Reach an engaged audience of real estate professionals

Companies looking for “commute-worthy” experiences drove office leasing activity in 2025 — but what does that entail? Taylor Johnson client Friedman Properties recently explained its approach in a Chicago Business Journal article highlighting how the strategy helped secure 107,000 square feet of leases at the Reid Murdoch Building. Friedman’s River North portfolio of vintage buildings gives users a setting that blends historic character with easy transit access and the energy of a 24-hour neighborhood. On-site amenities are important, too, such as the new fitness center and tenant lounge Friedman recently added to the Reid Murdoch Building. The combination of these perks and the company’s long-term stewardship of the riverfront landmark helped close a mix of new, expanded and renewed leases for office, restaurant and experiential retail tenants.

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The Wagner Community Center in Elmhurst represents a home-field advantage for Taylor Johnson client McHugh Construction. The firm has spent decades shaping the Chicago suburb’s civic landscape and is now, alongside joint venture partner Nacional Group, building the 127,250-square-foot center for the Elmhurst Park District, replacing the former facility with a modern, four-times-larger building designed to serve residents for generations. Taylor Johnson ran the playbook to perfection on the $85 million groundbreaking announcement, delivering strong coverage across Chicago-area and national outlets including Chicago Business Journal, Bisnow Chicago, Connect CRE Chicago & Midwest, REBusinessOnline, REjournals, BLDUP and Elmhurst Patch.

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As communities nationwide grapple with a persistent shortage of affordable housing, thoughtful new development is proving to be a powerful catalyst for neighborhood revitalization. In a recent UNITS Magazine article examining how affordable housing can transform communities and lives, Taylor Johnson offered multiple clients to share their thoughts on the topic. In the resulting story, Habitat underscored the importance of strategically located, transit-oriented, mixed-use developments that connect residents to opportunity. Evergreen Real Estate Group noted effective affordable housing extends beyond a building, emphasizing proximity to supportive resources and responsiveness to neighborhood needs. Finally, Baker Barrios Architects highlighted how master planning, community engagement and programming can transform redevelopments into vibrant hubs that foster long-term social and economic mobility.

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When a Commercial Property Executive reporter set out to recap the biggest commercial real estate trends to emerge in 2025, he turned to Taylor Johnson as a one-stop resource for expert insights across the industry. The request landed as our team was actively compiling trend forecasts based on client input, enabling us to quickly connect the reporter with experts in office, industrial and retail design and development. The resulting story features four trends originally identified by Taylor Johnson and expanded upon by four of our clients. Baker Barrios Architects weighed in on the revitalization of strip malls through design upgrades; CRG and HSA Commercial Real Estate explained why infill industrial development is gaining momentum; and Lendlease highlighted the growing role of biophilic design in office environments.

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Keeping an apartment building fully leased and minimizing renter turnover is one of the top tasks for today’s property managers. When Multi-Housing News podcast host Denile Doyle reached out for a guest to dive into the subject of how to lead leasing teams that keep residents for the long term, the Taylor Johnson team suggested client Diana Pittro, EVP of RMK Management Corp. In the November episode of the outlet’s “Management Diaries” podcast, Pittro shares how RMK approaches leasing and resident retention, as well as how the role of the leasing professional has evolved over the years. She also talks about what she looks for when hiring leasing staff, as well as the importance of proper training.

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When Multi-Housing News inquired about AI in property management, we connected the reporter with two Taylor Johnson clients to highlight where the technology is making the biggest operational impact. Tim Kramer, vice president and director of operations, management services, with Draper and Kramer, Incorporated, and Jim Cunningham, president of Marquette Management, both emphasized how AI is already streamlining processes through tools like chatbots that can instantly respond to prospect questions about rent, amenities and pet policies, and AI-powered property tours that allow prospects to schedule visits, explore communities and access key information. This frees on-site teams to focus on delivering personalized service, building relationships and supporting residents. Kramer and Cunningham also discussed where they see the biggest opportunities to incorporate AI as technology evolves, such as helping to diagnose maintenance issues, manage work order requests and predict system maintenance needs.

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A penthouse on the top floor of Cirrus, a 350-residence tower developed by Taylor Johnson client Lendlease, recently sold for just over $4 million, continuing a trend of second-home purchases at the lakefront high-rise. TJ shared the news with Crain’s Chicago Business, which led to a story about how second-home buyers are returning to the downtown Chicago condo market. In fact, of the approximately 50 condos to go under contract this year at Cirrus, about 30 went to buyers looking for a secondary residence. The building is a prime target for those seeking a pied-à-terre since it is close to all the cultural offerings of downtown but relatively secluded in Lakeshore East, with unobstructed views of Lake Michigan.

