Archive Archives: Projects

Quick Run – Lemont, IL

Not only can a gas station be beautiful — we think they should be! Check out the way these Interstate Brick “Black Opal” utility bricks shimmer even in the snow. When paired with the warm, variegated browns of the “Bronzestone” color, this shiny black brick creates sharp, aesthetically pleasing linear accents.

Quality, attractive masonry doesn’t have to break the bank. Larger brick sizes like this one (3-5/8” x 3-5/8” x 11-5/8”) help keep costs down, but come in an array of lovely colors. Combining two different shades in a thoughtful pattern like this makes for a handsome design that’ll last for years to come.

LOCATION: 13604 Archer Ave, Lemont, IL 60439

ARCHITECT: N. Batistich, Architects
GC: New Path Construction
MASON: DCA Quality Construction
PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: Interstate Brick

Sunset Cafe – Chicago

We are excited to highlight our recent work on the former Sunset Café building in the historic neighborhood of Bronzeville. In the 1920s, this humble garage structure was converted into one of Chicago’s earliest jazz clubs, featuring the likes of Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway, and Benny Goodman. For almost 30 years, the integrated clubs occupying the space were a fixture of the city’s thriving South Side communities.

Most Chicagoans today likely remember the building as home to Meyers Ace Hardware, which recently ended its 95-year run in the location. The new owner has been modernizing the Landmark property, welcoming Urban Beautique beauty supply as its newest tenant. Pop by sometime to check out the original jazz age murals inside… as well as the gorgeous, long-format black brick we supplied to the new facade!

The two-texture roman brick used is comprised of 100% recycled content, and was made custom for this project by Theaster Gates‘ brick manufacturer (Greenleaf Brick). The choice worked as a landmarks-approved replacement of the original masonry, and one we suggested to connect the black history of the space to Theaster Gates’ contemporary revitalization projects in the area. These types of projects are why we get out of bed in the morning — it’s an honor to be part of this legendary building’s new chapter!

See another project we did with Gates and this unique brick here.

Read more about the building on Atlas Obscura.
Read more about the closure of Meyers Ace Hardware on WTTW.
Read more about the history of Sunset Cafe on WBEZ.
Read more about Sunset Cafe and the hardware store here.

LOCATION: 315 E 35th St, Chicago, IL 60616
This property is a Chicago Landmark. 

ARCHITECT: Z. Feng Architect & Co.
PRODUCT SUPPLIED: Theaster Gates’ black bricks

Pulluru Residence – Naperville, IL

We love a satisfied customer! The owner of this Naperville residence visited our showroom and became smitten with the idea of installing LaCantina sliding doors in his kitchen. We provided a custom, three-panel multislide system with an unusual quirk — the middle panel is actually larger than the two side panels, per the client’s request.

Upon our recommendation, Meyer Guild provided an exceptional installation job, even expanding the opening by one foot to allow more light to enter the kitchen. What a transformation! Check out the before photos to see just how much of an impact this minor renovation had. Summers can now be spent moving fluidly between the outdoor patio and the interior living space, and by replacing the dated, divided light door configuration that previously existed, the home has a fresh new look with a massively improved view of the expansive backyard.

The owner was positively thrilled with the final result, saying it completely exceeded their expectations and was a wonderful experience from start to finish. We encourage homeowners to consider buying new window and door systems directly from us — our network of trusted installers can tackle the job no problem, saving you the headache of finding & dealing with multiple contractors and ensuring an easy, breezy home improvement.

LOCATION: Naperville, Illinois

GC: Meyer Guild
PRODUCT SUPPLIED: LaCantina Doors

Crushed by Giants Brewery – Chicago

How awesome does the new Crushed by Giants brewery on Michigan Avenue look?

We were thrilled to provide reclaimed Chicago common brick — cut thin — as well as new-but-rusticated “Embarcado” thin brick by McNear Brick & Block to the interior of this hot new spot for craft beer in Streeterville. Installation of this job was super quick, thanks to the use of Glen-Gery thin tech panels!

Breweries are some of our favorite clients… and not just because visiting the finished product involves throwing back a cold one! 😉 We have a rich history of brewing, taverns, and beer in the Midwest, and it’s awesome to see that legacy built into the architecture of this generation’s brewers.

LOCATION: 600 N. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

ARCHITECTS: 555 International, OKW Architects
GC: Macon Construction Group, Inc.
INSTALL: Bourbon Tile & Marble, Inc.
PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: Reclaimed Chicago Commons, McNear Brick, Glen-Gery Thin-Tech panels

Jiffy Lube & Popeye’s – Huntley, IL

We are proud to have supplied the masonry to this sharp-looking new retail complex in Huntley, Illinois. Röben “Oslo Pearl White Smooth” thin brick mounted on Glen-Gery Thin Tech panels lent a crisp, clean, unified aesthetic to two standalone buildings within the same development, one home to a Jiffy Lube and one to a Popeyes location.  This brick veneer system installs super quick, and is an economic and efficient way to create visual harmony across a large retail cluster.

Accent columns and areas using unique masonry allowed for subtle customization of each structure:
— For the Jiffy Lube, we also supplied “Bordeaux Creek Old Country Ledge” by  Prestige Stone Products.
ARCHITECT: Design West Architects
MASON: Jason the Mason

— For the Popeyes, McNear “Flagstaff” was used, as well as “Faro Grey Smooth,” another Röben color.
ARCHITECT: AKA Architects
MASON: EIFS Specialties

Check out the construction photos here to see some images showing the thin brick before and after mortar application.

Lakeview Residence – Chicago

The architecture of Howe Street in Lincoln Park is getting even more noteworthy this year with the impending completion of this modern brick masterpiece. An impressive design-build job by Casagrande, this house is just a few properties north of the following project we did:

Black Brick Weave Residence — D Space Studio

This home also incorporates some unique masonry details — check out the “jack arches” above the top row of windows. Unlike regular arches, jack arches aren’t curved at the bottom, but instead flat across. Each brick is uniquely wedge-shaped to fit within the form, and the result is a much stronger, compressed alternative to a typical window lintel.

Bricks can be cut onsite to fit the arch, but in this case, we ordered custom brick shapes from the Watsontown factory instead. This handsome red brick color is called “Pennewine,” and was specifically chosen for its handcrafted, old-world look. The black and brown tones included are intentional, and created by the way the bricks are stacked and fired in the kiln.

