Woodside Prairie Apartments for Autistic Adults

Apartments for Adults with Autism Underway

Rendering of a six-unit supportive care building.

Apartments for Adults with Autism Underway

McShane was selected by repeat client Impact Seven to build Woodside Prairie, a supportive living community with 32 apartments for adults with Autism in Grafton, Wisconsin.

In March, McShane completed construction of The Trotta Apartments, a 126-unit apartment residence in Middleton, Wisconsin, for Impact Seven.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Impact Seven on another project,” stated Alison Gorham, Director of Wisconsin Market at McShane. “Our last project together was a great success from all angles, and we look forward to coming together to provide affordable, supportive housing that will help adults with Autism to thrive.”

Positioned on a 6.5-acre site, the community will integrate four six-unit supportive care buildings and two four-unit townhomes. Additionally, a 3,700-square-foot activity building will contain a community kitchen, craft space, computer center, and fitness area for all residents to use. There will also be a paved outdoor walking path on site.

A consultant was engaged to help select interior finishes that are conducive to a healthy environment for Autistic adults. Additionally, the project was designed with sustainability in mind to achieve Wisconsin Green Built Homes certification.

Completion of Woodside Prairie is scheduled for October 2023. New Horizon Ventures is the architect.

2022 ABC Illinois Excellence in Construction Awards – Industrial

Abt Electronics was the recipient of ABC Illinois’ 2022 Excellence in Construction Award in the industrial category.

Founded in 1936, Abt Electronics is the largest independently owned, single-location retailer of electronics, appliances and home goods in the United States. With 1,600 employees, the business is anchored by a 100,000-square-foot showroom in Glenview, Illinois, and serves a customer base spread over four states.

Abt contracted McShane Construction Company to add 430,000 square feet to their existing warehouse and showroom facility in Glenview. The addition incorporates two three-story office blocks along with 407,000 square feet of warehouse space. The single-story warehouse offers a 32′ clear height, 39 semi-truck docks and 144 box truck positions. The expansion more than doubled Abt’s warehouse space, enabling the company to improve their efficiency by having less stock-outs. The additional space also allows them to expand product lines with new items. It is estimated that the expansion will create 100 new jobs for the community.

Abt’s existing facility and showroom remained fully operational throughout construction, so McShane took extra steps and precautionary methods to ensure that construction did not interfere with operations. In the end, the project with a perfect safety record.

2022 ABC Illinois Excellence in Construction Awards – Residential

The Oaks at Algonquin was the recipient of ABC Illinois’ 2022 Excellence in Construction Award in the residential category.

The Oaks at Algonquin is a 166-unit senior living residence in Algonquin. The H-shaped building accommodates independent living, assisted living, and memory care units. Each independent living unit features a full kitchen and assisted living units incorporate a kitchenette with a refrigerator and microwave.

The property offers a vast array of amenities for tenants, including three restaurants, a pub, salon, media lounge, theater, health club, doctor and therapist offices, and a community center with a demo kitchen. Tenants can also enjoy outdoor living space including a rooftop deck and fire pit, grill area, dining patio, memory care garden, and well-landscaped courtyards.

The three-story building features wood frame construction with an exterior of masonry, stone veneer, shake and panel siding and architectural shingles.

The Oaks at Algonquin was designed to be the client’s new product standard. As a result, there was a complete revision of the design and finishes. McShane, the architect and the owner worked closely to evaluate the impact of these new elements and effectively incorporate them. While this involved additional work, it resulted in a fresh new senior living product type that received rave reviews from the residents and community.

2022 ABC Wisconsin Project of Distinction Award

The Trotta Apartments was recognized as one of the most impressive and unique construction projects completed in 2022 in Wisconsin. The development received a Silver Project of Distinction Award from ABC Wisconsin.

