Archive for the ‘Retail’ Category

Sullivan Center, Renovated by Leopardo, Wins Restoration Project of the Year

Tuesday, November 8th, 2011

CHICAGO, Illinois (November 8, 2011) – The Sullivan Center, formerly the Carson Pirie Scott building, recently received Landmark Illinois’ 2011 Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award for Restoration Project of the Year.

The juried award honors excellence in historic preservation. “The level of detail of this project sets the bar for future restoration projects of this scale,” stated the awards jury.

In 2007, Leopardo began gutting eight floors and 600,000 square feet of old retail space as the Sullivan Center began its interior repositioning by Joseph Freed & Associates into a modernized space for retail, commercial and educational tenants.

In 2010, Leopardo completed the interior build-out of 20,000-square-foot at the Sullivan Center for Walgreen Co’s first-ever downtown offices, which housed 65 marketing and technology employees.

In 2011, Leopardo managed nearly 150,000 square feet of white-box build-outs at the Sullivan Center for the retail spaces that would eventually house Target and DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse.

In addition to the Restoration Project of the Year, the Sullivan Center has earned 10 industry awards, including the Friends of Downtown 2010 Best Restoration Award and Landmark Illinois’ 2009 Outstanding Preservation Award.

Tags: Historic Renovation, leopardo, Renovation, Restoration, Sullivan Center
Posted in Awards + Recognition, Interiors, Retail

Leopardo Completes Margaritaville Bar & Grill at Navy Pier

Tuesday, July 5th, 2011

CHICAGO, Illinois (July 5, 2011) – Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bar & Grill chose the shores of Lake Michigan for its first Midwest location and Leopardo as its contractor to manage the 150-seat, 4,600-square-foot themed restaurant remodel at Navy Pier.

Taking over the space formerly occupied by Charlie’s Ale House, Leopardo completely remodeled the existing dining and kitchen facilities, including plumbing and mechanical systems. The restaurant features high-end millwork, an outdoor tiki bar with retractable awning and views of Lake Michigan.

“I couldn’t be more excited about Margaritaville arriving on the shores of Lake Michigan,” said Jimmy Buffett in a statement read during the ribbon cutting. “From my earliest days in the city playing the Quiet Knight on Belmont, to the pinnacle of live performances singing in front of the ivy wall at Wrigley Field, I have always thought of Chicago as a beach town – a pretty big one, but still a beach town. I am happy to call Navy Pier home to Margaritaville Bar & Grill.”

The restaurant officially opened for business on June 20. Below is a WBEZ 91.5 video from the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Bar and Grill opens at Navy Pier from WBEZ on Vimeo.

Tags: Jimmy Buffett, Margaritaville, restaurant construction
Posted in Interiors, Retail

Leopardo Completes World-Class Training Center and Showroom for Whirlpool Corporation

Thursday, December 16th, 2010

CHICAGO, Illinois (December 16, 2010) – Leopardo recently completed a 30,000-square-foot training center and showroom for Whirlpool Corporation in the historic Reid Murdoch Center.

Located at 325 N. LaSalle St., the space features working kitchens, laundry rooms, garages, outdoor entertainment area and flexible meeting space. The interactive, state-of-the-art showroom will be used for training and continuing education.

According to the Whirlpool Corporation news release, “The eco-focused facility was built at this Chicago historic landmark building using locally-sourced construction materials; materials made from recycled, renewable and/or recyclable content; low-flow plumbing fixtures; and low VOC coatings. Even the construction waste was carefully recycled throughout the project. The location uses extensive day lighting, and includes a large outdoor space with an herb garden providing fresh ingredients for cooking demonstrations and events.”

Leopardo served as the general contractor with Valerio Dewalt Train and Associates as the architect.

Tags: corporate construction, office interiors, tenant interiors, Whirlpool, Whirlpool Corporation
Posted in Interiors, Retail

Crain’s Chicago Business Highlights Leopardo’s Strength in the Marketplace via Video

Wednesday, August 4th, 2010

CHICAGO AND HOFFMAN ESTATES, Illinois (August 4, 2010) — Crain’s Chicago Business today highlighted Leopardo’s strength in the marketplace, featuring Leopardo in Chicago Business Today, the publication’s daily news video. Watch the three-minute video below or click this link.