LOCATION: Lincoln Park, Chicago

ARCHITECT/GC: Casagrande Architects
PRODUCT SUPPLIED: Wastontown Brick

Bethesda Rehab & Senior Care — Chicago

Back in 2016, we worked on this addition to the historic Bethesda Rehab & Senior Care center in Chicago’s picturesque Montclare neighborhood.

The oldest buildings onsite date back back to 1911 and 1925, purpose-built at the time to provide care for the city’s aging Norwegian immigrants. With each expansion over the past century, the nonprofit has taken care to respect the architecture of the original structures. So — when it came time to enlarge the center’s growing physical rehab facilities and build a new, dedicated eastern entrance — it was no surprise that high-quality brick would be needed.

Drawing inspiration from the countless 1920s Chicago properties featuring distinctive olive-green glazed brick and crisp white terracotta details, the architects for Bethesda’s expansion incorporated these locally significant colors & materials into the centerpiece of their new design. It took a considerable amount of experimentation, but our friends at Seneca Tiles were eventually able to create a custom glaze color perfectly reminiscent of the era! We provided these one-of-a-kind bricks to the project along with affordable “Almond” and “Cedar” Interstate Brick for the street-facing elevations.

It was an honor to help bring this period-appropriate addition to life, and to kick off another century of growth for this celebrated senior living complex.

LOCATION: 2833 N Nordica Ave, Chicago, IL 60634

ARCHITECT: C.C Hodgson Architectural Group
GC: Safeway Construction + Weis Builders

PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: Interstate Brick

Carpenter Residence – Chicago

We were so excited to work on our first stateside Poesia Glass brick project! Notable for being artisanal and handmade, fully customizable to the project, and ultra shiny crystal clear, these glass bricks are most definitely not in the same category as the mottled cubes fitted into basement window openings citywide. In fact… these are the kinds of bricks you want front and center.

Project lead Matt Wilke of LG Construction opted to place them in an alley-facing window, giving the dining room space inside ample natural light while also obscuring inhabitants from the scrutiny of passerby. Check out Poesia’s website or Instagram for more examples of the many diverse applications, custom colors/shapes/textures, and novel uses of this extraordinary product.

LOCATION: Bucktown, Chicago

GC/DEVELOPER: LG Construction & Development
MASON: Diamond Masonry
PRODUCT SUPPLIED: Poesia Glass Brick

Burling Remodel — Chicago

When the new owners of this historic Lakeview property embarked on a gut-rehab of their home, they made sure to design a cozy and relaxing backyard to go with the updated interior!

In sunny summer weather, the indoor living room can be seamlessly connected to the elevated outdoor patio by way of this three-panel folding door system. The combined hangout areas gain a feeling of added spaciousness, while bugs can be kept at bay thanks to the integrated Centor bug screen hidden in one side of the opening.

Knowing winter temperatures would arrive eventually, these homeowners opted for “Contemporary Clad” LaCantina Doors — the wood construction offers superior insulation and energy efficiency, while the aluminum-clad exterior resists weather damage and offers a sleek, modern look. Four years later, these doors still look great in all four seasons!

ARCHITECT: Robert J. Neylan Architects
GC: Product Construction

PRODUCT SUPPLIED: LaCantina Doors, Centor

UIUC College of Engineering – Champaign, IL

Our project for the Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is nearing completion!

We provided Interstate  2.25×16” Atlas structural brick in two different textures of the “Copperstone” color, which is highlighted by a unique bond pattern that creates a zipper-like illusion running up the wall.

This contemporary masonry design looks like it takes some inspiration from a Chicago classic, if you ask us — back in the 1920s, the popular “scratch and smooth” brick texture, which alternates two textures on one brick, created the illusion of a checkerboard on numerous local residences. It’s nice to see this 100-year old brick design technique seeing new interpretations!

Check back soon for completed project photos.

Read the project announcement here.
Read more about the project on The News-Gazette.

LOCATION: Wright St & Springfield Ave, Champaign, IL 61820

ARCHITECT: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
GC: Pepper Construction
MASON: Otto Baum Company
PRODUCT SUPPLIED: Interstate Brick

Roots Pizza South Loop – Chicago

This once empty lot in the landmarked Printer’s Row district is now alive and bustling, courtesy of a new construction project that blends perfectly with the historic character of the surrounding neighborhood!

The new 2-story location of Roots Pizza features bright graffiti, a retractable roof, 400 seats, and a 21+ rooftop “canopy” area, bringing some much-needed nightlife to this pocket of the South Loop. The old-world aesthetic of the classic red-brown “Ironstone” Interstate brick we provided  is complimented by the use of sleek and modern bifolding LaCantina Doors. The thermally broken folding doors used on this project were custom made with SDL (simulated divided light) bars to evoke the window appearance of the late 19th century buildings across and up the street.

Read more about the location on Eater Chicago.
Read more on Block Club Chicago.
See more photos on LG’s website.

LOCATION: 744 S Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60605
This property is part of the PRINTING HOUSE ROW DISTRICT.
To learn more about the area’s history, click here.

ARCHITECT: Myefski Architects
GC: LG Construction

PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: Interstate Brick, LaCantina Doors

Lakefront Cottage – Lanark, IL

Waterfront property just isn’t the same without the right windows to enjoy it! Several products made by Centor USA allowed this lakefront getaway to become the perfect four seasons space.

The client first installed a set of folding windows with integrated bug screen, allowing an upper-level sunroom to open up to the elements in nice weather. They were so pleased with their first round of windows that they went on to order four giant sliding doors from us as well! Recently installed, these four systems open the living room, master bedroom, and lower level family room out to the gorgeous backyard patio. Integrated screens were included, as well as a blackout shade in the master bedroom.

Purchasing the fenestration directly from us — and using one of our recommended installers (Meyer Guild) — kept the renovation process simple and streamlined.

LOCATION: Lanark, Illinois
PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: Centor USA folding windows, sliding doors, and integrated screens + shades
INSTALLER: Mark Roman + Meyer Guild

Lou Malnati’s – Various Locations

Bricks Incorporated has been proud to supply Chicago-born pizza chain Lou Malnati’s with a steady supply of our reclaimed common brick! The uniquely regional flavors of this legendary deep dish pizza pairs perfectly with the uniquely regional colors of our homegrown brick.

As long as Lou Malnati’s keeps building new restaurants, we’ll be here to supply the brick. Check back for new images as this collaboration continues. Locations designed by Knauer, Inc unless otherwise specified.

To see photos of our award winning Lincoln Avenue location, click here.

