Archive Archives: Projects

The 801 Apartments – Oak Park, IL

Oak Park, Illinois’ newest affordable housing development, the 801 Apartments, consists of a single 4-story mixed-use building containing 37 rental apartments. The residential portion is positioned above a ground-floor commercial space, 2 live/work apartments, the building lobby, and a dedicated parking lot for residents.

Notable works by the likes of Frank Lloyd Wright define the village’s reputation, and this rare new construction project is surrounded on all sides by historic 1920s architecture. In the earliest planning stages, brick was selected as the most appropriate material to intermingle the project amongst its vintage neighbors and ensure positive community feedback. By pairing this classic material with rectilinear contemporary forms, the building thoughtfully unites past with present.

A variegated, neutral color palette of cool grey tones was the primary design intent, realized here with a 3-color custom brick blend (“Pewter,” “Platinum”, and “Ash”) perfected through a series of mockups workshopped by our team, the architects at Design Bridge, and developers The Community Builders. Two rows of recessed “Obsidian” black brick above the first floor add additional interest and visually separate the building’s massing by function, while entryways step back from the street into welcoming alcoves lined with warm brown brick.

In opting for a long-format, 2.25″ x 16″ Emperor size from Interstate Brick, the architects were able to create eye-catching horizontality that pays subtle homage to the Midwestern Prairie Style so often associated with Chicago and its surroundings. The larger brick size also allowed the cost-conscious project to remain within budget without sacrificing aesthetics or material quality. Current and future residents, whose fixed incomes determine their eligibility to live here, undoubtedly appreciate the energy-efficiency of their new brick home, as well as its clean, crisp modernity.

This project was an epic, two-year labor of love for our staff, who worked closely with the client to workshop budget-friendly, high quality brick options. We’re proud to be helping create affordable residential buildings that look as beautiful as the impact they make!

This project took home the BEST IN CLASS award in the “Residential Multi-Family” category of the 2022 Brick in Architecture awards!

Visit the apartment complex’s website here.
View a portfolio of images on the architect’s website.
Read about the development here.

LOCATION: 801 S Oak Park Ave, Oak Park, IL 60304

ARCHITECT: Design Bridge
DEVELOPER: The Community Builders
GC: Joseph J. Duffy Co.
MASON: RV Builders Corp
PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: Interstate Brick

320 N Sangamon — Chicago

It was quite exciting to watch the exterior shell of this Fulton Market project at 320 N Sangamon near completion! We supplied a custom blend of three Metro Brick colors (Main Street, Main Street Flashed & Courtyard), as well as a huge variety of special shapes and sizes.

This expansive, 13-story commercial office building adds over 270,000 square feet of leasable space to Chicago’s booming Fulton Market district. Innovative modern design and construction methods led to the project’s LEED Gold certification, but the property also pays homage to the neighborhood’s industrial history with its lofty ceiling heights and distinctive brick exterior. 

Across the façade, translucent volumes of fritted glass and large windows play contrast to faceted precast panels with embedded thin brick. With a location immediately adjacent to three historic properties protected as part of the Fulton Market landmark district, the architects sought a warm masonry color palette that would complement the vintage earth tones of its neighbors. Design choices, such as stepping the tallest floors back from the neighborhood’s main thoroughfare, further harmonize the towering building with its smaller-scale surroundings. 

The complex design required use of a brick manufacturer with wide-ranging production capabilities. Full brick and precast-tolerant thin brick in three different sizes (modular, norman, utility) had to be fabricated, along with corner pieces, and two different degrees of custom angled brick for the pitched frames around each window.

After viewing possible color options, guided by their local distributor, the architects decided upon a project-specific blend of three standard hues. The choice aided the aesthetic of the building in numerous ways, adding eye-catching visual intrigue, minimizing massing, and drawing attention to the stack bond pattern. Technical expertise of plant staff ensured cohesive, seamless color across the multi-faceted production run, while close attention to detail by masons and precasters working on the project helped ensure the blend was realized as the architects intended.

As the sun moves through the sky each day, the undulating brick piers paint triangular shadows across each elevation. Window bays appear recessed as if they were carved out of traditional masonry walls. The final result cleverly reinterprets the look of the neighborhood’s classic warehouses, bringing their core design elements into a new architectural era.  

This project took home a Silver Medal in the “Thin Brick” category of the 2022 Brick in Architecture awards!

LOCATION: 320 N Sangamon St. Chicago, IL 60607

ARCHITECT: Solomon Cordwell Buenz
DEVELOPER: Tishman Speyer
GC: Clark Construction Group
MASON: Bourbon Tile & Marble
PRECASTER: International Concrete Products

PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: Metro Brick

Howe Residence – Chicago

This single-family home in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood was designed for a couple craving a permanent home they could grow old in and pass down to their children. Passionate about architecture and sustainability, the homeowners asked for a light-filled, modern residence with a strong connection to the outdoors and a sense of cozy seclusion.

Balancing these objectives, an L-shaped footprint envelopes the open-plan sanctuary and shelters a yard designed for the enjoyment of the entire family. Brick was selected as the primary building material for its low environmental impact, inherent warmth, and track record of maintenance-free longevity. The choice also beautifully homogenizes the property’s contemporary aesthetic with its many historic, masonry-clad neighbors.

Rising as a series of interlocking rectilinear brick volumes punctuated by large windows, Interstate Brick‘s “Midnight Black” in a 2-1/4” x 16” Emperor size adds a sense of horizontality and texture to each form. Individual bricks dissolve into their overall shapes thanks to the clever use of ultra-dark, pigmented mortar. The most distinctive design element — a brick screen wall along the front façade — creates a layer of privacy between the home and city while casting pools of dappled light inside.

For the screen wall, 2.25 x 12” solid bricks were offset from one another to create a perforation. As the pattern moves across the entrance wall, it solidifies, a look that could only be realized with custom, wedge-shaped bricks tapered on one side. Working closely with our team, Interstate’s factory personnel, and the masons, the architects at D Space were able to solve a number of challenges by ordering special shapes… even incorporating matching thin brick in several key areas.

Carrying the exterior materials indoors allowed for seamless spatial flow. Interior brickwork, including accent walls and a large central fireplace, provides eye-catching visual contrast within the bright and airy rooms. Though the architects had designed brick projects before, this was a unique exercise in exploring its luxuriousness, and celebrating its comforting familiarity.

Each season begets a new study of material transformation through light. In the summertime, long sunbeams ornament the building with dazzling, ever-changing arrays of shadows; plants peek between apertures in the bricks and add patterns of their own. Come wintertime, the home’s velvety textures compliment and contrast with soft piles of snow. No matter the season, this residence is a case study in brickwork done well, and a dream home for its happy residents.

This project took home the BEST IN CLASS award in the “Residential Single-Family” category of the 2022 Brick in Architecture awards!

Read the full case study here.
Check out some more beautiful photos on the architect’s website.

Location: Lincoln Park, Chicago

Architect: D Space Studio
GC: Fraser Construction
Mason: RMF Construction, Inc
Products Supplied: Interstate Brick, Spec Mix mortar

939 W Fulton — Chicago

Many factors influenced Chicago’s rapid growth from frontier settlement to sprawling city, but its effective centralized processing of agriculture is what infamously captured public attention and turned the eyes (and stomachs) of the world to the activities of this Midwestern metropolis. 

Vast quantities of produce and livestock flowed into the city from the fields of the West, forcing construction of large wholesale markets where the goods could be consolidated, sorted, packaged, and distributed for sale. Complementing the work of Chicago’s expansive stockyards, the Fulton Market District emerged around 1850 as an enclave for meatpacking businesses to prepare goods for dispersal citywide and out to the East Coast.

It was in 1917, at the peak of the district’s construction heyday, that 939 W Fulton’s brick edifice was built. Economy Packing Company would call the building home for the better part of the next century, advertising their wares with simple exterior signage reading “Bacon, Sausage Links & Patties, Ham, Corned Beef.” 

