Chicago Office Tour

Visbeen Architects and GMBArchitecture + Engineering partner to service a wide variety of residential, commercial and higher education clients, creating custom & luxury solutions for all. In response to rising numbers of clientele in Chicago, our firm sought out space for a satellite office in the city. The acquisition of a newly renovated loft on Michigan Avenue brings the high quality services of Visbeen and GMB close to home for Chicagoans. Contract Interior designer, Josh Tremblay IIDA, will also use the office to reach out to local clients, making this extension a full-service hub for architecture and design in the Loop and in Illinois.

The loft is located in the revitalized South Loop on a strip of the famous avenue known as "Motor Row," being home to the country's first automotive factories. Situated on the third floor of the historic Kelly Tire factory building, the firm's live/work space was designed around the existing structure, utilizing exposed brick and original support steel beams. The factory's abandoned elevator shaft now serves as a bedroom loft. The ambience is rustic and sophisticated, with character to match this historically industrial district of Chicago.

The downstairs work space features a high-tech conference area surrounded by artful Visbeen renderings, along with a large desk for drawing and design workshops. State-of-the-art amenities can be found in the kitchen, which sits adjacent to the media room. The loft was outfitted by Crestron with a custom automated system, which syncs multi-media, climate, and light controls to digital panels throughout the space. iPhones and iPads can be docked in the wall to control the system along with the touch-screen TV in the kitchen.

Clients will find the space welcoming and inspiring as they meet one-on-one with the designers from the talented teams at GMB. The loft is also ideal for open houses, group meetings, and parties. Visbeen Architects and GMB Architecture + Engineering are enthusiastic about offering their award-winning design abilities to the greater Chicago area. 2251 South Michigan is where it can all begin.

 

Lake Home & Cabin Show: Chicago

It's the start of trade show season for us over here at Visbeen, and we are kicking this year off at Chicago's Lake Home & Cabin Show, which begins TODAY!  Now in its 9th year, the Lake Home & Cabin Show is Chicagoland's only show that specializes in vacation homes and the second home lifestyle.  If you own a lake home, cottage or cabin or you want to own one, this is a truly unique event you'll want to visit.  Exhibitors include builders, custom products, accessories and publications, sporting gear, outdoor and marine equipment, landscaping and lakeshore maintenance, and of course architects, like us!  Wayne will be there sketching LIVE, so if you are in the area this weekend, please stop by for your chance to have a design consultation with our firm.  The show details are as follows:

Visbeen Architects' booth: #404

Hours
Friday, February 22:  2pm-8pm
Saturday, February 23:  10am-6pm
Sunday, February 24:  10am-4pm

Location
Schaumburg Convention Center  |  Schaumburg, IL
1551 Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg, IL 60173

We look forward to a great show and seeing you there!

Lake Home & Cabin Show - Chicago

Are you going to be in the Chicago area this weekend? Stop by and see us at the Lake Home & Cabin Show at the Schaumberg Convention Center in Schaumberg, IL! We will have a booth there exhibiting among builders, realtors, landscapers, product displays, publications, sporting gear, outdoor equipment, marine items and more - there will be something there for everyone! Wayne will be sketching LIVE in our booth as well as presenting on Waterfront Design Friday, March 16 at 5:00pm and Saturday, March 17 at 11:00am on the Cabin Life Stage.

The show starts tomorrow and runs through Sunday with the following hours...

Friday, March 16....................2:00pm - 8:00pm

Saturday, March 17................10:00am - 6:00pm

Sunday, March 18...................10:00am - 4:00pm

We look forward to a great show!

Image Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rcktmanil/2589812354/sizes/o/in/photostream/

Music Lovers Dream of a Landmark's Transformation

While we wait in Grand Rapids for the 2 East Fulton building to undergo transformation and have new life breathed into it, music lovers are pushing for something similar to happen to a musical landmark in Chicago.

A South Michigan Avenue building had been dubbed the "home of the blues" and rock and roll. The building had housed a studio, which birthed the careers of blues artists such as Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, and Chuck Berry, which in turn inspired rock and roll artists such as Beatles, Eric Clapton, and Mick Jagger.

Currently, this building and the surrounding area, called "Motor Row," where life and inspiration had been flowing has been silent and isn't acknowledged or known by many locals, let alone out-of-towners. But music lovers who know and appreciate the musical history of the area are pushing for it to become a "bright spot" and regain vibrant activity.

While much more planning needs to be done before the area can really be transformed, a great start to bringing back some life has been the installment of Cheap Trick, "a one-of-a-kind eatery, unique musical instrument museum, radio station, and performance space." This lively place just so happens to be our wall neighbors at the Visbeen Associates Chicago office! We have a front row seat to watch Motor Row's transformation, and have the opportunity to infuse our inspiration and creativity into the area. You can be sure when you visit, you'll be able to experience the growth, too.

Check out the full article and news clip about the dreams and beginnings of development for Motor Row.

Chicago Office

As we announced last week, Visbeen Associates will be opening an office in downtown Chicago. Here is a first look at our space, located at 2251 S Michigan Ave, Suit 320, Chicago, IL 60616:

Exterior shot of the building - 2251 S Michigan Ave

Entry/lobby area with office on the right

View to the loft - first impression of the space

Open area with loft on the left, office below and kitchen to the right

Loft is an old elevator shaft with equipment still visible

Conference Room

View of McCormick Place out the window

Chicago-Bound

Chicago -- here we come! Visbeen Associates has decided to expand our business and open up an office in downtown Chicago. This new venture will allow us to service our Metro Chicago clients locally and hopefully will broaden our business into the surrounding areas of the midwest. Here is our Chicago contact information:

2251 S Michigan Avenue

Suite 320

Chicago, IL 60616

phone - 312.810.5669

Spread the word!