LOCATIONS:
Gold Coast — 1120 N State St, Chicago, IL 60610
Midway — 6456 S Cicero Ave, Chicago, IL 60638
Oak Park — 1038 Lake St, Oak Park, IL 60301
Oakbrook Terrace — 18W080 22nd St, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181 (under construction 2020)

Legacy Lincoln Square — Chicago

Brick AND fenestration? A match made in heaven! We supplied this multifamily condo building in Lincoln Square with all the exterior goodies it needed.

The operable casement windows throughout the project feature a primed wood interior, which allowed new residents to paint them the color of their choosing. On the outside, sleek black aluminum cladding resists weather damage and gives the structure a contemporary look. In addition to the excellent insulating properties of wood construction, these large windows are double-glazed with Argon gas to help keep out the Chicago cold.

For the 6 condo owners lucky enough to snag a unit overlooking Lincoln Avenue, we also supplied sliding patio doors with integrated screens! These 4-panel systems part in the middle and slide to either side for fluid access to the deck without having to sacrifice any precious outdoor space.

The result? Spacious, light-filled residences wrapped in handsome, “Ironstone Smooth” utility brick from Interstate Brick.

ARCHITECT: Hanna Architects
GC: Product Construction
MASON: ENZ Masonry

PRODUCTS INSTALLED: Interstate Brick, Sierra Pacific Windows

Aloft Mag Mile — Chicago

Aloft Hotels are known for their colorful, contemporary style and expansive, hangout-friendly lobby spaces. Given their focus on modern, urban design, it should come as no surprise that we’ve supplied La Cantina Doors for their properties here in Chicago!

When Aloft Chicago Mag Mile was constructed in 2018, the designers wanted a way to open up the ground floor bar and gameroom to the lively atmosphere of surrounding Streeterville. This 8-panel, thermally-controlled aluminum folding window system proved to be the perfect choice — during our seasonable summers, the panels can part in the middle and be pushed off to either side to allow fresh breezes into the room. Cocktail drinkers can pull a chair up to the windows and people watch to their heart’s content… while luring in curious passerby seeking the same kind of fun.

In the wintertime, the staff decorates the windows with season’s greetings and enticing invitations to check out what’s behind the glass. We love the way this feature allows playful interaction between neighborhood residents and short-term guests!

LOCATION: 243 East Ontario Street, Chicago, Illinois, USA, 60611

ARCHITECT: Valerio Dewalt Train
GC: Aecom
INSTALLER: Northern Glass Inc
PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: La Cantina Doors

2518 Residence — Chicago

Living in the heart of Chicago’s bustling Lincoln Park neighborhood has tons of benefits — you’re steps from many of the city’s best parks, cultural amenities, restaurants, and shops. But you’ll also have to put those dreams of an expansive, suburban-sized backyard on hold…

Fortunately for these homeowners, the crew at SPACE Architects knew a little trick to double the size of compact urban patio spaces. We supplied a set of bifolding LaCantina Doors to both the top floor and first floor of this single family home, allowing the residents to enjoy a seamless connection between indoor & outdoor areas.

At ground level, the folding doors connect an open concept kitchen and dining area to the two-level rear porch. Come summertime, with the doors open wide, food can approach the table from both the indoor oven and the outdoor built-in grill all at the same time.

Upstairs, the third-floor bonus room with kitchenette sits adjacent to a cozy, covered balcony. With this space sure to be the center of any get-together or party, folding the doors aside to combine these enviable hangout areas makes both rooms feel larger. We also love the choice to include a fireplace outside, extending the useable months of the treetop overlook!

Both systems feature LaCantina “Aliwood” construction: durable aluminum on the exterior, with Douglas Fir wood cladding inside (which the family painted white to match their decor).

LOCATION: Lincoln Park, Chicago

ARCHITECTURE: SPACE Architects
GC: Little Pink Houses LLC
MASON: EZ Masonry
PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: LaCantina Doors

1746 Residence — Chicago

This is the kind of before-and-after home makeover we love! The owners of this Wicker Park residence wanted a new solution for the fenestration connecting their patio space and living room. Bizarrely, the long wall between these hangout areas was built with two side-by-side sets of inswing-french doors, which congested the interior floor plan and limited the room’s furniture options.

The talented team at Meyer Guild combined both openings and installed a brand-new multislide system we provided from La Cantina Doors instead — it’s safe to say this change greatly improves upon the original design! The family can now neatly stack all 3 slidingdoor panels off to one side in nice weather, allowing for unrestricted flow between these communal spaces. Pocketdoors and sliding units are great for applications like these where bifolding “accordion-style” systems would take up too much real estate.

Best of all, it takes only seconds to pull the integrated S4 bug screen from Centor across the whole opening. The thermally-broken frame even traps heat inside during winter, while still offering floortoceiling views all year ’round.

LOCATION: Wicker Park, Chicago

INSTALLER: Meyer Guild
PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: Centor, LaCantina Doors

Wells Street Market — Chicago

As part of an enormous undertaking to overhaul the 1928 “Engineering Building” at the corner of Wacker & Wells in downtown Chicago, architecture firm Holabird & Root restored original elements of the historic first floor while adding tenant-pleasing modern amenities.

We were delighted to provide four sets of 13-foot-wide bifolding windows from LaCantina Doors to the street level façade, which were customized with SDL (simulated divided light) bars to help them blend in seamlessly with the rest of the Art Deco buildings’ details.

Patrons of the now-shuttered Wells Street Market Food Hall inside benefitted from the venue’s ability to open up the fenestration in nice weather, bringing warm summer breezes into the classy cocktail bar. While we hope the market is able to make a comeback post-pandemic, we know this awesome commercial space won’t remain vacant for long!

LOCATION: 205 W Wacker Dr #100, Chicago, IL 60606

ARCHITECT:  Holabird & Root
GC: 41 North Contractors, LLC
INSTALLER: Meyer Glass and Mirror

PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: LaCantina Doors

River North Loft — Chicago

Several years ago, we were thrilled to supply these custom bifolding LaCantina Doors to a homeowner remodeling their drool-worthy River North loft. Located just off the main hallway of the unit’s second level, the small office/den space was originally outfitted with a Shoji-style wooden sliding door to separate the room from the walkway. The new owners, seeking a more modern look, replaced this system with a bifolding door that can be collapsed against the wall on one side of the room for a seamless, airy connection to the unit’s public space.

But, not wanting to totally eliminate the area’s ability to function as a small bedroom, the folding doors were outfitted with white laminated privacy glass. When closed, passerby can easily mistake the sleek panels for a fixed wall — you’d almost never know there was another room hidden behind it!