In 2015, the city designated the Fulton-Randolph Market District as a protected historic area, including 939 Fulton as a contributing property. Capitalizing on the classification, Economy Packing sold its properties to a developer and moved to a much larger, modern facility. The aging, outdated buildings had hampered business for too long — without loading docks, workers had unloaded trucks of meat with fast-moving forklift teams, often at war with the city’s weather extremes. 

A facade consultant (Revive Architecture) and two architectural firms (Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture for the exterior and Solomon Cordwell Buenz for the interior) embarked on an exhaustive renovation of the two-story brick and timber building, working within landmark guidelines. Damaged structural components had to be repaired and upgraded to withstand the weight of an additional third level and new, vintage-style cornice. A full gut rehab was required to retrofit the building into contemporary office space. Inside and out, the traditional masonry walls needed extensive restoration and infills with in-kind material.

Seeking products that would mimic the original brickwork as closely as possible, the design team turned to our staff for help. Three distinct materials were eventually approved for use on the project. An old-school 8” red brick with smashed vertical-scratch texture, supplied by Ragland Clay Products, was matched to a clean section of the exterior face brick and used to extend the façade vertically. Reclaimed Chicago common brick cut to ½” thickness was supplied for interior applications and later whitewashed — an authentic twin of the building’s now-exposed inner wythe. Lookalike material from  McNear was used elsewhere inside, while products from a third manufacturer can be seen on the alley-facing southern elevation, cladding the back wall of the new top floor as well as the elevator shaft that peeks out above the building’s roofline.

Today, Fulton Market is a thriving neighborhood occupied by tech companies, trendy hotels, forward-thinking businesses, fashionable restaurants, boutiques, and buzzy cocktail bars. At 939 Fulton, pork processing has given way to the offices of  California-based nutrition company Vital Proteins. While industrial entities in the district are now few and far between, thoughtful adaptive reuse projects like this one have preserved its historic atmosphere and remind the community of its storied roots. 

Location: 939 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL

This project took home a Bronze Medal in the “Historic Renovation” category of the 2022 Brick in Architecture awards!

Read more on Curbed Chicago.
See interior photos & read more on Office Envy.
Read more about the interior via Architect Magazine.

Architect: Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture
Facade Consultant: Revive Architecture
Mason: Mark 1 Restoration
Interior: Solomon Cordwell Buenz
Products supplied: Ragland Clay Products (exterior), Chicago Common Reclaimed Brick (interior) and McNear Brick (interior)

 

Kindred Dining — Elmhurst, IL

Take one look at Kindred Dining‘s scrumptious, flame-grilled menus, and you’ll quickly see why their design team created this incredible feature fireplace! We were thrilled to provide downtown Elmhurt’s newest eatery with distinctive masonry for the kitchen’s signature hearth.

While wood-burning fires can easily soar past 1500°F, that heat quickly dissipates when flames are extinguished. Standard clay bricks simply can’t handle those wild temperature fluctuations for long… they’ll begin to crack and fall apart. Instead, fireplaces need to be lined inside with “refractory brick.” This special material can withstand much hotter conditions, and releases that heat much more slowly to avoid the degradation and danger of thermal shock.

We supplied Sandkuhl Clay‘s excellent Alsey Refractories firebrick to this project, which was laid in an attractive herringbone pattern, and framed on either side by our complementary “Clay Buff” reclaimed Chicago common brick.

Of course we recommend you to stop by and enjoy the deliciousness of a steak hot off the grill — but this 24,000 square foot property, extensively renovated and just opened earlier this year — is also one part bar, and one part music and event venue. The beautifully modernized destination offers a diverse array of experiences for western suburbanites, and we hope you check it out soon!

LOCATION: 119 N York St, Elmhurst, IL 60126
ARCHITECT: Coyne Architects
GC: Summit Design + Build
MASON: Brennan Masonry
PRODUCT SUPPLIED:   Sandkuhl Clay, Reclaimed Chicago commons

State Parkway Home — Chicago

Ever wondered how the heck they transport giant systems from LaCantina Doors to the upper floors of Chicago buildings? One answer — with a big crane and a lot of precision!

We caught the crew at Meyer Guild in action delivering custom sliding windows to the third-floor of this Gold Coast multifamily building, where the homeowners converted their existing covered outdoor patio area into a four seasons room by installing these awesome units on all three sides of the space. Seeking to replicate the design of the fenestration one floor above, the new windows were specially fabricated to have matching SDL (“simulated divided light”) bars.

In frosty & snowy weather like today, the thermally-controlled, weather-resistant panels can be shut tight to keep out the cold. Come summer time, residents can slide them all open to enjoy their porch (and the warm lake breezes) just as before. With such dramatic seasonal differences at play here in the Midwest, we love to provide property owners with clever ways to utilize every inch of their domain all year ’round!

LOCATION: Gold Coast, Chicago
ARCHITECT: Gibbons Fortman & Associates
GC: Meyer Guild
INSTALLER: JMD Builders, Inc
PRODUCT SUPPLIED: LaCantina Doors

 

Two Gables — Glencoe, IL

How dreamy is this recently completed residential project in Glencoe, Illinois?

The designers at Wheeler Kearns Architects knew they wanted to create a house that would feel intrinsically integrated with the surrounding landscape — especially given the expansive lot size and lush, forested perimeter. They opted to situate the home toward the front of the property, allowing its occupants to enjoy floor-to-ceiling views of their yard from the rear of the building.

We provided an enormous, 21-foot wide “Aliwood” sliding unit from LaCantina Doors to this end of the central living area, blending the room seamlessly with the outdoors in seasonable weather. Integrated Centor screens even keep the bugs away while the breezes play!

A short walk across the lawn takes you down to the pool, which is served on one end by a little waterfront cabana. Two folding door systems (also from LaCantina) open up this enviable sunroom to the patio — keeping the TV dry, giving non-swimmers a place to hang, and providing a handy place to stash cold beers, towels, and sunscreen. A matching standalone swing door unit from Jeld Wen was also installed for ease of daily passage.

And just in case the pool just won’t cut it… these lucky homeowners are just a short walk from the nearest public lakefront beach! Suffice it to say: we’re obsessed with how beautifully this cozy project came out.

LOCATION: Glencoe, Illinois
ARCHITECT: Wheeler Kearns Architects
GC: Power Construction
INSTALLER: Meyer Guild
PRODUCT SUPPLIED: LaCantina Doors, Centor, Jeld Wen

Woodbine Residence — Oak Park, IL

LOCATION: Oak Park, Illinois
DESIGN/BUILD: Showalter Services
PRODUCT SUPPLIED:  Centor

 

AESOP Skincare — Oakbrook Mall

We couldn’t be more excited to show off one of our most recently completed projects! The grand opening for Aesop‘s newest location in Oak Brook Center took place in September 2022. With a custom tile exterior fabricated by Sandkuhl Clay and custom-cut Summit Brick accents to match, this endeavor was a true collaborative effort between the designers, the fabricators, and our team of creative thinkers.

Every AESOP location has a totally unique design and color scheme, often incorporating one-of-a-kind natural materials. Take their Bucktown store in Chicago, for example… which uses our signature reclaimed Chicago common brick. When it came time to build this new suburban outpost, their in-house interior design team reached out to us in search of an earthy-red “perforated masonry module with grooved surfaces.”

It’s no wonder Sandkuhl got involved with this project — one of the many reasons we love this woman-owned Ohio factory is for their enthusiastic willingness to develop bespoke solutions for unusual requests! Several months and lots of samples later, this terracotta-colored tile emerged. Evenly-spaced ribs across each 12″ x 7-5/8″ piece were precisely measured to be the exact width of a traditional mortar joint, allowing for strong and consistent vertical lines across the facade.

Throughout the space, both inside and out, complimentary-hued “Medium Red” bricks from Summit were cut laterally by our yard team to a 3/4″ thickness, and installed to reveal their perfectly circular core holes. We provided this same material, with its rustic vertical-scratch face texture, to the incredible craftsmen at Oetee for the store’s custom cabinetry and other fixtures.

The next time you find yourself out in Oakbrook, Illinois, be sure to pop in to Aesop’s new storefront to admire the masonry and check out their many sustainable and vegan products for skin, hair, home, & body!

