In The News
Leopardo to Build $200M Park Michigan Tower in Chicago
November 2, 2006
Leopardo Construction has been awarded the contract to build a new $200 million, 80-story tower in Chicago. The project is located at 830 S. Michigan Ave., across from Chicago’s famous Grant Park. The project, known as Park Michigan, will contain 376 rental units, ranging from one to four bedrooms and from 700 to 3,000 square feet.
Leopardo Completes Two Hospital Projects, Receives Awards
November 2, 2006
Leopardo Construction announced completion of Northern Illinois' first CyberKnife radiosurgery system project at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights. The CyberKnife project was part of a larger renovation of Northwest Community's cancer center. Leopardo also announced the completion of a 12,732-square-foot surgery center build-out at St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates. Leopardo was named 2006 contractor of the year by the Coalition for United Community Action.
Look up...
November 1, 2006
Leopardo Construction in Hoffman Estates will serve as general contractor for Park Michigan, an 80-story condo and retail tower to go up at 830 S. Michigan Ave. in Chicago. At 855 feet, the building will rank among the city’s 10 tallest. The $200 million project is slated for completion in 2010.
Chicago gets another condo tower
November 2006
Leopardo Construction has been awarded the general contract for the construction of an 80-story, 900,000-sf mixed-use condo/retail tower on Chicago’s Michigan Avenue. The tower will include 376 residential units and 35,000 sf of retail space, including a 9,000-sf restaurant, a grocery store, and a spa. Amenities include landscaped decks, green roofs, indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness center, and 470 condo parking spaces. Chicago-based Pappageorge/Haymes is the design architect.
Leopardo Completes Two Medical Center Additions
October 27, 2006
Leopardo Construction has completed two medical center additions in Illinois. Construction is complete on a 12,732-square-foot surgery center build-out at St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates. In addition, Leopardo has completed construction on the first CyberKnife Radiosurgery System project in northern Illinois at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights.
Building the 21st Century
October 2006
The Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) World Headquarters in Hoffman Estates, Ill. Was a 2006 PCI Design Award co-winner for Best Office Building. Leopardo Construction, Hoffman Estates, was the general contractor.
Rx for Surgery Center Growth
August 2006
As the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) industry continues to grow the question of whether to build new or expand an existing center is paramount, especially considering the aging Baby Boomer generation, daily medical technology breakthroughs, and increased competition in the healthcare arena. The answer isn’t always crystal clear and weighs on a number of critical design and construction factors that need to be considered. Having built more Chicagoland surgery centers than any other contractor, Leopardo Construction is closely familiar with the many influences that affect the decision to build new or expand.
Making Rollouts Successful
August, 2006
“Although many general contractors may claim to have expertise in the retail rollout arena, only the true rollout construction specialists have a thorough understanding of the retailer’s needs in this specialized field. Drawing upon the general contractor’s rollout know-how and years of relationship-building will help guide the retailer to the most efficient program and cost model. When the factors of rollout success are all boiled down, retailers have the most to gain from general contractors in three key categories: process, materials and relationships,” according to Steve Smith, vice president of the retail group at Leopardo Construction, a construction services firm with 20 years of rollout construction experience. The company has done rollout programs for Apple, CVS, National City Bank, Trader Joe’s and Washington Mutual.
Leopardo Chosen for $200M Condo Tower
November 1, 2006
“This tower on Michigan Avenue will balance out the Loop, considering the large condo
developments going up on the north side of Downtown,” Leopardo President Richard Mattioda tells GlobeSt.com.Leopardo recently completed Lakeside Tower, a 20-story, 143-unit condominium totaling 243,000 sf in Chicago’s South Loop, and is 45% complete with Vision on State. Leopardo is also in the preconstruction phase of a 525,000-sf hotel waterpark resort in Hoffman Estates.
Parkways Apartment Complex Gets Renovation
July 31, 2006
Leopardo Construction has completed a 446-unit, 589,000-sf renovation at the Parkways, an apartment complex located at 6718 S. East End Ave. on the south shore of Chicago, near Jackson Park. The newly-renovated apartment complex consists of 21 three-story buildings and one recreation center.