LOCATION: River North, Chicago

ARCHITECT: Moss Architecture
GC: Mark Roman
PRODUCT SUPPLIED: LaCantina Doors

Francis Hall – Loyola University – Chicago

Join us in congratulating our friends at Solomon Cordwell Buenz for recently completing the new Francis Hall residence at Loyola Univesity‘s Lakeshore campus. We were thrilled to provide two colors of Interstate Brick to this project (lighter “Bronzestone” with darker “Ironstone” accents), as well as a number of special shapes custom-made by the factory.

Although this modern design, with its curved glass facade and a giant operable glass door on the ground floor, represents a new era of dormitories, the beautiful red brick masonry harkens back to the historic architecture found elsewhere on campus. We feel it’s a great addition to Rogers Park!

Read more about the project on SCB’s website.
Read more about the development on Loyola’s website.

LOCATION: 6314 N Winthrop Ave, Chicago, IL 60660

ARCHITECT: Solomon Cordwell Buenz
GC: Power Construction
MASON: Midwest Masonry
PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: Interstate Brick

Rustic Farmhouse – La Porte, IN

We simply adore how beautifully this rustic Indiana farmhouse turned out! Reclaimed Chicago common brick was the perfect choice for accents throughout the home, including three separate fireplaces and a garden greenhouse.

Choosing the perfect color of salvaged product often requires perusing and sampling a few different batches of brick. Since we reclaim and recycle from dozens of different demolition sites around the city each year, every pallet is a little unique. Graffiti, old advertisements, proximity to pollutants, exposure to the elements, and hundreds of other factors affect the final appearance of this vintage masonry.

Embracing the variety, this client looked at about 3-4 different offerings before settling on these gorgeous dark to medium pink tones. We also supplied firebrick by Sandkuhl, a dense, refractory material capable of withstanding extreme heat/cool cycles, for the interior of each fireplace.

See more photos of this project on the photographer’s website. 

LOCATION: La Porte, Indiana

BUILDER: Integrus Construction
EXTERIOR MASONRY: Hirsch Brick & Stone
PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: “Medium Pink” reclaimed, Sandkuhl firebrick

630 Arlington – Chicago

How great do these new Quaker Windows look? This rehabbed Chicago Landmark courtyard apartment building required 300 thermally broken aluminum windows made to fit the existing openings per Landmarks requirement. Our friends at Meyer Guild took on the job of installing them in 140 different openings.

Additionally, some of the beautiful exterior face brick needed to be replaced with a new, near-exact match, which the Ragland Brick factory was able to provide. It’s almost impossible tell where the brick was replaced, which is a success in our book!

LOCATION: 630 W Arlington Pl., Chicago, IL 60614
This property is part of the Arlington-Deming Historic District.
To learn more about the area’s history, click here.

ARCHITECT: Space Architects + Planners
DEVELOPER: ICM Properties
INSTALLER: Meyer Guild
PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: Ragland Brick, Quaker Windows

Limewash Residence – Chicago

How’s this for an amazing transformation? The new owners of this Wicker Park single family home opted to replace their aging, historically inappropriate vinyl siding with double-dipped McNear “Limehouse” thin brick. Believe it or not, there’s a red brick under those two coats of limewash!

Initially, these easy-going homeowners sought out a pure white brick, but ended up using this rustic alternative instead. Notes of the red brick subtly peek through the lime, giving the residence an old world flavor. These bricks were attached using metal thin brick panels, and will be sealed soon to protect the wash and allow for easy maintenance. Contrary to popular belief, siding is actually more expensive to take care of over time than masonry!

See more before & after images here.

GC: D. Jones Construction, LLC (woman-owned!)
Mason: David Munoz
Products Supplied: McNear Brick “Limehouse” brick (double-dipped)

Fairfield Inn – Des Plaines, IL

Late this summer we put the finishing touches on a brand new Fairfield Inn by Marriott Hotels in Des Plaines.

We supplied Mountain Stone Veneerstone in the “Drake’s Creek” color, as well as Metro thin brick in two alternating colors (“Schoolhouse Red” and “Brownstone Flashed”) along the base of the building.

Both of these brands excel in ready availability and affordability — perfect for a hotel project that’s gone from groundbreaking to realization in just under a year.

LOCATION: 2350 Mannheim Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60018

GC: Pancor Construction
PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: Mountain Stone Veneerstone, Metro Brick

Orkenoy Brewery – Chicago

New Kimball Arts Center tenant, Ørkenoy Brewery, majorly revamped the back wall of this former Humboldt Park industrial space. Once home to a plastics manufacturer, the building now sits immediately adjacent to the graffiti-decorated walls of the 606.

New LaCantina Doors and a couple of sliding Quaker Windows open the space up to the greenbelt next door, inviting thirsty bikers to drop in.

Reclaimed Brick Residence – River Forest, IL

This single family residential project in River Forest juxtaposes a contemporary home style and modern metal roof with traditional exterior materials – in this case, some beautiful “Medium Pink” reclaimed Chicago Common brick.

The homeowner was drawn to using reclaimed brick for its unique texture and color pallet. Fortunately, the architects at Moment Design and Steve from Mondo Builders knew the perfect place to source it! The homeowners, builder, and architect all visited our Chicago yard to view samples, and appreciated the opportunity to see, feel, and compare colors of the available stock in person. The 3/8″-size mortar joints were chosen based entirely on seeing the mockup panels in real life – initial drawings originally planned for a larger joint, but the aesthetics just worked better with the smaller size.

Two different batches of reclaimed brick were ultimately used, but the difference is imperceptible thanks to careful brick selection and matching in the field.

Location: River Forest, Illinois

Architect: Moment Design
Builder: Mondo Builders
Mason: B&G Masonry

PRODUCT SUPPLIED: Reclaimed Chicago Commons (Medium Pink)

Wilmot Residence – Chicago

This Wicker Park single family home is nearing completion! We provided Jeld-Wen Epic series windows with integrated Centor Screens for over 25 openings on this massive project.

Location: Wicker Park | Chicago, IL

General Contractor: Soffer Construction
Architect: Massey Associates Architects

Product Manufacturer:
Jeld-Wen Windows Epic Series
Centor integrated screens

Like this project? Check out a similar design we worked on, also using reclaimed brick, right next door! 

Quinn Chapel – Chicago

In 2020, Quinn Chapel said goodbye to their 129-year-old wireglass windows in lieu of some new, long-lasting Jeld-Wen Custom Series windows.

The new windows are aluminum-clad wood windows that will be easier and more cost-effective to maintain over time… plus, they allow for a LOT more light and visibility.