LOCATION: 96 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, IL 60523

ARCHITECT: Aesop+ Range Design
GC: LG Group
MASON: Skyline Plastering
INTERIOR CABINETRY: Oetee
PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: Summit Brick + Sandkuhl Clay

 

3312 N Halsted – Chicago

SPACE Architects designed this building at 3312 N. Halsted using Interstate Brick in the “Ironstone” color. To mimic the aesthetic of smaller and older structures nearby, classic modular-size face brick was used on the front façade. But, with very tight neighbors on either side, 8x4x16 structural brick was needed for the north and south elevations.

For the rear of the property, matching 4x4x16 units were used. Since there’s no one in close proximity to the rear wall, using these slimmer units is permissible, and a little more cost-effective. One of the many reasons we love Interstate is that you can order the same color in a bunch of different sizes!

Architects even specified bond beam units for structural reinforcement on this job. Asking yourself what the heck that is? Wonder no more! A “bond beam” is a structural masonry unit with cutouts that make it U-shaped. Horizontal lengths of rebar can be laid into the notch, with mortar added on top, to add important resistance to shear loads and help distribute lateral loads throughout the wall.

Designing a building like this one is efficient, cost-effective, fire-resistant, and still nice to look at! We are always happy to help and offer advice to anyone seeking design advice for their next brick project. Another great resource are our friends at IMI. Swipe through the images here for some diagrams.

LOCATION: 3312 N. Halsted St
ARCHITECT: SPACE Architects
GC: Kiferbaum Development
MASON: Brennan Masonry
PRODUCT SUPPLIED: Interstate Brick

 

Chestnut RowHomes – Gold Coast

When you’re building a new construction project in the heart of Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood — an area resplendent with some of the city’s finest examples of late 19th century architecture — high-quality design is key to keeping up with the Joneses!

The team at Booth Hansen took this to heart when they drew up plans for the Chestnut Row Homes, a seven-property townhome development. Inspired by an incredible pair of Italianate residences across the street (built 1881), these homes feature similar old-world masonry, traditional cornices, decorative railings, and undulating bay windows.

To carry the light and airy color palette around the rear of the buildings, we supplied limestone-hued “Arctic White” Interstate Brick in a sleek 12″ norman-size length. The rear decks feel positively sumptuous as a result, and we love the choice to create artful basket weave insets behind the cozy rooftop seating areas.

This incredible project seamlessly blends in with its many historic neighbors, and we think you’ll agree it’s a vast improvement over the empty parking lot that was there before!

LOCATION: 111 West Chestnut, Chicago

ARCHITECT: Booth Hansen
GC: Berglund Construction
DEVELOPER: Tawani Enterprises
MASON: J&E Duff
PRODUCT SUPPLIED: Interstate Brick

 

Naperville Country Club — Naperville, IL

A major upgrade is now in place for the event space at Naperville Country Club!

In recognition of the club’s one-hundredth anniversary, members of the popular suburban institution recently voted to embark on a massive overhaul of the iconic 1949 clubhouse. Lots of exciting changes are afoot, including a kitchen modernization project, locker room renovations, the addition of sleek new fixtures, and a thorough remodeling of the facility’s dining areas. To finish off the centerpiece of the building — an airy bar and lounge frequently reserved for private events and weddings — we were excited to provide these snazzy LaCantina Doors.

A notable improvement over the previously bulky fenestration, these 6-panel bi-folding doors neatly fold to either side of the 20-foot opening, allowing guests to spill out onto the spacious patio in temperate weather. And, thanks to the thermally-broken aluminum design, members can still comfortably enjoy floor-to-ceiling views of the picturesque golf course even in the dead of winter. Custom, horizontal SDL bars compliment the historic style of the existing exterior architecture beautifully, while the specification of “panic hardware” on the two innermost panels allows these doors to push open in the event of a fire or evacuation. Safe, functional, multi-seasonal, and artfully crafted… what’s not to love?!

LOCATION: 25W570 Chicago Ave, Naperville, IL 60540
ARCHITECT: WEISS Architecture
GC: Bulley and Andrews
INSTALLER: Architectural Glass Works
PRODUCT SUPPLIED: LaCantina Doors

College Road Residence — Naperville, IL

Lucky Strike Wrigleyville — Chicago

Last year saw the grand debut of popular bowling & arcade venue Lucky Strike new Wrigley Ville location! Located just across the street from Wrigley Field, Lucky Strike is a hot spot for tourists and locals alike to hang out before and after seeing the Cubs in action.

With so many large groups making this entertainment destination part of their Chicago adventures, ownership sought a way to subdivide portions of the open-floor plan for private parties. Right away we knew that LaCantina Doors offered the perfect solution — folding doors made of floor-to-ceiling glass surrounded by sleek black aluminum creates effective interior partitions while maintaining an open, airy feeling in the space. For days without any group reservations, the panels can be pushed off to one side in seconds. Since this job didn’t need to worry about weather-resistance, we were even able to specify an ultra-minimal indoor track that sits flush with the surrounding floor. Talk about a seamless transition safe for the stilettos of high-heeled guests!

Two sets of bi-folding doors and a single swing door separate the bowling lanes from a seating area along the building’s eastern wall, while another folding door off the arcade can be closed off to form a smaller private room. From corporate events to bachelor/ette and birthday parties, this oasis of fun has a sweet spot for everyone!

LOCATION: 1027 W. Addison Street, Chicago, IL 60613
ARCHITECT: D+K Architects
GC: Kern Konstruction
MASON: TSI Commercial Floor
PRODUCT SUPPLIED: LaCantina Doors

Laser Away — Various Locations

Take our word for it: adding brick to an existing interior space doesn’t have to be a majorly disruptive renovation project. While traditional, “full bed depth” brick typically clocks in at 3-⅝” deep, most brick veneer is a slim ½” thick. This difference allows the material to be installed relatively easily over most walls, and without sacrificing virtually any floorspace.

Thin brick is particularly popular for quick indoor makeovers — adding a backsplash or accent wall to a residential home, or creating a client-specific look for a new commercial space. And since genuine clay brick veneer is made with the same raw materials & firing techniques as the real deal, or even cut down from whole bricks, it’s pretty hard for most people to tell the difference when it’s all said and done.

We’ve supplied McNear‘s “Salt House” thin brick for several local outposts of national spa chain Laser Away. The distinctive brickwork in each location helps harmonize the style of the brand across their many locations, and the thin format makes it easy to install in any retail storefront space.

LOCATIONS:
Laser Away Naperville — 1023 S Washington St, Naperville
LaserAway Bucktown — 1953 N Wabansia, Chicago
Laser Away River North — 664 N Wells, Chicago
LaserAway Northbrook — 1036 Willow Road, Northbrook
ARCHITECT: Ocio Design Group
PRODUCT SUPPLIED: McNear

 

Clarendale Six Corners — Chicago

After almost four years of planning, design, construction, and hard work… the new Clarendale senior housing project in Portage Park is just about finished! Rising up from a much-maligned, formerly-vacant lot, the soaring 10-story building is a major improvement and big step forward for the redevelopment of the historic “Six Corners” intersection.

Salesman Clark worked on this project from its earliest stages, sampling many different color combinations of brick to the design team over the years. And we just love the way this custom 60/40 blend of amber-hued “Desert Sand” with darker “Tumbleweed” Interstate Brick highlights the many different patterns across the facade! Basketweave sections divide windows, soldier courses divide levels, and subtle insets and outsets create a plethora of visual interest. The blend alternates with more monotone expanses of “Smokey Mountain” towards the top, cleverly breaking up the massing of this 258-unit structure. In addition to the standard utility-size material, we also provided custom special shapes to address some of the unusual angles required by this triangular property.

Amenities are set to include a private outdoor terrace, library, grocery store, restaurants, a theater and salon, frequent shuttles to local destinations, and tons of programming for the building’s lucky future residents.

LOCATION: 4715 West Irving Park Road, Chicago, Illinois 60641

GC: Ryan Companies
MASON: J&E Duff
PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: Interstate Brick

Humana — Louisville, KY

This just in: photos of our reclaimed Chicago common brick installed at a new project for Humana in Louisville, Kentucky!