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It was another successful night for the 36th annual Real Estate Forum, hosted by the Lincoln Park Builders of Chicago on Nov. 20 at Theater on the Lake. Taylor Johnson is proud to have managed the planning, promotion and execution of the Forum each year since 2012, helping build and uphold the gathering’s reputation as one of Chicago real estate’s premier networking events. Preparations for the 2025 Forum culminated in an evening that brought together more than 1,300 industry professionals for networking and mingling, dinner and drinks, and a thoughtful panel discussion around this year’s theme, “Big Shoulders, Big Ambition: Bridging Policy and Market Forces for a Stronger Chicago.” Rounding out the night’s program was a keynote address by Jen Parks, executive director of Habitat for Humanity Chicago, and the presentation of the 2025 Impact Award to Michael Glasser, president of the Neighborhood Building Owners Alliance. To view a full photo gallery of the festivities, click here. 

If you’re interested in sponsoring the Forum in 2026 or looking for support in planning a real estate event of your own, please contact Emily Johnson to learn more.

Shifting demographics driven by delayed household formation, a rise in aging renters, and greater lifestyle mobility are transforming who rents and why in today’s multifamily market. When Multifamily Executive sought expert insights on these trends, Taylor Johnson connected the writer with multiple clients, yielding two feature stories on resident demographics: Redefining the Renter Class and Who’s Really Living in Multifamily Now? In the resulting coverage, Mary Cook, president of Mary Cook Associates, emphasized that understanding today’s renter requires looking far beyond age or income, and instead calls for a deep dive on major local employers, migration patterns and activity in nearby community destinations. Meanwhile, Habitat’s Jessica Perri noted renting is no longer primarily a temporary phase before homeownership, with more residents choosing to rent long term. Optima, Inc. president David Hovey added that renters by choice increasingly value community as much as convenience and gravitate toward elevated amenities and programming that foster social connection

Read Full Articles: Redefining the Renter Class and Who’s Really Living in Multifamily Now?

As 2025 comes to a close, it is a natural time to reflect on the past year of Chicagoland real estate activity while also looking ahead to the coming year. When Chicago Agent magazine reached out for insights from industry leaders for its annual “Predictions” issue, the Taylor Johnson team connected the editor with clients Baird & Warner and Lexington Homes. The resulting Real Estate Sales Predictions story featured insights for 2026 on key factors like interest rates, inventory adjustments, and the impact of AI and data analytics from Steve Baird, CEO and president of Baird & Warner. The December issue also included a story on New-Construction Predictions in which Jeff Benach, principal of Lexington Homes, shared his predictions regarding buyer preferences in floor plan designs and finishes as well as the importance of the builder-Realtor relationship.

Read Full Article: Real Estate Sales Predictions And New-Construction Predictions

“Pretend and extend” is out. Working with borrowers to maximize a sale price is in. That’s the key takeaway from Steven “Sonny” Ginsberg of Taylor Johnson client Ginsberg Jacobs LLC in a recent REjournals byline on the current state of suburban Chicago office loans. In the article, which our team pitched and secured on his behalf, Ginsberg explains that a lack of new construction and increase in return-to-office policies have investors looking at suburban offices again. But don’t expect a return to pre-pandemic valuations. Ginsberg says lenders who have spent the past few years working with delinquent borrowers have five general paths they can take to finally get those nonperforming loans off their books.   

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‘Tis the season for holiday gatherings, from festive cocktail parties and open houses to elaborate meals for extended families. Recognizing the kitchen is not only the heart of most homes, but also the epicenter of holiday entertaining, Homes.com reporter Caroline Broderick reached out to the Taylor Johnson team for expert insights from Bob Zuber, partner with TJ client Morgante Wilson Architects, on design elements that make a kitchen ideal for holiday hosting. In the resulting article, Zuber emphasized the importance of a layout that creates seating for guests to chat with hosts while staying out of the kitchen’s work triangle; features such as a dedicated bar, scullery or butler’s pantry to provide serving and staging spaces; and choices for flooring, countertops and cabinets that are as functional as they are aesthetically pleasing.  

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Taylor Johnson client Marquette Companies has been betting in its own backyard this year with multiple acquisitions in the greater Chicago area due to the region’s strong market fundamentals and exceptional value-add opportunities. We recently spread the news about its acquisition of Orion Arlington Lakes, a 198-unit garden-style apartment community in Arlington Heights, Ill., which the firm immediately rebranded as Avery at Arlington Lakes, with plans to upgrade both amenities and unit interiors. As a result of our outreach, the deal drew coverage from top industry outlets including Bisnow Chicago, Chicago Business Journal, CoStar, REBusinessOnline, REjournals and Yield PRO. This news came on the heels of another media blitz the previous week when Marquette closed on a second suburban property, Aurora at Summerfield in Aurora, Ill. That acquisition was also covered in Bisnow Chicago, REBusinessOnline, REjournals and Yield PRO.

