Elm Tower— Chicago

Development Team
OWNER: JDL Development Corp., Chicago
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Tishman Construction Corp. of Illinois, Chicago
ARCHITECTURE/ENGINEERING: A. Epstein and Sons International Inc., Chicago
ELECTRICAL: Inland Electric, Shorewood, Ill.
HVAC/MECHANICAL: Advance Mechanical Systems Inc., Mount Prospect, Ill.
PLUMBING: Frank's Mechanical, Elk Grove Village, Ill.
FIRE PROTECTION: Alliance Fire Protection, Lake Forest, Ill.
PRECAST: Gate-Bluegrass Precast Inc., Winchester, Ky.

The exterior of the Art Deco-style Elm Tower condominium belies the challenges contained within the 16-story structure.

The goals of the elegant design included using cost-effective and durable materials. In addition, buyers could customize floor plans.

Fitting into a Neighborhood

Because Elm Tower is located amid turn-of-the-century townhouses and cooperatives, the exterior design was vitally important. An architectural precast skin was developed to permit greater detail in the facade.

All project entities were able to integrate the design into the structural system by coordinating the use of the pre-cast skin during the preconstruction period.

The option to customize units required a great deal of coordination among the owner, architect and general contractor early in the process.

The jury said, "This building reflects the neighborhood it was built in. Doesn't stand out, which is a good characteristic in this case."

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