Salesman Luke helped the Chicago office of IA Architects pick out “Sand Buff” thin brick for use on the interior walls of the health corporation’s newly renovated first-floor space. The clever design incorporates a massive, 3-foot thick brick pier to subdivide the space, punctuated by four large archways. At first glance, you’d assume this wall was made of solid masonry and well over a hundred years old… but that’s not the case. You’re looking at about 9/16″ of brick veneer (cut by our yard staff from real salvaged material), which was adhered to 5/8″ cement board and mounted to regular ol’ plywood studs enclosing a few existing structural support columns. The illusion was expertly finished with a faux soldier course running around the perimeter of each opening!

We couldn’t be more impressed with the ingenious configuration, which infuses the room with a vibrant, compelling feeling of antiquity. Best of all? Check out the narrow strip of LED lighting on the underside of each barrel vault! We love when architects creatively combine old & new materials like this, and can’t wait to see pictures when construction is complete.

See more photos on the architect’s website.

LOCATION: 500 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202

ARCHITECT:  IA Architects
GC: BJB Restoration
PRODUCT SUPPLIED: Reclaimed “Clay Buff” common brick

 

1801 Residence — Chicago

We’re often asked: do we work with home owners directly? The answer is yes! After all, nobody wants to live in a building they don’t like to look at. When it came time for this Wicker Park client to select masonry for her new construction single family home, she reached out to us for options that would help her house make the right first impression.

But it can be hard to communicate your taste in bricks if you lack the vocabulary or haven’t quite decided what your aesthetic is. And that’s okay — in this instance, the property owner spent a day driving around the city and recording addresses of brick buildings she liked, which she then sent to us in the hopes of finding something similar.

We drove around to those same properties, identifying her taste as “rustic, pink brick”… a description matching our reclaimed Chicago common brick! After sampling a few different medium-to-dark pink batches, she settled on the one you see here. We even ended up supplying a custom set of folding LaCantina Doors (with integrated Centor bug screen) for the back patio. The result is an awesome project that artfully blends modern and vintage style for a timeless, tasteful addition to the neighborhood.

LOCATION: Wicker Park, Chicago

GC: Prairie Home Builders
INSTALLER:  McAuley Masonry
PRODUCT SUPPLIED: Reclaimed “Medium Pink” Brick, LaCantina Doors, Centor

The Terminal — Chicago

We are so excited to share some pictures of our work on The Terminal Chicago. This former factory in Humboldt Park was built in 1916 for lighting and electrical manufacturer Pyle-National Company, who produced headlights and electrical equipment for railroad use, as well as exterior illumination for a number of famous Chicago buildings (Tribune Tower and Soldier Field, to name a few). By 1992, the 6.5-acre campus designed by Davidson & Weiss had been sold, slowly falling into disrepair over the years.

With downtown office space becoming more and more expensive, Cawley Chicago saw an opportunity in the historic complex, teaming up with Ratio Design to fully renovate the space into a modern hub for fledgling companies in the tech and creative industries. This amazing adaptive reuse endeavor has retrofitted the existing architecture with innovative new offices and ample outdoor space, while also integrating original vintage elements — like the 50-foot smokestack, set to become an outdoor climbing wall! We also provided a suite of fresh fenestration to replace the dated industrial glass block and allow more sunlight to filter inside. Salesman Clark Gray, helped pick out these H500-series Quaker Windows, fabricated with custom mullions in the style of the building’s lost steel windows. Swipe through the gallery for some 1920s photos and let us know how close you think we got to the original aesthetic.

LOCATION:  1334 N. Kostner
DESIGNER:  Ratio Design
DEVELOPER: Cawley Chicago
GC: Arco Murray
INSTALLER: R&R Glass & Windows
PRODUCT SUPPLIED:  Quaker Windows

 

4629 N Broadway — Chicago

After a long 3 years, the restoration of this one-story terracotta storefront at 4629 N Broadway is finally complete!

The story of this building begins in the roaring 20s — at the time, the surrounding Uptown neighborhood was buzzing with glitz, glamour, over-the-top theatres, and thriving businesses. Seeking to capitalize on shoppers flocking to the area, building owner A. W. Hannah hired architect William H. Harlev Jr. to build a new retail outpost on his existing lot. He was even able to sign Thom McAn Shoe Company for a ten-year lease before construction had even started! Maybe the footwear retailer should have thought it over, because that deal was inked only 20 days before the stock market crash of 1929. Whoops…

But, knowing they could count on the equivalent of $86,000 in annual rent for the next decade, no expense was spared for the new building. Completed in 1930, Harlev’s elaborate design features custom, hand-painted, polychrome terracotta with two prominent Native American faces (likely inspired by the motif used on nearby Essanay Studios).

The years were not kind to the façade, which fell into a state of disrepair over the next century. In 2018, we were brought on to help contractor, Formed Space, restore the now-landmarked building. Each piece was tagged, measured, evaluated, and carefully removed. Components needing to be replaced were mailed to S.Anselmo, where artisans made custom molds of the damaged pieces, painstakingly touched up the replicas, and glazed them to match the faded 1920s colors.

Once the material made its way back to Chicago, salesperson Dave  assembled the whole elevation in our yard to check his work. Project architects from MDT Architecture stopped by to give their blessing for reinstallation… and get a sneak peak of what their new offices would look like! When you’ve spent countless hours deep in the weeds of a project, you might as well move in, right?

Do drop by the next time you’re in the neighborhood — you can even peek in the windows and say hello to Zuzu, the office cat!

LOCATION: 4629 N Broadway, Chicago
ARCHITECT:  MDT Architecture
GC: Formed Space
PRODUCT SUPPLIED: S.Anselmo

Hampton Social — Chicago

If you find yourself in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood, there’s no better elevated terrace than the one at The Hampton Social — featuring our LaCantina Doors, of course!

Back in 2014, we worked with the previous restaurant operating at 164 E Grand to provide three huge folding door systems connecting the indoor bar on the second floor to this dreamy outdoor area. The clients wanted the modern fenestration to match the adjacent fixed windows, opting for the addition of custom SDL bars, or “muntins,” for a consistent appearance across the façade when everything is closed.

WINDOW FUN FACT: “Mullions” separate one window from the next, while “muntins” separate individual panes of glass (though in this day and age, “simulated divided light” bars just have the of separating the glass, and are actually just a decorative bit of moulding applied to each side).

Swipe to the end of the gallery to see how this eatery looked before its 2018 remodeling. We love the way the new tenant used limewash to give the original red brickwork a rustic-chic makeover that plays nicely with the light & airy interior design.

LOCATION: Streeterville, Chicago
ARCHITECT: TR Knapp Architects
DESIGNER: Gino Romozzi
GC:  Synergy Construction
INSTALLER: OVC Inc.
PRODUCT SUPPLIED:  LaCantina Doors

 

Paradise Park — Chicago

Having previously worked with the same restaurateurs on Happy Camper Chicago, we were delighted to help them realize a similar concept in the Wicker Park neighborhood. Known as Paradise Park this kooky eatery is a tribute to one of the owner’s trailer park nostalgia. Saturated with neon, pink flamingos, unpretentious lawn furniture, and rustic chic decor, it was also important thematically that the space feel eternally-outdoors… even during winter weather.

Like its sister restaurant, large-format LaCantina Doors proved to be the perfect solution! Surrounding the main bar on three sides, two sets of pocketing sliding doors and one giant, 13-panel bi-folding door system allow the central hub of alcohol-procurement to open wide and connect seamlessly with the expansive patio area that fronts bustling North Avenue. A minimalist, open-air roof structure is clad with canvas & plastic sheathing when temperatures begin to drop; with the help of a few strategically-placed heaters, the semi-outdoor seating area can be used for the majority of the year.

At the same time, having the ability to shut weather resistant doors tight and enclose the truly-indoor area during blustery snowstorms — or when the place closes for the evening — is a crucial feature for this popular small business. We love how creative this fabulous pizzeria is, from its flexible floorplan to its ‘gram worthy, over-the-top aesthetic!