The Trotta Apartments is a 126-unit multi-family residence in Middleton, Wisconsin. Positioned on three acres, the development features four stories of wood frame construction atop an underground parking garage. Building amenities include a club room, fitness room, dog wash, fourth-floor common room, and three rooftop decks.

The residence offers a unique blend of rental rates with several apartments designated to accommodate workforce housing for households whose income qualifies.

McShane Construction Company was engaged by Impact Seven, a non-profit housing developer, to provide design-assist construction services for The Trotta Apartments. From concept through completion, McShane worked very closely with both the owner and architect, forming a true partnership between the three firms.

To keep the project within Impact Seven’s budget, McShane performed extensive value engineering before breaking ground, resulting in savings of $600,000. Despite challenges resulting from material delays and labor shortages, McShane delivered the project a month ahead of schedule and $500,000 below budget.

McShane Completes The Enzo at Ariston in Buford, Georgia

Construction is completed at The Enzo at Ariston in Buford, Georgia. McShane Construction Company provided general contracting services for the 265-unit development on behalf of their client, TPA Residential.

“Buford is a great town close to a variety of sightseeing destinations,” commented Scott Hoppa, Senior Vice President & Regional Manager at McShane. “The Enzo will allow residents to take advantage of all that the area has to offer while providing luxury living through extensive amenities and high-end unit finishes.”

Situated on an eight-acre site, The Enzo at Ariston incorporates two four- and five-story wood frame apartment buildings with exteriors of siding and brick, along with a precast parking garage.

The boutique-style community offers resort-like amenities including a heated saltwater swimming pool, an outdoor grilling area and lounge, a 24-hour fitness studio and power gym, an enclosed dog park, and a community lounge with a demonstration kitchen.

Units are offered in one- to three-bedroom open-concept floor plans and boast professional-grade kitchens, granite countertops throughout, luxury vinyl tile flooring and private balconies or patios. Select units are available in a two-story townhome style with a loft bedroom and bathroom.

Niles Bolton Associates provided architectural services for The Enzo at Ariston. For leasing information, visit www.theenzo.com.

McShane Completes Industry Center at Melrose Park

McShane Construction Company provided design-build construction services for three speculative industrial buildings in Melrose Park, Illinois, on behalf of client LBA Logistics. Known as Industry Center at Melrose Park, the new development incorporates a total of 651,617 square feet.

McShane also performed three interior buildouts for a transportation, trucking, and railroad company, a logistics and package delivery company, and a portable storage and moving company.

“We worked with LBA and our design-build partner, Harris Architects, to create modern facilities that provide tenants with everything they need to operate efficiently,” stated Tom Beres, Regional Vice President – Industrial at McShane. “We’re confident that Industry Center at Melrose Park will be a great investment for our client and a great place for the tenants to grow their operations.”

Situated on a 44-acre site, Building 1 offers 130,200 square feet, 38 truck docks, two drive-in doors, 44 trailer stalls, and 151 car parking spaces. Building 2 features 350,248 square feet, 34 truck docks expandable to 71, two drive-in doors, 142 trailer stalls, and 244 car parking spaces. Building 3 provides 171,169 square feet, 18 truck docks expandable to 43, three large 20′ by 20′ drive-in doors, 64 trailer stalls, and 204 car parking spaces. All buildings integrate 36′ clear heights and efficient loading dimensions.

As a design-build project, LBA Logistics engaged McShane before finalizing the design. McShane worked closely with both the client and architect to determine the desired shell layout and building features throughout the design process.

Harris Architects provided architectural services for Industry Center at Melrose Park.

Overcoming Long Lead Times on Industrial Projects

Since the start of the pandemic, our country has battled supply chain issues, with everything from soap to flour in short supply. The first shortage that greatly impacted the construction industry was lumber, as prices skyrocketed to an all-time high. While this primarily affected the multi-family market, as supply chain disruptions continued, it wasn’t long before the industrial market started feeling the effects.