A Chicago Landmark since 1977, the new windows had to be within 1/4″ of the original glass size to meet landmark requirements. We even furnished a custom recreation of the original trim!

Quinn Chapel was built in 1891, by ecclesiastical architect Henry F. Starbuck, as the new home for Chicago’s oldest African-American congregation. Throughout its history it has hosted a who’s-who of famous orators, including MLK, Booker T. Washington, Frederick Douglass, and presidents Taft and McKinley!

See more pictures on JAQ Corp’s Instagram posts #1 and #2.

Almost a decade ago, we worked with JAQ Corp to restore the masonry on Quinn’s south elevation. We are thrilled to be a continuing part of this historic property’s restoration journey.

Location: 2401 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
Architect: JAQ Corp International
Window Install: Meyer Guild
Products Supplied: Jeld-Wen Custom Series

905 W Fulton – Chicago

After much back and forth between the architect, Chicago Landmarks staff, and the developer, 905 W. Fulton’s adaptive reuse + new construction project is complete!

Two older buildings along Peoria Street were restored to their former glory using custom-sized McNear Brick handmade to match the existing brick. The first, at 222 N Peoria, once occupied by John R. Morreale meat processors, was gutted and renovated inside and out. The second, a smaller  loading dock facility just to the north, was demolished with the facade retained ― a process known as a “facadectomy“.

Finally, a new four-story building was built at the corner of Fulton & Peoria. For the new portion, a red, 3 brick tumbled blend from Watsontown was mocked up for approval by the architects and Landmark staff. Watsontown Brick specializes in making new bricks that can match the architectural character, wear, and variety of historic bricks.

See more photos and read more about the project here.
Watch the process unfold by viewing this property on Google Streetview and dragging the slider back in time!

Check out more great photos on the builder’s website.
Read more about the sale of this property.

Location: 905 W Fulton, Chicago, IL 60607
This property is part of the Fulton Market Historic District.
To learn more about the area’s history, click here.

Architect: Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture
Builder: Summit Design + Build
Developer: Thor Equities
Mason: Molloy Masonry
Products Supplied: McNear Brick, Watsontown Brick

Starbucks @ Ogilvie Transportation Center – Chicago

The design of a food court stall for a nationwide coffee chain may not immediately inspire vision boards of masonry products, but creative thinking made this Starbucks location inside Ogilvie Transportation Center really sparkle.

The architects at NORR were looking for a unique store appearance that could be installed in a short period of time. Rainscreen products immediately emerged as a possibility, with the Komproment Vidar “Chelsea” tile system + black clay shingles becoming the eventual selection. This clever, exterior-as-interior solution adds sophistication and class to the location, giving the illusion of a standalone store despite its containment within the dining area of the busy train station.

Location: 500 W Madison | Chicago, IL

General Contractor: Jirsa Construction
Architect: NORR

Product Manufacturer:
Komproment tile system
Roben clay shingles

1001 W Fulton Market – Chicago

Located in the heart of the Fulton Market district stands an exciting new building that adds its own unique look to the culture of this area.

Vequity, the developer, was inspired by local architecture. By incorporating Morin waterstruck brick and historic-style windows from Quaker, the building blends into the rich built history of the Fulton Market area. Bricks Incorporated and its sister company, Fenestration Solutions Inc, became a one-stop shop for the building’s masonry and window needs.

Morin black select waterstruck brick in Modular and Norman sizes appear on the front and side facades. Interstate thin brick in Ironstone and Black Opal colors make up the back and upper floors. The folding door systems on the first floor are manufactured by LaCantina, allowing the majority of the front and side facades to completely open up.

For the second, third, and fourth floor windows, Vequity chose historical series windows (H600) manufactured by Quaker. With its completion in 2020, 1001 W Fulton Market has become another great new building in this ever-growing area.

Location: 1001 W Fulton Market | Chicago, IL

Developer: Vequity
Architect: Ilekis Associates
Mason: Four Province
Window / Door Installer: Meyer Guild

Brick Manufacturers:
Interstate Brick Company
Morin Brick

Window/Doors:
Fenestration Solutions, Inc
Quaker Windows
LaCantina Doors

Summit Design + Build HQ – Chicago

It’s an exciting day when you get the call that one of your frequent project collaborators is planning to construct a new building for themselves!

We teamed up with Summit Design + Build and HPA Architects to supply 2.25×16” Atlas structural brick by Interstate for Summit’s new corporate headquarters in Fulton Market. With such close proximity to other buildings, the 4-hour fire rating of Atlas brick proved to be the perfect choice for the building’s east and west walls. In fact, the sides of the structure are entirely supported by this heavy duty reinforced brick.

The attractive five-story structure additionally uses two different Endicott ironspot bricks on the façade. Interestingly enough, the building is also the first example of mass timber construction to be built in Chicago in over 50 years! Said Summit company president Adam Miller, “The project really echoes the neighborhood’s history when it was a meatpacking district and the majority of the buildings were made of raw milled heavy timber construction.”

Read more about the project here.

LOCATION: 1036-40 W Fulton, Chicago, IL 60607
This property is part of the Fulton Market Historic District.
To learn more about the area’s history, click here.

ARCHITECT: Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture, Eastlake Studio
GC: Summit D+B
MASON: W.B.F. Construction (minority & veteran-owned!)
PRODUCT SUPPLIED: Interstate Brick, Endicott Brick

Lathrop Homes – Chicago

We pride ourselves on being experts in historic brick matching projects — which is why we were so excited to get a frantic call from one of the architects tasked with sourcing a Landmarks-approved brick match for the legendary Lathrop Homes.

The Lathrop Homes, named for social reformer Julia Clifford Lathrop, was one of the Chicago’s first public housing projects. Built by the Public Works Administration in 1938, the architects responsible were a 20th-century dream team. Led by legendary residential architect Robert S. De Golyer, the team also included Prairie architects Tallmadge & Watson, Frank Lloyd Wright protégés Charles White and E.E. Roberts, Hugh M.G. Garden, Hubert Burnham (son of Daniel), and a masterful, sprawling landscape design by field pioneer Jens Jensen.

The complex was constructed on the heels of the Arts & Crafts architectural era, and each building’s design varies slightly as a result. Although visually unified through their overall shape, size, and brick color, detailing on the building comes from a range of styles including Prairie, Art Moderne, and Colonial Revival.

Brick matching on this job, required for repairs and infill, proved to be especially difficult. After 25+ weeks of perfecting the color blend, we ended up providing a custom, slightly different blend percentage of three different bricks for each individual building! The results are so good… you can barely tell where we supplied bricks (job well done).