LOCATION: 1913 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
ARCHITECT:  Thomas Montgomery Architects
GC:  Aberdeen Construction
INSTALLER: R&R Glass
PRODUCTS SUPPLIED:  LaCantina Doors

Rice Residence — Chicago

Check out the recent renovation project we worked on with our friends at Pavlecic Trudeau Architects!

The homeowners of this historic grays tone two-flat wanted to upgrade their fenestration to contemporary windows with improved energy efficiency, but didn’t want to break the bank to do so. We immediately knew that Quaker would have the perfect solution — these high-quality units from their “Manchester” series offer an impressive u-value of 0.26, can be custom-sized for existing openings, and are made of cost-effective vinyl.

Typically, you’ll see buildings of this age in Chicago sporting traditional double-hung windows. Craving uninterrupted views and a more modern aesthetic, these owners opted instead for sleek, casement style products with minimalist trim. Hinged at the side, a casement window swings open with the help of an interior crank handle.

But that’s not the only way this renovation was unique… these next level DIY-ers opted to rent scaffolding and install all of their new fenestration themselves! When you buy your windows directly from a dealer like us, you’re able to clearly distinguish what costs are associated with construction, and what costs are associated with the actual materials. And, if you’ve got the same adventurous moxie of this couple, you can save big by tackling the installation component your own way. We’re always happy to provide customers with manufacturer-specific installation instructions that can steer the process towards success.

LOCATION: Ukrainian Village, Chicago
ARCHITECT: Pavlecic Trudeau Architects
PRODUCT SUPPLIED: Quaker

North Lawndale Employment Network — Chicago

Just under a year ago, we worked alongside Wheeler Keams Architects to carefully select & supply brick for the walls of an exterior garden adjoining the new home of North Lawndale Employment Network (NLEN). Founded in 1999, this highly-rated West Side workforce development nonprofit has been steadily expanding their services, recently finding themselves in need of a new space that could unite their scattered offices. They settled on this property — built as the first African American-owned bank in the neighborhood — adapting and modifying the existing structure into a gorgeous new programmatic center and community hub!

We made the 2-mile drive to the site several times before settling on this 3-color brick blend perfectly calibrated to complement the orange & brown tones of the original masonry. The custom formula of “Terra Cotta,” “Ironstone,” and “Monterrey” 8x4x16 “Atlas” structural brick from Interstate Brick was used to build a high wall surrounding a tranquil outdoor Peace Garden, which can be connected via bi-folding door to the facility’s indoor event space. In addition to job readiness programs, NLEN offers mechanic classes, employment opportunities at their on-site coffee shop, community meeting space, financial advising by Wintrust, and even a popular beekeeping enterprise (BeeLove)!

It was an honor to involved in this project, and we wish them great success in continuing their important work for years to come.

LOCATION: 1111 S. Homan Ave. Chicago, IL 60624
ARCHITECT: Wheeler Keams Architects
GC: UJAMAA Construction
MASON: R.E.A. Masonry
PRODUCT SUPPLIED: Interstate Brick

 

Biaggi’s — Bloomington-Normal, IL

There’s no better place to cozy up with a plate of spaghetti than Biaggi’s! Over the past decade we’ve been honored to work with designer, Pam Valenta, to create unique, inviting interiors for over a dozen Biaggi’s locations. Though each restaurant is a little different, nearly all feature reclaimed Chicago common brick — an homage to masonry of the Midwest, and inspired by the rustic aesthetic of old world architecture along the Mediterranean coast.

One of our favorites? The eatery pictured here, located in the chain’s hometown of Bloomington, Illinois! This one-of-a-kind design utilized salvaged “Philadelphia red” brick on the exterior, with a distressed thin brick from McNear Brick for the arched doorways of the dining room. The soft white color, known as “Greenwich,” is a variegated brown brick coated with a heavy dusting of lime wash. White mortar was over-grouted into the joints for an aged, slurry-like finish.

With a handful of expansions, renovations, and new builds currently in the works, we are excited to continue our partnership with this beloved, family owned institution.

LOCATION:
Bloomington-Normal — 3010 East Empire Street Bloomington, IL 61704

DESIGNER: Pam Valenta
GC: 41 North Contractors
MASON: Garneau Construction
PRODUCT SUPPLIED:  McNear Brick, Reclaimed “Philly Red” commons

Art of Pure — Chicago

How fabulous does the new Art of Pure storefront look at 958 West Armitage in Lincoln Park? This beloved green beauty shop started with a robust online presence before opening their first retail location in Chicago. Clean modern design permeates the space, which is accented by an original 1880s tin ceiling. We think the incorporation of vintage reclaimed “Light Pink” common brick was a great compliment this historic detail, and adds a rosy pop of color to the otherwise crisp, minimalist space.

One of the advantages of using thinbrick, like the designers did here, is the ease with which complicated masonry arrangements can be realized. No structural shenanigans had to be figured out to create these gorgeous rows of vertically-oriented soldier courses! Brick veneer can be applied directly to any cementitious surface, such as Durock or similar, using extra-sticky “poly-modified adhered veneer mortar” from Spec Mix.

Always keeping the client and their brand in mind is a great way to choose materials thoughtfully. The one-of-a-kind brick adorning the walls of this chic boutique is an organic product made from local clay, not unlike the earth-friendly products sold within! And of course we love the leafy mural by  Right Way Signs on top, which further emphasizes this clever connection.

Check out Art of Pure on your next trip to the shopping corridor off the Armitage Brown Line! It was a pleasure to work with this fellow locally-owned small business, and we know they’ll thrive in this gorgeous new location.

LOCATION: 958 West Armitage, Chicago, 60614

DESGINER:  Design AGN
GC: JLM Construction Group

PRODUCT SUPPLIED:  Thinbrick, Reclaimed Light Pink Brick, Spec Mix

444 N Orleans — Chicago

What a transformation! Seeking to modernize this 1896 River North office building and add rentable square footage, the owners of 444 N Orleans teamed up with von Weise associates to craft a new look for the facade and add an additional floor to this formerly four-story property.

Black stucco and a white porcelain rain screen system — similar to Front Tek — were added to the existing north & east elevations. The new top level, meanwhile, was built using Interstate Brick’s gorgeous “Obsidian” utility brick. We like the contrast in finish between the shimmery, almost iridescent black brick, the matte black stucco, and the smooth white & grey porcelain tile!

The new cladding was installed over the original brickwork, helping achieve the client’s goal of improving thermal efficiency, while also keeping deconstruction costs to a minimum. By preserving the underlying masonry, the refreshed interior was able to incorporate exposed brick walls in a nod to the building’s past.

It’s exciting for us to see rain screen systems finally catching on in Chicago architecture. Featuring a system of rails, upon which cladding materials are hung, these have been popular in Europe for quite some time thanks to their ability to easily hide beefy continuous insulation assemblies underneath. There are tons of cladding options to choose from, too: rustic clay tiles, sleek pieces of slate, customizable extruded porcelain in bright colors or patterns mimicking marble and wood… the possibilities are endless! As energy codes in the United States continue to strengthen, we’re excited to work on more unique projects like this one that artfully combine old & new materials.

LOCATION: 444 N Orleans, Chicago, 60654

✍️ Von Weise Associates
🏗 Summit Design-Build
🧱 W.B.F. Construction

PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: Interstate Brick

Homer Residence — Chicago, IL

We just love the way this single family home project in Wicker Park turned out! The choice of “Medium Pink” reclaimed Chicago common brick for the south-facing façade makes the house positively glow with warmth in the setting sun.

Surrounded by historic properties, the salvaged brick also helps harmonize the new construction with its older neighbors. When paired with a few other vintage design elements (like this deep cornice, oriel window, and gas lanterns), the craftily camouflaged building is likely to trick passerby into assuming the building has been there for a century — in reality, it’s barely two years old.

It’s nice to be close to your neighbors as friends, but when you’re also close to your neighbors physically, the city requires 4-hour UL fire-rated exterior walls. We helped the developer and architect satisfy this criteria by supplying cost-effective Interstate Brick 8x4x16 “Atlas” structural brick units for both sides of the residence. Matching “Bronzestone” 4x4x16 units were used on the rear of the property for a continuous look, with the warm brown color nicely complimenting the structure’s metallic details. Meeting code and looking great while doing it? Now that’s a job well done!

