Firm： Lamar Johnson Collaborative

Type： Commercial › Office

STATUS： Built

YEAR： 2021

SIZE： 100,000 sqft - 300,000 sqft

Communicating its sense of belonging through timeless architecture and sensitive, ingenious site development, Lamar Johnson Collaborative’s new structure at 448 N. LaSalle is certainly striking, yet it is a natural addition to Chicago’s vibrant River North neighborhood.

448 N. LaSalle welcomes tenants and visitors through its stylish entry beneath a dramatic partially cantilevered overhang on the east elevation. The 7,300 SF entry is a smart concierge space for transit-served tenants, with options for convenient retail services within the handsome, efficient interior. Rising above, the exterior of striking charcoal-black mullions and 2’ spandrel define a sleek, confident structure. Nearly floor-to-ceiling glass provides abundant daylight and expansive views, bringing energy and delight to the interior.

The retail and concierge entry level is appointed in metal, concrete, and steel. The modern urban aesthetic is carried into common spaces on tenant floors the rooftop amenity deck. There, tenants are treated to a private lounge, quiet room, fitness center, and a furnished penthouse great room with a kitchen. An open-air deck with wind screens is perfect for taking in stunning views. Tenant floorplates are efficient for planning interior office space thanks to the ideal 5’ curtainwall module, generous open spans, and offset core.

The benefits of LJC’s planning development are apparent, as challenges were projected and solved pre-construction. 3D modeling and renderings depicted site development solutions, interior spatial relationships, and all manner of details so successfully that they appear to be photographic images of the completed building. Extensive planning ensured that interior sightlines were maximized and appropriate access to city streets and alleyways was accommodated.

Ambitious project goals were achieved in 13 months, 30 days ahead of its original construction schedule, and the client’s expectations were surpassed despite an unforeseen challenge for the duration – the COVID-19 pandemic.