This project is ongoing, with the first phase completed in 2019, rehabbing 16 of the original 32 buildings. Read about the ongoing redevelopment plans for other portions of the complex on bKL’s website.

Read more about the complex’s 2007 demolition threat.
Read more about the history and view historic photos here.
Read the profile in Architect Magazine.

AWARDS:
— AIA Chicago 2020 Design Excellence Award
— Landmarks Illinois Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award for Rehabilitation 2020
— ENR Midwest Best Projects Award for Residential/Hospitality 2020

LOCATION: 2000 W Diversey Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60614
This property is part of the National Register of Historic Places.

DEVELOPERS: Related Midwest, Heartland Housing, Bickerdike Redevelopment Corp
ARCHITECTS: Harley Ellis Devereaux, bKL Architecture, Juan Gabriel Moreno Architects
GC: Lendlease
HISTORIC CONSULTANTS:  McGuire Igleski, MacRostie Historic Advisors
LANDSCAPE: Michael Van Valkenburgh Architects
PLANNING: Farr & Associates
PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: Watsontown Brick, Continental Brick

Scientel Solutions HQ – Aurora, IL

We love a good raked mortar joint! This clean and subtle technique makes the brick positively pop.

The new building for Scientel Solutions out in Aurora, Illinois uses a unique size from Interstate Brick: 2.25” x 16” in the enduringly popular Platinum grey color. Long-format bricks give a great sense of horizontality to buildings, and can be a cost-effective way to build (less bricks per sqft = less money)!

Read more about the project here!
Or look at the architectural writeup on Archello.

LOCATION: 2021 N Eola Rd, Aurora, IL 60502

MASON: Joe’s Masonry
GC/ARCHITECT: Cordogan Clark
PRODUCT SUPPLIED: Interstate Brick

Happy Camper Wrigleyville — Chicago

Happy Camper’s Wrigleyville location is a multistory bar and restaurant prominently located along Clark Street’s nightlife strip. Utilizing five large-scale systems from LaCantina Doors, the lines between indoor & outdoor space are thoroughly blurred at this camping-themed pizzeria.

On the ground floor, the street-facing patio can be integrated into the main dining area thanks to two sets of  bifolding doors — each measuring over 22 feet wide! Towards the rear of the property, the intimate courtyard space features ample greenery and dappled sunlight. A super-cool “Zero Post” configuration allows the L-shaped walls of this cozy area to fold away & out of sight.

Up on the second floor, a smaller set of folding doors connects the secondary bar station to the rooftop deck. Wrapping around the first-floor patio like a balcony, guests enjoying the top floor are treated to a bird’s eye view of the lively streetscape and the patrons dining below.

This being Chicago and all, it’s inevitable that winter will strike again. That’s why each door system pictured here uses thermally-controlled glass to keep the cold out. Short of building your establishment in Florida, this is the best year-round, outdoor-infused space you could ask for!

LOCATION: 3458 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657

ARCHITECT: Thomas Montgomery
INSTALLER: R&R Glass
PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: LaCantina Doors

Sacred Learning Center — Lincolnwood, IL

Over the years, we’ve worked on countless churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples — from new construction projects to brick matching for repairs and expansions. One notable example is the Sacred Learning Center of Lincolnwood. We provided about 50,000 pieces of “Wheatland Velour” from Brampton Brick for the endeavor, which served a particularly notable role… soon after the material delivery, the center held a brick dedication ceremony where community members wrote tributes and names on the backs of the bricks used in construction. (Truly an amazing idea!)

Today, the structure serves as a mosque and educational center for the Muslim community. The center is open to the public, offering ample opportunities to learn about the Islamic faith, as well as Arabic language and calligraphy classes.

LOCATION: 3900 W. Devon Ave., Lincolnwood, IL 60712

ARCHITECT: Hynes Associates Architects
MASON: A. Horn Masonry
PRODUCT SUPPLIED: Brampton Brick

HackHaus — Chicago

Long-time Uptown residents might recognize this little piece of Broadway as the former home of A-Z Wallis Army Navy Surplus. From 1969 to 2014, the legendary  retail store offered  Chicagoans one-of-a-kind shopping, ultimately closing upon the retirement of the second-generation owner. The years had not been particularly kind to the 1905  building, whose painted and deteriorating  façade had, at one point, been clad in metal siding.

Fortunately for all involved, the history-loving crew at Formed Space took over the massive responsibility of restoring the  masonry storefront to its turn-of-the-century glory. Bricks Inc worked to supply Landmarks-approved “Red Dieskin” McNear Brick and replacement  terracotta, while we provided a suite of refreshed  fenestration from Jeld-Wen. Traditional “Chicago-style”  windows were installed on the upper floor (consisting of a large fixed  window with operable  casements on either side for ventilation), and huge  modern units on the ground level entice passerby to peek inside at the new coworking space inside. Best of all? Argon-filled, double-glazed  glass keep the space inside warm and  energy-efficient all year round.

If you’re looking to escape the sometimes-maddening confines of your  home office, swing by for a tour of Hack Haus‘s  offices and  rooftop hangout space! Make sure to take the time to appreciate the  salvaged  tin ceiling and other relics of the building’s past… truly a job well done.

LOCATION: 4649 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640

Read more about the project on Formed Space’s website and blog.

ARCHITECT: MDT Architects
GC: Formed Space
PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: Jeld-Wen windows, McNear Brick

The Warbler — Chicago

We absolutely love a divided light window — whether it’s a “true divided light,” where the mullions separate small, individual panes of glass, or a “simulated divided light,” where one pane of glass is embellished with faux mullions to replicate the real thing — the finished product beautifully recalls the aesthetic of a time gone by.

Several years ago, we provided these awesome custom LaCantina Doors and double hung  JELD-WEN windows to beloved Lincoln Square restaurant The Warbler. Inspired by the look of “dappled sunlight through treetops,” designer  Leah  Ogden turned to divided lights to achieve the desired effect. From the traditional windows on the front façade, to the contemporary swing door and sliding doors leading out to the eatery’s patio, we ensured that the fenestration from both manufacturers matched perfectly.

Finding inspiration for your home or hospitality project online is a great way to clarify your design goals, but having a conversation with a sales representative can really help you understand the realm of what’s possible. We learn the brands & their bespoke capabilities so you don’t have to! Send us your  moodboard and we’ll take it from there.