LOCATION: Wicker Park, Chicago

ARCHITECT:  PMP Architects
GC: Real View Design & Development
INSTALLER: Megalan Corporation

PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: Interstate Brick

Starbucks — Indianapolis

This might just be the fanciest Starbucks location we’ve ever worked on, and the good people of Indianapolis are lucky to have it.

Located near the heart of UI Health’s downtown campus, the light & airy design of this cozy coffeeshop provides busy healthcare workers and anxious families with a relaxing place to hang out and refuel.

We supplied this unique masonry rainscreen product made by S. Anselmo for the building’s exterior. Known as “SK1N,” the system consists of aluminum rails upon which these beautiful extruded terracotta tiles are hung. The architects loved the red-brown coffee-esque hues of the “PG” color, and specified mitered corners for a seamless look as the pieces wrapped around the building.

This 4th generation Italian manufacturer has been making traditional clay materials since 1903, but also continues to create innovative new products like this one! Offering many of the same low-maintenance, energy efficient benefits of a traditional brick wall, masonry rainscreens are a stylish, contemporary cladding option that allows substantial continuous insulation assemblies to be tucked out of sight underneath. The trend is making its way across the pond, and we couldn’t be more excited to see companies like Starbucks getting on board!

LOCATION: 1234 N Capitol Ave, Indianapolis, 46202

GC: Capital Construction Services
INSTALLER: Heldman Exteriors Inc

PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: S.Anselmo

Cleveland Residence — Chicago

Building a new construction project within the boundaries of a Chicago Landmark District can be a little tricky — plans have to be reviewed by the city’s historic preservation division to evaluate how well the exterior design fits with the surrounding architecture. Fortunately for these Lincoln Park homeowners, Philip Casagrande was no stranger to the process!

Mimicking the fenestration arrangement, three-story height, and artful details of the 19thcentury rowhomes next door was a good place to start, but equally important to securing approval for this addition to Chicago’s “Mid-North District” was the choice of a distinctive, period-appropriate redbrick for the classic masonry façade.

We offered up several selections from Morin Brick, a New England-based manufacturer still making water-struck masonry much like they did in the 1800s. The winning color, known as “Blackstone,” is flashed in the kiln to produce a range of red, black, and brown tones… and thanks to Morin’s expertise with custom shapes, we knew they could easily make matching angled pieces for the “jack arches” above each window.

We couldn’t be happier with the way this single family home turned out! Not only did it sail through the approvals process, it legitimately feels as if it’s been quietly nestled along its tree-lined street for decades.

LOCATION: Lincoln Park, Chicago
This property is part of the MID-NORTH HISTORIC DISTRICT.

ARCHITECT: Philip Casagrande
GC: Hastings Builders
MASON: Meier Masonry

PRODUCT SUPPLIED: Morin Brick

2052 N Campbell — Chicago

This three-unit Logan Square condo building was put in a precarious position by its previous owner — thanks to a haphazard slathering of dreary stucco over the original 1920s brickwork (swipe for a couple “before” pictures), the underlying masonry was suffocating and beginning to develop serious structural problems.

To address the issue, the entire façade had to be removed and stripped down to the inner brick wythe. Salesman Dave,  then helped the new owner pick out this gorgeous replacement material! Brick was a classic choice for the historic Chicago three-flat, but these 16-inch “Midnight Black” and “Ash” long format units from Interstate Brick add a touch of modern aesthetic as well.

For the accent stone at grade, we provided complimentary Shouldice Designer Stone in “Desert Buff,” resulting in a sleek finish that’s the envy of the whole block!

LOCATION: 2052 N Campbell, Chicago
ARCHITECT: TR Knapp Architects
MASON:  Stone and Brick Masonry Group, Inc
PRODUCT SUPPLIED: Interstate Brick, Shouldice Designer Stone

Solstice Garage — Chicago

In creating the glassy, 250-unit “Solstice on the Park” residential tower this parking structure is associated with, Studio Gang sought to maximize energy efficiency by crafting an angled design that carefully uses sun and shadow to retain or expel heat gain.

This fixation with light and sustainability influenced many of the choices for the complex’s adjoining three-story garage, as did the desire to create architectural beauty worthy of its location just steps from Chicago’s lush and expansive Jackson Park.

The idea of a brick screen wall emerged as a way of letting light naturally infiltrate the parking floors, while also offering homeowners on the other side of the street something interesting to look at. The choice of brick compliments the materiality of these nearby masonry homes, satiates the desire for environmentally friendly materials, and grounds the forward-thinking tower with a gentle reminder of the city’s brick-focused origins.

Bricks Inc and the architects worked closely together to solve the challenge of creating a sufficiently reinforced perforated brick wall, deciding to run vertical reinforcement rods through the core holes of each 4” x 4” x 16” brick. Technical assistance offered by the manufacturer, Interstate Brick, resulted in the development of custom rectangular coring that ensured there was plenty of room for rebar to be threaded through and fused safely into place. This methodology cleverly hid the structural support from view, and through-body color ensures the wall’s appearance is consistent when viewed from any angle.

To keep with the airy, neutral color scheme of the residences above, the architects selected a 50/50 randomized blend of two cool gray tones — “Platinum” and “Pewter.” The subtly varied hues ensure the design doesn’t feel too monolithic, while highlighting the stack bond construction and alternating pattern of punched out openings.

Parking structures are often contentious pieces of architecture, infamous for prioritizing function over beauty. This project deftly raises the standards for utilitarian structures and reminds us there is always room for artistry when brick is involved.

Read more on the GC’s website.
Read more on the architect’s website.

LOCATION: 5534-48 S Cornell Ave, Chicago, IL 60637

ARCHITECT: Studio Gang
DEVELOPER: Mac Properties
GC: Linn-Mathes Inc
MASON: S&D Masonry
PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: Interstate Brick

4809 Home — Chicago

How magical does the brick on this single family home in Lincoln Square look dappled in the afternoon sunlight?

Using a gorgeous watercolor rendering by Adam Wells Studios as inspiration, the developers approached us in search of the perfect grey brick for the new building’s front façade. We always love to send clients to see completed works using the same bricks we propose, so we sent their team over to a nearby project in Lakeview to check out “Platinum” Interstate Brick in real life.

The precision quality, competitive pricing, and cool tones of this brick make it one of our best-selling neutral colors. On this application, it beautifully contrasts with the warm cedar siding, adding a touch of tradition to this modern design.

ARCHITECT: Space Architects & Planners
GC: Tinker and Chance
MASON: Five Star Masonry

PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: Interstate Brick

Lincoln Park Zoo Lion House — Chicago

It was an honor to work alongside our pals at A.L.L. Masonry on the restoration and remodeling of the landmarked 1912 lion house at Lincoln Park Zoo Designed by legendary Prairie Style architect Dwight Perkins, the building is a masterpiece of Arts & Crafts detailing — just take a look at the herringbone tile pattern on the vaulted ceiling!

However, animal enclosure design has come a long way since the beginnings of this historic facility. Having started in 1868 with a gift of two swans from Central Park in New York City, the park “menagerie” officially became the nation’s third ever zoo with the purchase of a bear cub in 1874. Suffice it to say, in the early days, the world wasn’t too familiar with the best practices of keeping exotic wild animals for scientific study and public amusement. The small cages of the big cat habitat became a focus for renovation in the new millennium, with the intent of also carefully preserving the structure’s renowned vintage architecture.

We supplied carefully matched Ragland Brick “Full Range Ragtex” for exterior masonry repairs, as well as Watsontown Brick “Chelsea Ironspot Smooth” thin brick for the columns between the windows of the new outdoor lion enclosure. The building’s gorgeous interior also needed brick veneer for the walls around a new set of bathrooms, so we provided Endicott Brick in “Golden Buff Smooth” to evoke the soft yellows used on its infamous ceiling vault.

The building is a magical realization of a years-long effort. Human visitors will appreciate the exciting new viewing corridors, while we’re certain the furry friends inside are pleased with their new digs!