Waterpark for Hoffman Estates
June 14, 2006
A massive project in Hoffman Estates seeks to capitalize on two trends: water parks and selling hotel rooms as condominiums. Chicago’s VOA Associates is the architecture firm and Leopardo Construction will manage the project. The goal is to draw fun-seekers who want to save themselves the drive to the Wisconsin Dells.
Leopardo Completes 75,000-SF Interior Build-Out
June 2006
Leopardo Construction has completed a 75,000-square-foot interior build-out of Encyclopedia Britannica’s new corporate headquarters in Chicago. The new headquarters is located at 331 N. LaSalle St. at the Reid Murdoch Building.
Leopardo Completes 400,000-SF Regional Power Center
May 3, 2006
Hoffman Estates-based Leopardo Construction has completed Poplar Creek Crossing, a 400,000-square-foot regional power center in Hoffman Estates. The center, which is situated on 42 acres at the southwest corner of routes 59 and 72, is anchored by a 124,000-square-foot Target, and includes retailers such as T.J. Maxx, Linens 'n Things, Michaels, Cost Plus World Market, OfficeMax and PetsMart. The property also includes seven outlots, five additional building pads for future development, two keystone retention ponds and approximately 2,000 parking spaces. In addition to completing shell construction, Leopardo also completed interior build-outs for several of the tenants.
Ground Broken on Emergency Department for Swedish Covenant
May 2006
Leopardo Construction has broken ground for Swedish Covenant Hospital’s expanded and renovated emergency department. The department will include 11,000 square feet of new space to accommodate patients and staff. The estimated completion date for the $10 million project is spring 2007.
New Terminal Serves Palwaukee Workers
April 6, 2006
Officials at Signature Flight Support say their new terminal at Palwaukee Municipal Airport allows them to better cater to the on-site needs of pilots, flight attendents and other aviation industry employees. General Manager Michael Ward of Signature Flight Support, the world's largest fixed-base aviation services provider, said a number of factors played into the company's $5 million investment for its new 10,000-square-foot terminal atthe airport. Ward also said Signature was pleased with the work of the contractor, Leopardo Construction of Hoffman Estates.
Interior Renovation Completed for American Dental Association
April 2006
Leopardo Construction has completed the 8-floor, 120,000-square-foot interior renovation of the American Dental Association’s corporate headquarters. The professional organization of dentists has owned the building, at 211 East Chicago Street, since the 1960s and this was its first major upgrade since that time.
Building Boom Continues, Experts Sought
March 2006
As many are trying their hands at healthcare construction and design, those with experience have the edge. In a show of strength of experience and relationships, Leopardo Construction last fall finished construction on the 20,700 square foot Surgical Center of DuPage Medical Group in Lombard, Illinois. It was the 14th project Leopardo had completed for DMG in a three-year stretch.
Leopardo Construction Honored By Coalition
June 29, 2006
Leopardo Construction was awarded the 2006 “Contractor of the Year” by The Coalition For United Community Action. The honor recognizes Leopardo Construction’s demonstration of leadership and contributions to the minority construction community. “Leopardo Construction is extremely proud to receive this award,” Leopardo president Richard Mattioda said. “Our company regularly works with minority- and women-owned business enterprises as well as contributes to the development of the greater Chicago community via the Leopardo Charitable Foundation.” The Leopardo Charitable Foundation aids more than 100 charities that promote education, health, technology and people’s well-being.
Retail Hitting All the Pistons in Chicago
November 2, 2005
“It’s full guns forward,” said Steve Smith, vice president of Leopardo Construction’s retail group, which does work both in the city and the suburbs, typically for developers of small to mid-sized retail properties. “There might be as much as 10 million square feet of new retail on the boards in Chicago in 2006, because we’ve had such a good run of residential expansion.”
To Serve and Protect
January 7, 2006
The Clarendon Hills Police Department has moved into a new home thanks to Leopardo Construction, which completed the project under budget and ahead of schedule.
Title Town: Chicago No. 1 Again
March 2006
Leopardo Construction and Powell/Kleinschmidt architects are working with John Buck to reposition the tower as a class B building with class A features. Upon completion of renovations at the historic, red structure, CNA will occupy 750,000 sq. ft. (69,675 sq. m.) and lease another 300,000 sq. ft. (27,870 sq. m.) in the building to multiple tenants.
