Repositioning Your Building: Maximizing Your Asset

REAL Chicago Members and guests enjoyed a presentation by speakers Sheryl Schulze and Brian Hungerford of Gensler. Sheryl and Brian shared that although many building tenants may be leaving the central business districts of a city or town (e.g., in Chicago many are leaving the Loop and relocating to the suburbs or areas like Fulton Market or Lincoln Yards), this is a great opportunity to reposition buildings – many of which are historic and have wonderful stories. The Chicago Post Office is a fitting example. These buildings are being reinvented and multiple amenities are being incorporated to make them more useful and attractive. Amenities like exterior space, wellness rooms (not just a fitness center), interactive multi-purpose kitchens to name a few. Regardless of whatever is being designed, the space needs to have a dual purpose because it will expire and needs to be able to morph into the next generation or make it more successful based on the tenants in the building.