Level was hired in 2016 by Steelbridge Capital to evaluate and suggest a series of interior and exterior improvements for a B-Class office building in Evanston, Illinois. After identifying the areas that required physical upgrades and maintenance, we established a menu of high-impact improvements, including opportunities to add value through improved design. Completed work focused on the ground floor, replacing a deteriorated plaza surface, improving exterior lighting, and updating the lobby. The sales price after improvements increased by $14.4 million from its purchase price two years prior.
The existing building was constructed in 1980 — a vast majority of it composed of exposed aggregate concrete. Our renovations included plaza redesign, landscaping, main lobby furniture replacement, and a signage/wayfinding program.
The demand for office space has been strong since the early 2000s, with the Northwestern Campus immediately to the north, and downtown Evanston two blocks to the west. The project is located on the corner of Davis Street and Hinman Avenue.
Our proposal included new outdoor furniture, such as bike storage racks, benches, planters, and large pendant globe light fixtures to enhance and brighten the colonnade surrounding the building.
"Your design and counsel really changed the face of this building and was a game-changer on maxing sale proceeds. We appreciate all you and your team at Level did for us.
-Gavin Campbell, Managing Principal, Steelbridge Capital
Level proposed a concept for a rooftop orchard, which would supply the tenants of the building with fresh fruit when in season. The large, flat, concrete reinforced roof would make a perfect green roof orchard with the addition of light-weight planting medium and trees.
Parking for the building is located on the second, third, and fourth floors. Level proposed recladding the parking garage in an applied screen, consisting of either vertical louvers or a perforated pattern that could be created using a number of graphic configurations. This effect would create a distinct and more contemporary base to the building and add visual interest to the bottom 45 feet of the structure, where the pedestrian experience is focused.
Finished lobby with new furniture, a textured feature wall, and a pop of color through the abstract area rug
Existing wood panels from a previous renovation remain, while the addition of pendant globes ties the lobby to the exterior colonnade and provides additional light in a previously dark corner.
Our approach focused on exterior placemaking and interior-to-exterior spatial transitions, as well as more contemporary building signage and graphics.