LOCATION: 4535 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625

ARCHITECT: Space Architects + Planners
GC : Urban Innovations
INTERIOR DESIGN: Leah Elizabeth Ogden
PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: Custom LaCantina Doors

 

Green Line Performing Arts Center — Chicago

A historic corner of Chicago’s Washington Park neighborhood — once home to popular 1940s jazz music venue Rhumboogie Café — is now thriving again thanks to this marvelous 2018  adaptive reuse project designed by Morris Architects & Planners.

Like many properties adjacent to Chicago L stations, this one originally featured a small, one-story  retail building dating back to the early 20th century. Four  storefronts offered decades of commuters passing through the landmarked Garfield Green Line station convenient necessities and ways to pass the time. By 2015, the last of the businesses had closed, leaving the entire  building as vacant as its neighboring lots.

But where others saw decay, artist Theaster Gates and his organization Arts + Public Life saw possibility. Through a partnership with the University of Chicago, the property was retrofitted into a state-of-the-art theatre venue known today as the Green Line Performing Arts Center. We were honored to supply Gates’ signature 100% recycled black Greenleaf Brick to the project, which was artfully laid in an eye-catching design to unify the structure’s street-facing exterior. Protruding headers at the top complement a perforated brick screen below; careful planning allowed for this unique pattern to be created using solid 12-inch “Norman”-sized units.

Aesthetic improvement wasn’t all this exciting development brought to its neighborhood, either. It’s open for rehearsals & performances by small ensembles and South Side artists, it offers a gathering space to the community, and paid training opportunities are available to help locals learn skills in venue  operations and theatre tech.

See another project we did with this unique material here.

AWARDS:
— 2020 AIA Chicago Small Project Award

LOCATION: 329 E Garfield Blvd, Chicago, IL 60637

ARCHITECT: Morris Architects & Planners
GC: Powers & Sons Construction
MASON: Larmco Masonry Company
PRODUCT SUPPLIED: Theaster Gates‘ brick (made by Greenleaf Brick)

Chicago + Main — Evanston, IL

A quick look at Chicago’s skyline might convince you there are only two kinds of architecture: glassy modernism and masonry-clad traditionalism. But that’s hardly the case! We love when designs blend these two seemingly disparate materials into one cohesive creation — something the team at GREC Architects does with a practiced expertise.

This 105-unit multifamily residential building at Chicago + Main in Evanston looks to the future with its zig-zagging façade of floor-to-ceiling fenestration, but grounds itself amongst the suburb’s ample turn-of-the-century structures thanks to pleasingly articulated brickwork. Alternating bands of soldier and stretcher courses help break up the massing and create visual interest, while the choice of warm grey and shiny black brick feels sleek and contemporary.

We provided the enduringly popular “Platinum” color from Interstate Brick for the commercial and retail platform at the base of the tower; Manganese Ironspot from Endicott Brick was used for the upper floors. The eye-catching result is LEED Certified “Silver” for energy efficiency, and one we love to admire anytime we head up north!

LOCATION: 847 Chicago Ave, Evanston, IL 60202

ARCHITECT: GREC Architects
GC: Power Construction
MASON:J & E Duff
PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: Interstate Brick, Endicott Brick

2244 Residence — Chicago

Chicago is fortunate to have thousands and thousands of historic homes, and plenty of history lovers who want to live in them! Built in the late 19thcentury, this Lakeview property was built to last with sturdy walls of local common brick.

Unfortunately, at some point in the mid-20th century, this charming little house fell prey to the plague of “formstone“. Filmmaker John Waters once called this cracker-like material — made of shale, lime, and water pressed into molds — the “polyester of brick,” and it was marketed to homeowners as a “maintenance-free” way to modernize vintage buildings. Yikes!

As you might imagine, formstone and its co-conspirators (looking at you, faux brick asphalt siding, aka “Inselbric”) weren’t the forever fix they promised to be. The material quickly fell out of fashion, and most applications aged poorly and damaged the underlying masonry.

The story of this residence has a happy ending, however! In 2014, its new owners painstakingly removed the aging synthetic facade and replaced it with a carefully selected batch of our “Medium Pink” reclaimed brick. Restored to its former glory with an age-appropriate material matching the structure’s original design, this beautiful home makeover allows us to forget its decades of distress!

LOCATION: Lakeview, Chicago
ARCHITECT: SPACE Architects + Planners
GC: Tercon Builders
INSTALLER: The Dream Wall Inc
PRODUCT SUPPLIED: Reclaimed “medium pink”

 

“Unraveling Modern Living” @ The Graham Foundation (2019 Chicago Architecture Biennial)

In 2019, we were thrilled to supply brick & pavers to an art installation at the Graham Foundation by Mexico City-based architect Tatiana Bilbao. Titled “Unraveling Modern Living,” the multidisciplinary site-specific exhibition featured modular furniture, an elaborate 1,000sf garden design, and thoughtful reconfigurations of the Foundation’s Madlener House rooms to promote conversation, community, and learning among visitors.

Crafted in conjunction with the 2019 Chicago Architecture Biennial, Bilbao’s creation served as a meeting and gathering space for readings, children’s story time, movement classes, participatory performances, and other public programming.

From our vast collection of vintage brick stored here in the yard, we supplied tumbled thin brick pavers (1″ x 4″ x 8″) for the “indoor garden” arrangement. The bricks were artfully arranged in front of historic fireplaces among plants, seating, and volcanic boulders. For Bilbao’s outdoor garden, we supplied Roman-size “Elizabeth Red” recycled Greenleaf Brick for a series of brick carpets installed among native plant species.

Read more about the piece on the Graham Foundation’s website.
Read more about the artist on her website.

LOCATION: 4 West Burton Place, Chicago, Illinois 60610
EXHIBITION ON DISPLAY: September 16, 2019 — January 11, 2020*

PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: Greenleaf Brick, Tumbled Thin Brick Pavers 1x4x8

3820 Residence – Chicago

With Chicago residences, backyard space is at a premium. That’s why we love to see bifolding door systems integrated into living areas! In less than a minute, the doors to your patio or yard area can fully retract, allowing for a seamless transition between indoors and out.

This clever design by Space Architects makes use of a Centor folding door system, complete with integrated bug screen. Warm, reclaimed Chicago common brick used on the home’s exterior and garage give this ultra-modern design a tasteful connection to the area’s history.

See more photos on the architect’s website.

ARCHITECT: Space Architects
GC: Midwest Heritage Builders
INSTALLER: Meyer Guild
MASON: SM Masonry
PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: Centor Doors & Screens, Reclaimed “Full Range” Chicago Common brick

Tied House @ Schuba’s – Chicago

When legendary Lakeview music venue Schuba’s made plans to construct a new sister restaurant to the south, we knew we had to get involved somehow. After all, the longstanding business is nearly inseparable from its distinctive, patterned masonry building emblazoned with terracotta emblems of Schlitz Beer! The resulting, two-story dining addition proved a perfect compliment to the existing 1903 corner building, a masterful blend of old and new by the minds at Gensler.