LOCATION: 2101 N Lincoln Park W, Chicago, IL 60614

ARCHITECT: Goettsch Partners + PJA Zoo Design
GC: Pepper Construction
MASON: ALL Masonry
PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: Endicott Brick, Ragland Brick, Watsontown Brick

Starbucks — Cicero, IL

Starbucks‘ newest retail outpost really shows off the coffee chain’s recent shift towards specifying eye-catching, unique masonry for the exteriors of new locations.

Salesman, Clark, helped the design team select one of our favorite offerings from Summit Brick — known as “Black Diamond,” this ultra-dark black brick has a subtle, variegated metallic finish that shimmers in the sunshine. Since commercial properties often require large windowless walls, cladding them with multi-color blends, flashed brick, or slightly irregular finishes (like this one) can help visually diffuse the enormity of those unbroken facades.

Another four Starbucks projects are on our plate for this coming year, featuring more black brickwork, soft pewter greys, and even fancy terracotta rain screen systems. Stay tuned!

LOCATION: 3316 S Cicero Ave, Cicero, IL

GC: Vequity
MASON: Ebben Masonry
PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: Summit Brick

Home Run Inn Pizza — Various Locations

Pizza Friday is a long-standing tradition at Bricks Inc — and while there’s no such thing as a pizza our staff won’t happily eat, we’ve obviously got a nearby joint we’re partial to. Our neighbors in Chicago’s Little Village can probably guess which one…

Since 1947, Home Run Inn has been slinging pies a few blocks over from us at 31st & Kildare. Like us, this familyowned business has deep roots in the community. Not only do they donate generously to national and local causes, the decor of their restaurants even reflects their city pride and strong Midwestern identity!

Over the years, we have been pleased to work with their design teams to specify reclaimed Chicago common brick for interior and exterior brick work. At the old Lakeview outpost, we provided “Full Range” thin brick slices for the logo-emblazoned wall behind the booths, while you’ll find “Medium Pinks” cladding the Berwyn restaurant, and more “Full Range” used on the flagship, original location (rebuilt in 2019).

This historic, home-grown material is the perfect choice for this beloved South Side institution. Though you can always grab one of their signature frozen pizzas at the grocery store, we invite you to come down to our neck of the woods and check out their brand new, larger space crafted by Vara Design! Pizza, beer, and bricks… a heavenly trifecta

LOCATIONS:
— 3215 N Sheffield, Chicago
— 4254 W 31st St, Chicago
— 6825 Cermak Rd, Berwyn, IL 60402
ARCHITECT: Hague Architecture
DESIGNER:  Vara Design
PRODUCT SUPPLIED: Reclaimed Chicago common brick

Dayton Residence — Chicago

When you’re building a new construction single family home just steps from Chicago’s historic Armitage-Halsted District, timeless design is a must. A few years ago, we had the privilege of helping the builders of this Lincoln Park property pick out a full suite of high-quality, vintage-style Quaker Windows that would blend in perfectly with the architecture of the surrounding neighborhood.

Each of the custom-size “Modern Vu” windows and doors feature SDL — or “simulated divided lite” — bars to replicate the look of traditional steel windows… with a few huge improvements over the real thing. Made of durable, light-weight aluminum, this fenestration is more cost-effective and offers excellent insulation against harsh Midwestern winters. We even provided a matching sliding door for the back patio! Sleek, classic, customizable, and energy efficient: what’s not to love?

LOCATION:  Armitage-Halsted District, Chicago
ARCHITECT: LeVaughn Associates Architects
INSTALLER: Meyer Guild
PRODUCT SUPPLIED: Quaker Windows

Tortazo — New York City

325 Multifamily — Chicago

When it comes to historic replacement projects, our goal is to make the before and after barely perceptible — visually speaking, that is! When it comes to energy efficiency, the homeowners are sure to notice.

For this 1890s multifamily property, we furnished custom Jeld Wen french doors to replace an original set on the third floor. After over a hundred years of harsh winters, the wood doors were beginning to rot and lose functionality. We were thrilled to be able to work alongside Meyer Guild to replace them with a near-perfect replica, complete with sage-green “Surf” exterior to match the existing. Aluminum cladding will offer better protection against the elements for the next century, while the natural pine interior can be stained to match the home’s vintage woodwork.

Best of all, the modern fenestration offers much better insulation for cozier indoor temperatures all year long. We can’t wait for the next phase of this project, including new windows for the entire apartment building. Stay tuned for our next challenge… replicating the awesome Victorian-era curved glass!

LOCATION: Old Town, Chicago
INSTALLER: Meyer Guild
PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: Jeld Wen

University of Chicago, Henry Hinds Laboratory — Chicago

When most people envision University of Chicago‘s campus, they think of the university’s distinctive Neo-Gothic architecture crafted by the likes of Henry Ives Cobb. And while there’s plenty of that style to be found in the area… the institution also has a long track record of peppering in ultra-cool contemporary buildings.

Constructed in 1969, the Henry Hinds Laboratory for the Geophysical Sciences is a striking Brutalist design by architect I.W. Colburn. Tall limestone towers with redbrick accents soar into the air, a Modernist use of the same masonry materials adorning its historic neighbors. We can’t help but love the artful brickwork patterns at play — corbeling, brick screens, protruding headers, radial installations, & more!

Even under the gun of a very condensed project timeline, our team was able to locate a near-perfect match for repairs to several of these decorative elements. We supplied the job with flashed “Franklin Molded” Watsontown Brick in an old-school 8″ length. Proper workmanship was the final piece of the puzzle, perfectly integrating the new infills with the existing material.

We’ve been fortunate to work on several one-of-a-kind projects in Hyde Park over the years, and eagerly look forward to the next one.

LOCATION: 5640 S Ellis Ave, Chicago, 60637

ARCHITECT: Inspec Inc
GC: Berglund Construction

PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: Watsontown Brick

Diamond Lake House — Cassopolis, MI

From 1971 → 2021! This fifty-year-old lakefront property in Cassopolis, Michigan was due for a major upgrade by the time we got involved. In addition to the small home facing the water, the property included a large, two-story garage and storage shed adjacent to the driveway.

The new owner opted for a full renovation of the main house, adding huge Quaker Windows and large-format LaCantina Doors to the elevation overlooking Diamond Lake. Bi-folding doors were added to the lower-level common spaces, while sliding doors were used on the upper level, adjacent to the deck. We love the way this living room has massive 4-panel sliders on both the street-facing and waterfront sides, allowing the family to fully transform the space into a giant, open-air patio in nice weather.

The former storage shed also got a huge makeover, with the second floor converted into a guest house and the first floor rebuilt as a boozy lounge area. Floor-to-ceiling windows from Quaker let the cool lake breezes blow through the upstairs bedroom; downstairs, a huge LaCantina folding door system opens the home bar up to a lake-facing terrace. We also provided numerous swing door units for daily passage throughout both buildings!

With so many different kinds of fenestration going into one project, we had to recommend some seriously talented professionals for the installation — true to form, Meyer Guild pulled it off flawlessly!

LOCATION: Cassopolis, Michigan

GC: Meyer Guild

PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: LaCantina Doors, Quaker Windows 

Summerdale Residence — Chicago

How sweet is this reclaimed Chicago common brick project? We teamed up with SPACE Architects  + Planners to add a touch of history to this gut rehab endeavor in Andersonville.

Though much of the exterior and façade of the original building were deemed unsalvageable, its “good bones” formed the basis for the modern work in progress you see here. These “Sand Buff” reclaimed bricks were carefully chosen for the rear of the new design from a variety of batches in our yard. We love the way the selection of salvaged material evokes the property’s heritage and adds warmth to this beautiful new backyard!

Since we reclaim brick from demolition sites all over the Chicagoland area, no two batches are exactly alike. The variety is part of the appeal for this material, but we always invite homeowners, architects, and developers to hand-pick their pallets to ensure they’re totally satisfied. We provided samples of two different batches to the owner of this project, allowing him to pick his perfect product. Looking at these pictures, it definitely feels like the made the right choice!

