2023: A Year of Progress, Innovation, and Building More Than Buildings

From the West Loop to the South Side, transforming classrooms, apartments, and community centers, Gilbane Chicago created economic opportunity and forged meaningful relationships across the city in 2023.

Thank you to everyone on our team whose talent and drive fueled our progress and to our clients and supporters who made this year such a success. Our company continues to grow, and as we look to a promising 2024, we can’t wait to build on this list of meaningful projects and satisfied clients.

Deep Community Roots

Gilbane has been a trusted partner in building and development in the region for 45 years, but we build more than buildings. Whether lending expertise to industry organizations, including HIRE 360, HACIA, Black Contractors United, and Federation of Women Contractors, or volunteering with ACE Mentor Program of Chicago, Rebuilding Together, and Hard Hats with Heart, our team is deeply engaged in the community, and
we care about leaving our legacy on this city, personally and professionally.

Industry Thought Leaders

Gilbane Chicago comprises some of the most experienced and innovative leaders in the industry, who are always willing to share their expertise. That example is set at the top with Vice President Karrie Kratz and is visible throughout Gilbane Chicago as we continue to make headlines as a thoughtful, powerful voice in building and construction. For our team, it’s about using what we’ve learned and observed and sharing it with peers and the talent pipeline so we can collectively advance and improve the industry for all.

Historic, Sustainable, and Beautiful

Our $70 million, three-building housing project to revive the work of famed German-American architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe on the campus of Illinois Tech was recognized for its standard-setting approach to historic preservation and sustainability. ENR Midwest awarded it Best Project in the Residential/Hospitality category, and the project was nominated for Redevelopment of the Year in the Chicago Commercial Real Estate Awards.

Going Green

For Gilbane, sustainability isn’t reserved for Earth Day. We are leading industry efforts to reduce environmental impact daily, and Adlai E. Stevenson High School is the perfect example. The first verified net zero building in Illinois, the techniques used at Stevenson can be seen across our portfolio. We’re using CarbonCure to incorporate carbon removal technologies at 10 and 120 S. Riverside Street with Ivanhoé Cambridge and Hines. And Public Sector Leader Michelle McClendon’s role on the board of the Illinois Green Alliance ensures we stay on top of all new innovations and environmental solutions.

An Escape from the City

Far from the busy sights and sounds of the city, the Lake County Forest Preserve District manages more than 31,000 acres of land for conservation, recreation, and education. Our maintenance facility project with a conference room, cafeteria, office space, and storage, is small by size at 8,000 square feet, but big on impact as we deepen our partnership with this important public entity and strive for a net zero project.

Celebrating Pride

Employee Resource Groups that celebrate diversity and provide a space for connection and support are an essential part of the culture at Gilbane. Our Pride ERG is one of our most active, and they make Pride Month a special time for members and allies at the Annual Pride Summit. Special thanks to Equality Illinois for participating in a great panel hosted by the Pride ERG.

Droning On and On

The Virtual Design Construction “team” used to be one person, and has now grown to six: Joseph Good, Tom Bossow, Ryan Bayerle, Dio Duran Betancourt, Garret Walsh, and Noah Watkins. Investing in professional development is a key Gilbane priority, and we supported Ryan and Garret in getting their drone licenses this year. With 300 drone flights, 732,000+SF of space laser scanned, and more than 75,000 4D elements developed over the past year, it’s exciting to see the team—and the value they bring to our projects—continue to grow!

Back to School

Back to school is among the busiest times of year for Gilbane Chicago as we put the finishing touches on 21st-century learning environments, from early childcare spaces to cutting-edge science labs to top-of-the-line athletic facilities. We worked with 20 school districts this year alone—partnering with schools from referendum to ribbon cutting.

Grand Opening...#1

Bally's Chicago is estimated to generate $21 billion in economic value for Chicago over an eight-year period. So, while Gilbane looks forward to breaking ground on the permanent facility, we moved quickly to stand up a temporary casino at Medinah Temple, a treasured building that demanded our level of expertise in historic preservation. This impressive entertainment space opened its doors on September 9, and exceeded our goals on women- and minority-owned contractors—yet another reason to celebrate an exciting project.

We Are Family

Michael C. Brown, PE, was named regional president in October, overseeing the Midwest and Texas regions. It was a homecoming for Michael, who previously spent close to two decades with Gilbane and has 30 years of experience in the industry. In his official announcement, Michael said, “Gilbane really is more than a team—it’s a family—and I’m eager to be a part of that family again, especially at this exciting moment of opportunity.”

Creating Space for Art

Art, education, and youth engagement. That’s the formula for impact as Gilbane collaborates with the National Museum of Mexican Art to bring the design for a new youth education center in Little Village to life. With the support of the Executive Latino Council and the trust of the Yollocalli Arts Reach Expansion students, we can’t wait to see this project across the finish line.

Setting the Example

At Gilbane, a culture of caring starts at the top and is reinforced at every level of the company. An empathetic style of leadership is part of what sets Vice President Karrie Kratz apart, so it’s no surprise that she was named as one of just 15 inaugural fellows of the Chicago Leadership Circle, a joint initiative of Crain’s Chicago Business and the University of Chicago Graham School. Karrie has so much to add to the conversation, but what she’s most excited about is what learning she can bring back to the Gilbane team.

Thank you to everyone on our team whose talent and drive fuels our progress and to our clients and supporters who made 2023—and who will make 2024—a success. Our company continues to grow, and as well look to a promising year ahead, we can't wait to build on this list of meaningful projects and satisfied clients.