According to Crain’s description of the video, “the latest forecast shows construction activity is slower than initially expected this year. But at least one local contractor [Leopardo] says the market is improving.”

“Leopardo is breaking ground on several new projects this year. The company has hired about 10 people recently,” said Chicago Business Today Host Lisa Leiter.

In recent months, Leopardo has been awarded about 20 projects totaling approximately $70 million worth of construction.

Posted in Awards + Recognition, Education, General Corporate, Healthcare, Hospitality + Hotel, Interiors, Municipal + Recreation, Office + Industrial, Personnel, Retail, Video

Leopardo Wins Corporate Social Responsibility Award

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Illinois (March 2, 2010) – Leopardo was recently honored as a recipient of the 2010 Communitas Leadership Award for corporate social responsibility and community service.

The Communitas Award recognizes exceptional businesses, organizations and individuals that are unselfishly giving of themselves and their resources, and those that are changing how they do business to benefit their communities.

According to the judges from the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP), Leopardo clearly exhibited the spirit of communitas, a Latin word that means people coming together for the good of a community. Leopardo was the only Illinois recipient and the only general contractor to win.

Posted in Awards + Recognition, General Corporate, Office + Industrial, Personnel, Retail, Sustainaiblity + LEED

Leopardo Awarded $13.5 Million Contract to Build 84,000-SF Jewel-Osco in Chicago

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

Only Second Jewel-Osco Store in Country to Seek LEED Silver Certification

CHICAGO, Illinois (January 6, 2010) – Leopardo was awarded the $13.5-million contract to demolish the existing Jewel-Osco at 3630 N. Southport Ave. and build a new 84,000-square-foot Jewel-Osco.

The new store will triple the size of the previous location and make use of the entire site with zero lot line construction. Underground parking will allow for 124 spaces with priority spacing reserved for hybrid vehicles.

This will be the second Jewel-Osco building in the country to seek LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) with LEED Silver status being the target. A prevegetated modular green roofing system is being installed to reduce the urban heat island effect, reduce noise, conserve water and reduce storm water runoff.

The interior will feature an entry atrium, three-person elevator and a wine cellar on the second floor. The anticipated completion date is August 2010. Leopardo is serving as the general contractor with Camburas & Theodore as the architect.

Tags: grocery construction, Jewel, Jewel-Osco, retail construction
Posted in Retail, Sustainaiblity + LEED

Leopardo Completes Ruth’s Chris Steak House at The Arboretum of South Barrington

Friday, November 14th, 2008

SOUTH BARRINGTON, Illinois (November 14, 2008) – Leopardo Companies, Inc., one of the nation’s premier construction companies and a recognized leader in sustainable building practices, completed the Ruth’s Chris Steak House at the Arboretum of South Barrington, a new lifestyle retail center. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Hospitality + Hotel, Retail

Leopardo Completes Randy Zweiban’s New Province Restaurant

Friday, October 31st, 2008

Eco-Friendly Restaurant Aims to be First in Downtown Chicago to Earn LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification

CHICAGO, Illinois (November 3, 2008) – Leopardo, one of the nation’s premier construction companies and a recognized leader in sustainable building practices, recently completed the 4,200-square-foot interior build-out for the new Province restaurant. Randy Zweiban is the executive chef and owner of the modern American restaurant with cuisine influenced by South America and Spain. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Hospitality + Hotel, Interiors, Retail, Sustainaiblity + LEED

Leopardo Completes Three More CVS Pharmacy Stores With Another Two Currently Underway

Wednesday, October 8th, 2008

Leopardo Has Worked on 82 CVS Stores Across Greater Chicago Metro Area

CHICAGO, LINCOLN and MOLINE, Illinois (October 8, 2008) – Leopardo Construction, one of the nation’s premier construction companies and a recognized leader in sustainable building practices, completed three CVS Pharmacy stores in Chicago, Lincoln and Moline, Illinois. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Retail

Leopardo Completes Cole Taylor Bank at Yorktown Shopping Center

Tuesday, October 7th, 2008

LOMBARD, Illinois (October 7, 2008) – Leopardo Construction, one of the nation’s premier construction companies and a recognized leader in sustainable building practices, recently completed the Cole Taylor Bank branch at Yorktown Shopping Center. Read the rest of this entry »