All Regions are Affected

With raw material shortages and production maxed out, no U.S. region has gone untouched. In the Chicago area, we are experiencing shortages of precast, which now has a lead time of up to 18 months. In the Southeast, we are seeing a shortage of stone and cement needed for the concrete mixes. Nationally, we are seeing allocations of roofing and steel products.

Early Planning is Crucial

Though we all hope to see an end to these challenges soon, the reality is that with lead times of more than a year, we will face this for some time still. This makes early and careful planning crucial during pre-construction and construction. It is important to be open and upfront with the client about challenges we expect to face and our plan to overcome them.

Importance of Adaptability

Adaptability is key to maintain a timely completion. We now approach the sequence of construction differently on many projects to ensure that the lack of availability of one material doesn’t delay the entire project. With a shortage of precast, we are seeing projects where all site work and paving, which is normally completed near the end of a project, is completed first. At other projects, we have erected the steel framing before the precast panels were installed. With a dramatic increase in steel prices, we have shifted from using ballasted roof systems to using adhered systems.

Strong Relationships are Key

Our strong relationships with our subcontractors have also been an important factor in the success of our projects. We are often able to secure materials with a letter of intent before a contract is formally issued so that we can get them as early as possible.

At the end of the day, our clients can trust that we will get the job done. The current market conditions don’t make it easy, but our team is equipped to tackle challenges as they come.

Connect with Tom to learn about our industrial construction offerings


Tom Beres, PE
Regional Vice President – Industrial
tberes@mcshane.com
LinkedIn

McShane Breaks Ground on Livano Avondale in Arizona

McShane Construction Company broke ground on Livano Avondale in Avondale, Arizona. The firm was selected by repeat client LIV Development to build the 316-unit luxury apartment residence.

“Located just 15 miles west of Phoenix, Livano Avondale will offer luxury living and unique amenities,” shared Jim Kurtzman, Senior Vice President at McShane. “We’re excited to work with LIV Development again on this beautiful new development.”

The units will boast high-end finishes and features including luxury vinyl tile flooring, granite countertops, tile shower surrounds, and kitchen back splashes.

Amenities will include vehicular gated access, a large play pool area with cabanas and hammock swings, covered barbeque grills and gathering areas, a coffee shop, a sky lounge, and electric vehicle charging stations. An on-site pet center with kennels and an enclosed dog park will allow residents to board their pets.

Positioned on a 14.6-acre site at 11575 W. Roosevelt Street, the development will incorporate three two-story, six three-story, and three four-story wood frame buildings with exteriors of stucco, brick veneer, and fiber cement siding.

Completion of Livano Avondale is scheduled for November 2024. PRDG is the architect.

Apartments for Blind Residents Underway in Chicago

McShane Ashlaur Joint Venture (comprised of McShane Construction Company and Ashlaur Construction) broke ground on The Foglia Residences at The Chicago Lighthouse in Chicago, Illinois, for clients Brinshore Development and The Chicago Lighthouse. The new multi-family development will incorporate 76 affordable units for residents who are blind, visually impaired, disabled, and veterans. The development will be the first Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) building in the nation for the blind community. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on August 25 to mark the start of the project. Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Congressman Danny Davis, and Alderman Walter Burnett, whose support was instrumental in gaining traction for the project, were in attendance.

“The Chicago Lighthouse is a wonderful organization that provides education, employment and specialized services,” commented David Rintz, Regional Vice President – Multi-Family at McShane. “We’re thrilled to partner with Ashlaur and Brinshore to build the organization’s first residential development that will provide safe, affordable and accessible housing for residents who are blind, visually impaired, disabled, or veterans.”

Positioned adjacent to The Chicago Lighthouse’s current center in Chicago’s 27th Ward in the Illinois Medical District, the nine-story structure will feature podium construction with three levels of parking, first-floor retail space, and six levels of units. The exterior will integrate an attractive mix of perforated metal panels, brick veneer, and fiber cement siding. At roof level, there will be back-lit translucent panels symbolizing a lighthouse.

