Local 130 UA Campus, developed in partnership between the union and Chicago Title & Trust Company.”

March 22, 2022

Affordable housing development aimed at helping ex-prisoners planned near Chicago Midway International Airport

Article in The Real Deal

March 17, 2022

Construction on affordable housing near Chicago Midway could begin this year

Article in Chicago Business Journal

“The ambitious $28 million Halim A. Flowers Center, which is named after a former inmate who was released from prison in 2019, will be developed by Chicago-based the G Carter Group and P3 Markets on four acres at 4829 S. Kedzie Ave., according to Brittini Flatley, founder and CEO of the G Carter Group.” Architecture by OKW.

March 1, 2022

932 W Randolph Street Redevelopment Crosses Finish Line In West Loop

Article in Chicago YIMBY

The update machine at Chicago YIMBY stops by our project at 932 W Randolph for what feels like one of their last visits. The project is largely complete, with interior work commencing and tenant buildouts following.

January 27, 2022

New Golf Mill concept calls for demolition of circular tower, ‘wheeled’ water feature, multi-level residential

Article in Journal & Topics

“During the mayor’s address to members of the Niles Chamber of Commerce, detailed concept renderings were projected behind him showing new elements including a large water wheel feature reminiscent of the shopping center when it was an outdoor mall. The development would include residential and greenspace.” Planning and design by OKW.