Regional Resort Planned
June 16, 2006
Hoffman Estates will be home to a 525,000-square-foot resort hotel and water park by 2008. The proposed Sun Island Resort and Conference Center would be one of the 10 largest water-park resorts in the nation. Gary Skoog, Hoffman Estates' economic development director, said "They've got a good solid team, it looks like, from what they presented." Hoffman Estates-based Leopardo Construction is managing construction on the project.
A Matter of Trust
December 2005
All too often trust is a word used but never expounded upon, however, companies that have designed and built municipal structures can bullet point just what trust means. “The most important thing in dealing with municipal construction is that you balance between the scope and quality of the proposed project, reaching a level of finish and meeting your schedule and budget. That’s how you establish trust,” says Mike Behm of Leopardo Construction’s community group.
Construction Begins on Logan Terminal
October 24, 2005
The two-story terminal, which is being constructed for Signature Flight by Leopardo Construction, will be comprised of a 10,000 sf first-floor terminal, a 7,000 sf second floor for offices and 5,000 sf of ground support equipment.
Clarendon Hills Dedicates New Station
December 7, 2005
The facility was originally projected to cost $2.9 million, but the contractor, Leopardo Construction, turned over the completed facility with $195,000 left unspent. The construction process required seven months to complete, but crews were finished a month ahead of schedule.
Leopardo Construction’s Band – Liquidated Damages
June 2006
Liquidated Damages, which includes employees with Leopardo Construction, headlined the City of Hope REACH Social fundraiser this year. Held every year at the House of Blues, the event raised $260,000 in one night, of which $60,000 was generated by Liquidated Damages.
Crane Crunch Crimps Contractors
November 28, 2005
“It is a very critical issue right now,” says Pierre Cowart, project executive for Leopardo Construction, a Hoffman Estates-based contractor that’s building two South Loop condo projects. “There’s a lot of pressure on the market in general to keep sale prices at the same level. You can’t pass along price increases.”
Leopardo Completes I-CAR Headquarters
October 6, 2005
Leopardo Construction completed the 25,000-square-foot I-CAR corporate headquarters building in Hoffman Estates. Leopardo served as general contractor. The building includes classroom and training facilities, a computer room, a mail room, storage areas and office space.
St. Charles Harley-Davidson
November 7, 2005
Biker enthusiasts will be in a hog heaven now that construction is under way on a new Zylstra Harley-Davidson in St. Charles. Leopardo Construction broke ground on the 70,000-square-foot shop.
Reshaping History
January 2006
“In many urban areas, developers are restoring and redeveloping older buildings to create new commercial real estate product in dense areas lacking developable land. As Rick DuPraw of Leopardo Construction notes, perhaps the primary reason to take on a project of this type is the “historical significance of the building itself.”
Diagnosing The Risks of Healthcare Construction
December 2005
Due to its delicate nature, healthcare construction has become highly specialized and requires the work of trained, seasoned contractors who understand the countless considerations and sensitivities. Leopardo Construction completed the 20,700 square foot Surgical Center of DuPage Medical Group building in Lombard in late September.
Poplar Creek Crossing Shopping Center Work Ends
May 13, 2006
Leopardo Construction recently put the finishing touches on a project close to home. The Hoffman Estates-based company served as general contractor on the newly completed Poplar
Creek Crossing, a 400,000-square-foot regional shopping center at the southwest corner of Higgins and New Sutton roads, about two miles away from Leopardo's offices.
Unlocking Building Value Through Repositioning
December 2005
CNA contracted with The John Buck Co., Leopardo Construction and Powell/Kleinschmidt architects to develop its repositioning strategy, an approximately $60 million investment. Successful repositioning projects will catch tenants’ eyes with Class-A amenities and aesthetics, and seal the deal with lower rents and much better value than newer buildings.
Traveling in Style
March 25, 2006
Leopardo Construction recently put the finishing touches on an 11,000-square-foot terminal at Palwaukee Municipal Airport in Wheeling. The project added to Leopardo’s growing airport portfolio. The company has also left its mark at O’Hare, Boston Logan and Indianapolis International.
Construction Starts on Vision, Lakeside Topped Off
October 31, 2005
Leopardo Construction broke ground on Vision on State and topped off Lakeside Tower, both of which are 20-story condo projects in the South Loop. The projects are a combined size of 644,000 sf and 396 units.