In merging the two structures, the architects built a glass-encased courtyard for use as patio dining in the warmer months. The restaurant, dubbed Tied House (a nod to the turn-of-the-century brewery/tavern system popular in Chicago, to which the establishment owes its existence) needed a way to seamlessly merge their interior dining room with this outdoor terrace.

Wanting floor-to-ceiling views across the space, but also seeking to maximize useable square footage within the compact property, the designers were looking for a tricky combination of features: ultra-large glass openings with ultra-thin sitelines. Fortunately, LaCantina Doors proved to be the perfect option! All of the huge, thermally controlled sliding panels fit within a slim 3″ threshold, keeping the door system compact while providing unbeatable performance during the chilly winter months.

LOCATION: 3159 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

See more photos on the GC’s website.
See more on the Architect’s website.
Read more on Eater Chicago.
See more on the installer’s website.

ARCHITECT: Gensler 
GC: Helios Construction
INSTALL: CW Kneeland
PRODUCT SUPPLIED: LaCantina Doors

Lakewood Residence – Chicago

We love a classic single-family home design made unique with a touch of creative brickwork! This property along North Lakewood street in Chicago glimmers in the sunlight due to the choice of iridescent “Bronzestone”color brick from Interstate. Standard, modular-size bricks were used on the street-facing elevation, while matching “Atlas” structural brick gives each side of the home a 4-hour fire rating.

Distinct herringbone patterns above each second-floor window were another thoughtful design choice by SPACE Architects.

LOCATION: Lakeview, Chicago

ARCHITECT: SPACE Architects
BUILDER: Axios Aquisitions, LLC
PRODUCT SUPPLIED: Interstate Brick

Tony’s Rooftop @ TimeOut Market – Chicago

TimeOut Chicago Market, a recent addition to Fulton Market’s food hall scene, opened with a bang in 2019. Topped by London-inspired watering hole Tony’s Rooftop Bar, the multi-level, atrium-style building features over 15 different restaurant stalls headed by some of Chicago’s best-known chefs.

The bar was made four-seasons friendly with the addition of five, thermally-controlled multi-slide door systems from LaCantina, allowing the fenestration opposite the counter to open fully up to the rooftop terrace.

As a contributing building to the Fulton Market Historic District, the project was initially designed to repurpose the late 19th-century building once occupying the site. Unfortunately, severe structural problems discovered during demolition prompted the rebuilding of the entire structure. The existing brick was salvaged and incorporated into precast exterior wall panels on the new design, which closely mimics the original.

Read more on the architect’s website.
Read Time Out’s feature on the market’s opening.

LOCATION: 916 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607
This property is part of the FULTON MARKET HISTORIC DISTRICT.
To learn more about the area’s history, click here.

ARCHITECT: OKW Architects
INSTALLER: Capitol Glass
PRODUCT SUPPLIED: LaCantina Doors

The “Spaceship” — Peoria, Illinois

Winter might be an unfortunate inevitability in the Midwest, but that doesn’t mean you have to settle for a fully enclosed space. Check out this gorgeous single family residence we worked on several years ago in Peoria, Illinois — floor-to-ceiling windows and huge bi-folding LaCantina Doors grace all three floors of this hilltop home. When the sun is shining, the patio doors can collapse to one side, allowing seamless passage between indoor and outdoor spaces. In the cooler months, thermal breaks and insulated glass keep the living spaces toasty warm!

We love the way the sleek and modern indoor pool connects to the expansive deck area through this set of folding doors. The flexibility of the fenestration allows for a quick transition from tranquil, relaxing spa to swanky, rooftop party experience! Even buggy days can’t keep these homeowners down, thanks to integrated Centor screens built into the sides of every opening.

ARCHITECT: David Spence
INSTALLER: Mark Roman
PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: LaCantina Doors, Centor

Taft Freshman Academy – Chicago

We are thrilled to highlight this beautiful labor of love — Taft Freshman Academy! Designed by STL Architects, the custom-built school was thoughtfully tailored to its high achieving 9th-grade student body. Each wing of the school is clad in distinctive brickwork, including two alternating, softly iridescent colors of long-format Interstate Brick (“Canyonstone” and “Ironstone”) .

The architects’ choice of 2-1/4″ x 16″ Emperor size brick gives the building a sleek, linear horizontality, and despite the extended size, we were pleased to be able to offer a product with superior FBX tolerances. Interstate was also more than capable of providing the numerous custom shapes required for the intricate masonry design, including acute angle bricks, radius bricks for curved walls, and special pieces made to hide the steel lintels above each doorway.

The final product is a stunning example of contemporary, Prairie-inspired school design, built on a piece of Chicago’s institutional past. It was an honor to be part of redeveloping the Reed-Dunning site, giving these hallowed grounds a bright future (and a LEED Gold Certification)!

LOCATION: 4071 N Oak Park Ave, Chicago, IL 60634

See more photos on the architect’s website.
Read more about this project on PBC’s website.

ARCHITECT: STL Architects
GC:  K.R. Miller Contractors, Inc.
MASON: All Masonry
PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: Interstate Brick

Smylie Brothers Brewery — Evanston, IL

Take a look at this renovation project we completed in Evanston, Illinois a few short years ago! Long home to a state unemployment office, this historic 1930 building underwent a massive makeover to become neighborhood hotspot Smylie Brothers Brewery!

Hospitality veterans Wrap Architecture spearheaded the changes, adding a second floor and patio space, making countless energy-efficient upgrades, and revealing the property’s signature bowstring truss roof structure previously hidden under a drop ceiling.

To ensure the small business could utilize the space at near-capacity in all four seasons, we provided six bifolding systems from LaCantina Doors: three sets to allow summer breezes to permeate the upper mezzanine level, and two connecting the first floor to the outdoor sidewalk cafe.

The result won a 2018 Small Project Award from AIA Chicago, and consistently tops the list of best beer gardens in the area. Next time you find yourself north of Chicago, be sure to stop by and have a drink for us!

Read more on the architect’s website.

LOCATION: 1615 Oak Ave, Evanston, IL 60201

ARCHITECT: Wrap Architecture
GC: LG Construction
INSTALLER: Mark Roman
PRODUCTS SUPPLIED: LaCantina Doors

Drummond Residence — Chicago