ARCHITECT: SPACE Architects  + Planners
DEVELOPER : Tylo Development Partners
GC: Axios Acquisitions 
PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: Reclaimed Chicago Commons

Cooper’s Hawk Winery — Various Locations

Over the years we have been fortunate to work with Aria Group Architects to specify masonry for over 10 different Cooper’s Hawk locations (and counting)!

Offering wine-tasting, wine club memberships, and a fully-stocked wine retail shop — as well as an excellent restaurant offering up delicious food pairings — Cooper’s Hawk has proven to be a popular dining destination in the Midwest and beyond.

Morton Grove residents close to the Sawmill Station development now benefit from one of the newest locations. This one features glossy, Interstate Brick “Black Opal” brick in the long format 2-1/4 x 16″ Emperor size.

Part of an ongoing revitalization project for a 26-acre strip mall built in 1963, the complex is set to include upscale apartments, shopping, and dining, all located just steps from the trails that wind through the cook county gov Forest Preserve District. Formerly known as Prairie View Plaza, the new name is an homage to Miller’s Mill, an 1841 water-powered saw mill that pioneered the community so many years ago.

See more on the architect’s website.

ARCHITECT: Aria Group Architects
GC: ICI
MASON: Certified Masonry
PRODUCT SUPPLIED: Interstate Brick

LOCATIONS PICTURED HERE:
— 6763 Dempster Street, Morton Grove, IL 60053 (“Black Opal”)
— 8696 E US Hwy 36, Avon, IN 46123  (“Black Opal”)
— 151 E Big Beaver Rd, Troy, MI 48083 (“Midnight Black”) — supplied by Brick Tech Architectural

Zalman’s Deli — Bloomfield Hills, MI

There’s a lot we like about the interior design of Zalman’s on Woodward. This cozy diner outside of Detroit, Michigan incorporates reclaimed “Medium Pink” thin brick into its retro style.

Located on the ground floor of Double Tree Hotel, the eatery pays homage to an old-school deli that once occupied the same space. Dating back to 1958, the hotel — then called The Kingsley Inn — was built to cater to fashionable suburbanites flocking to the Bloomfield Hills area at the time.

During the property’s 2018 remodeling, the designers sought to evoke the aesthetic of classic, midcentury modern counter-serve restaurants for this popular contemporary brunch spot. Sleek, Space Age style furnishings were paired with our vintage common brick, artful woodwork, and comfy booths for a look that perfectly blends the past and future of this historic building.

LOCATION:  39475 Woodward Ave Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304, United States

ARCHITECT: Kauner Inc
DEVELOPER: The Elia Group
GC: Joanna Construction Company 
PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: Reclaimed “Medium Pink” brick

800 W Fulton — Chicago

Check out our newest West Loop project — 800 W Fulton! This stunning new addition to Chicago’s skyline is the work of superstar architecture firm Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill, featuring a four-color blend of long-format Endicott Brick in precast panels. We helped the design team pick out a custom mix of “Rose Blend,” “Red Blend,” “Burgundy Blend,” and “Ruby Red” velour-texture thin brick in the 2-1/4″ x 16″ Meridian size, which was then laid into forms, amalgamated together with concrete, and installed at the job site in big pieces. Precast construction is an efficient process that keeps labor costs low, especially on huge jobs or those with complicated masonry patterns.

Thanks to distinctive metal trusses crisscrossing glassy portions of the exterior, the new building is easy to pick out of the crowd from a distance. It’s firmly grounded in the city around it, with visual references to Fulton Market’s 19th-century industrial brickwork, the crossbracing of SOM’s John Hancock Center (1965), and our contemporary infatuation with sleek, mirror-like glass facades. We can’t wait to watch it evolve, especially since each stepped setback features terrace spaces, soon to be filled with trees & greenery. Next time you’re in the neighborhood, stop by and tell us what you think!

LOCATION: 800 W Fulton St, Chicago, IL 60607

ARCHITECT: Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill
DEVELOPER: Thor Equities
GC: Lendlease
PRECASTER: LAPPCO using custom AP Formliners

PRODUCT SUPPLIED: Endicott Brick

2950 N Sheridan — Chicago

820 Residence — Macomb, IL

This 3-panel, pocketing multi-slide system from LaCantina Doors connects the future living room of this single family residence to a covered outdoor patio area. Visitors walking in the front door will be able to see across the open-floor plan & out through this ultra-wide fenestration opening to catch a glimpse of the awesome back deck and yard beyond.

Best of all, the integrated S4 Centor screen can be pulled across the opening to keep the bugs out!

There are many different configurations of sliding doors, but we especially love when they’re able to be built as pocket doors. A benefit to selecting patio door products early in the new construction process? Your builder or carpenter can create a secret little pocket in the wall next to the door that all of the sliding panels can disappear into. The result is a truly seamless transition between indoor and outdoor space!

LOCATION: Macomb, Illinois

REAL ESTATE: Amber Patrick
INSTALLERS: Mark Roman + Fernando Guzman

PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: LaCantina Doors, Centor 

Racine Residence — Chicago

With all the finishing touches in place, this Lakeview home looks absolutely incredible — don’t you think?

Built around 1880, the beautiful façade of this historic home was first modernized with a fresh coat of black brick stain. A thorough remodeling of the interior brought new finishes and luxury upgrades to the property, while minimally altering the timeless original floorplan. To add spaciousness to the open kitchen + living room area, the backyard-facing door and windows were replaced with these contemporary large-format folding doors from Centor. The rear yard was even raised to match the level of the first floor, making this transition between indoors and outdoors feel extra fluid and seamless. Thanks to the integrated screen, which can be pulled from a hidden compartment at one end of the opening, these homeowners can also enjoy all the nice breezes without any of the bugs!

LOCATION: Lakeview, Chicago

INSTALLER: Mark Roman / Facilities Planning & Construction
PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: Centor

RPM Seafood — Chicago

Chicago’s riverwalk got a major upgrade with the addition of RPM Seafood in early 2020. This four-level riverfront restaurant needed the flexibility to have guests dine indoors or out depending on the weather.

We provided thermally-controlled aluminum LaCantina Doors in bifolding & multislide configurations along the whole of the river-facing façade, plus several interior systems. Exterior units were provided with ADA-compliant ramp sills to facilitate access. Hidden amongst the tasteful interior design, you can even find some of our Roeben “Aarhus Blau-Bunt” thin brick!

Swing by the next time you’re in the mood for a nice dinner and check out the myriad of different systems on this job!

• Four bifolding door systems on the lower level (122″ to 185″  wide)
• Swing door on the lower level
• Bifolding window system for the lower level bartop (190″ span)
• Multi-slide door system at street level (225″ span)
• Bifolding door system at street level (596″ span)
• Two interior aluminum bifolding door systems at mezzanine level (170″ to 244″ wide)
• Two interior wood bifolding door systems at mezzanine level (84″ span)
• 170″ bifolding system (mezzanine)

Learn more on Myefski’s website.

LOCATION: 317 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

ARCHITECTS: Myefski Architects, Rockwell Group, Goettsch Partners
DEVELOPER: Lettuce Entertain You
GC: LG Construction
MASON: Bourbon Tile
INSTALLER: Architectural Glass Works
PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: LaCantina Doors, Roeben

Capital One Café — Chicago

Located along the busy, ultra-walkable commercial and retail corridor that is Southport Avenue, this Capital One Café location wanted to be able to easily draw in passersby. Part bank, part community gathering space, and part Peet’s Coffee Shop, this unique concept offers public meeting spaces, financial literacy coaching, and free events.

Working with the design team at IA Interior Architects, we provided a giant set of bifolding LaCantina Doors to the 18-foot wide opening along the building’s western elevation. In seasonable weather, staff push aside the entire system to create a fluid, airy entry right off the bustling sidewalk outside! Delicious coffee smells invite locals to wander inside and stay awhile, and the fresh breeze makes this an attractive place to meet a friend or get some work done.

And of course — when the winter winds come a-howling, these thermally-controlled doors invite the sunshine to filter in while keeping the cold out. From restaurants, to private home patios, to unconventional banks… folding and sliding doors are a flexible way to enjoy all four seasons in any space.

LOCATION: 3435 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

GC/INSTALL: Northern Glass Inc, VEI Solutions
PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: LaCantina Doors