311 W Huron – Verso River North

Urban Innovations recognized an opportunity to enhance their commercial portfolio in the timber frame warehouse district in Chicago’s River North with a unique product for commercial tenants. With growing demand for leasable space in the desirable innovation hub, the vision was to convert a former parking lot into a ground up Class A office building catering to a new workplace generation. The densification strategy is part of The Verso Collection planned urban development.

As the Lead Architect, the design inspiration for the ground up 15-story structure was to break down the singular box form by positioning volumes within each other. A column-free, open-plan layout spans over 40 feet ensuring a spacious, airy feel. Expansive floor plates range up to 15,000 square-feet. The design team introduced a distinctive carved-out element of recessed, curving terraces on alternating floors, providing compelling exclusive outdoor spaces, complemented by a large common panoramic rooftop deck.

The exterior features a 2-story kinetic wall wrapped around two sides of the façade, adding a dynamic flair that appeals to commuters passing by on the elevated train. The wall hangs harmoniously alongside the refined material palette of glass, metal, vertical fins and copper-colored panels.

The interior design echoes residential and hospitality-like elements with multifunctional spaces, featuring a one-of-a-kind concierge desk that can double as a bar and event area. A plethora of amenities offer tenants choice throughout their day and foster a sense of community: tenant lounge, conference facility, indoor parking with EV chargers, bike parking and retail at ground level.

Successfully delivered, the development achieved a 2 Green Globes sustainability rating, reduces urban heat sinks and injects new life into the urban environment. This boutique structure was the second of two projects in collaboration with Urban Innovations for the planned development in River North; the initial project was 306 W Erie, a combined renovation and addition to an existing heavy timber structure to increase floor plate size and leasable commercial space.