Units will be offered in studio, one-, and two-bedroom floorplans and will provide accessible, independent living for qualifying low-income households. Features will include Energy Star appliances, cultured marble vanities, WaterSense plumbing fixtures, and luxury vinyl plank, carpet, and tile flooring.

Tenant amenities will include a fitness center, community room, and fourth-floor rooftop terrace. Outside, residents will be able to enjoy a courtyard with a dog run and a playground.

To make the residence fully accessible for its tenants, the common areas will offer contrasting colors, lit braille unit signage, handrails on both sides of the corridors, and braille wallpaper.

The development was designed with sustainability in mind to achieve Enterprise Green Communities certification.

Completion of the project is expected for May 2024. LBBA is the architect.

Affordable, Supportive Housing Underway in Elgin

McShane Construction Company and their client, UPholdings, broke ground on Hanover Landing, a 40-unit affordable, supportive housing community in Elgin, Illinois, that will serve vulnerable populations and individuals with disabilities. A groundbreaking ceremony was held at the project site on September 1, 2022, to celebrate the start of the project.

“Hanover Landing will provide permanent supportive housing for a population that is too frequently overlooked in the housing market,” shared Susan Uhlarik, Director of Multi-Family at McShane. “The building’s design and amenities will allow residents to live independently while receiving support services that will help them thrive.”

Located at 711 E. Chicago Street, the three-story wood frame building will integrate an exterior of brick and Hardie panel siding. Units will be offered in one bedroom, one bathroom floor plans and are designed to allow residents to live independently.

Amenities will include a community lounge, computer room, fitness center, laundry facilities, and outdoor space.

Services for residents will include case management, life skill training, and employment assistance.

Hanover Township partnered with UPholdings and the Housing Opportunity Development Corporation on this development to meet the high need for service-enriched housing in the area. Ecker Center for Behavioral Health will serve as the lead service provider and operate an on-site clinic.

Completion of the residence is scheduled for September 2023. Hooker DeJong is the architect.

2022 Best Places to Work in Chicago

McShane Construction Company was recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business as one of the Best Places to Work in Chicago for the fourth year in a row. McShane has built a reputation as a leader in the construction of high-quality industrial, multi-family and commercial facilities. Ranked by ENR among the Top Contractors in the nation, McShane builds success by growing and developing employee careers.

A culture of entrepreneurship makes small project teams very successful. By working collaboratively in three-to-five-person project teams, employees develop best-in-class skills that are sought after by our peers. Our average project size is ideal for developing full-cycle project management skills in just a few short years. Entry-level engineers are given responsibilities early on in all aspects of selling, designing, and constructing projects to quickly develop skills and abilities that rival those of much more experienced project managers at other companies.

McShane to Build 318 Apartment Units in Kennesaw, Georgia

McShane Construction Company was selected by repeat client TPA Residential to build Kennesaw Apartments. Located in downtown Kennesaw, Georgia, the new multi-family residence will offer 318 units and 10,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space as part of a greater mixed-use project that also includes 44 townhomes, a retail outparcel and a linear park space.

“We’re excited to get started on another multi-family project with our partners at TPA Residential,” shared Scott Hoppa, Senior Vice President & Regional Manager at McShane. “Kennesaw Apartments will be a beautiful state-of-the-art development in a great location for tenants.”

Positioned on a 19-acre site, the three- and four-story wood framed building will feature a façade of brick and fiber cement siding. Additionally, there will be a precast parking garage attached to the building. Units will be offered in one to three-bedroom floor plans.

Shared tenant amenities will include two courtyards, an outdoor swimming pool, grilling stations, hammocks, outdoor dining and lounge areas, multiple arbors, a fitness room and a gaming/club room.

Niles Bolton Associates is providing architectural services for Kennesaw Apartments. Completion of the development is expected for August 2024.