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For decades, developers, municipalities and supporting organizations have worked toward finding a lasting solution to the shortage of affordable housing in the U.S., and Taylor Johnson client Baker Barrios Architects has been part of that conversation for the past 30 years. Harnessing the firm’s perspective from the architecture and master-planning side of the issue, Baker Barrios leadership developed its own proprietary and holistic approach: THRIVE. While the “cradle-to-career” method, which focuses on providing essential community services in a centralized location to ensure easy access for residents, has been in practice for years, Baker Barrios CEO Tim Baker worked with his team to formalize it with THRIVE, creating a step-by-step program for engaging stakeholders, designing, building and, most importantly, sustaining affordable communities. This approach caught the attention of editors at Urban Land magazine when the TJ team suggested a thought leadership piece from Baker. The resulting article shares the history of THRIVE and the success stories that are emerging from it today.

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Taylor Johnson client Wingspan Development Group and ABC Capital have welcomed first move-ins at The Whitt — a 211-unit rental community in Riverview, Fla., just 15 miles from downtown Tampa. With spacious floor plans up to three bedrooms, a resort-style pool and clubhouse, and other family-friendly amenities, The Whitt offers the best of both worlds: a neighborhood feel, paired with quick highway access to Tampa’s dining, nightlife and outdoor recreation. Wingspan is helping meet the rising demand for housing in Riverview — a story that’s earned strong local attention, with coverage in Tampa Bay Business Journal, Florida YIMBY, Tampa Bay Business & Wealth and Yield PRO.

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First Solar’s recent 1.3 million-square-foot lease at Cherokee Commerce Center 85 (CCC-85), the new industrial park developed by Taylor Johnson client Glenstar Logistics, marks one of the largest manufacturing commitments in the Southeast this year. As part of our media outreach on the notable deal, we highlighted how Glenstar’s early bet on the Interstate 85 corridor, combined with a targeted strategy to attract power-intensive users seeking speed-to-market and future expansion capacity, positioned CCC-85 as an ideal choice for First Solar. We also called out how the $330 million domestic manufacturing facility is expected to create more than 600 jobs. To date, resulting coverage of the transaction has appeared in American Journal of Transportation, Commercial Property Executive, Connect CRE Atlanta & Southeast , SCBIZ and REBusinessOnline.

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It was a busy end to November for Taylor Johnson client Draper and Kramer, Incorporated, which closed out the month with the purchase of Eleven33, a 12-story, 263-unit rental property that expands the Chicago-based firm’s local portfolio into Oak Park. Situated in the heart of the suburb’s downtown commercial district, the transit-oriented community not only offers residents easy access to CTA and Metra rail lines, but also walkability in a lower-density urban setting. Our team shared news of the transaction with trade and local media, securing coverage in outlets including Bisnow Chicago, Chicago Business Journal, Crain’s Chicago Business, CoStar, Multifamily Dive, REBusinessOnline, REjournals and The Real Deal Chicago.

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As Black Friday — and the start of the holiday shopping season — approaches, multifamily mail and package rooms are back in the spotlight. In a recent Multifamily Executive article exploring how the once-utilitarian multifamily mailroom has evolved into a prominent, multifunctional community space, Taylor Johnson offered expert insights and project examples from client and commercial interiors firm Mary Cook Associates (MCA). In the resulting piece, MCA founder and president Mary Cook noted her firm began approaching mailrooms differently several years ago after hearing from on-site property staff that residents would often stop by the mailroom not just to check for deliveries, but also for a chance to leave their units and seek social interaction. This insight prompted MCA to reimagine these areas as vibrant, mixed-use, front-of-house amenities, holistically considering package storage, lighting, art and overall aesthetics in their designs to elevate mailroom functionality and ambiance.

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Like a seasoned detective, David Zawadzki of Taylor Johnson client Proper Title has a sharp eye for details that signal potential title fraud. Confident his insights on closing-risk issues would be of interest to consumers and real estate professionals, we suggested him for the popular Homes.com series, Cup of Joe with a Pro. The resulting Q&A explores the surge in deed fraud where imposters pose as property owners and attempt to sell an asset without the homeowner’s knowledge. Zawadzki explains today’s sophisticated tactics, from falsified IDs to AI-generated documents; why busy closing periods create opportunities for fraudsters to strike; and how the tools Proper Title uses, including identity-verification technology like Closinglock, help detect red flags early and protect all parties in a transaction.

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Vacant commercial buildings — from hotels to hospitals to mortuaries — can be unsightly liabilities to the communities they once served. But some are finding new life as affordable housing through adaptive reuse projects that pool public and private resources. According to RentCafe, the number of completed apartment conversions from commercial buildings increased nearly 17% from 2022 to 2023, and last year 151,000 apartments were in various stages of conversion. When a writer for The New York Times was seeking examples of such redevelopments and the residents who now call them home, we connected the outlet with Taylor Johnson client Evergreen Real Estate Group. The resulting article features Ravenswood Senior Living, which Evergreen transformed from a vacant hospital in Chicago into an independent and supportive living community for seniors. Its residents include Daniel and Pamela Eccarius, who have a deep connection to the property, as their granddaughter was born at the hospital just years before it closed.

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Amid stubbornly high construction costs and interest rates, do value-add multifamily assets still make sense to investors? When a UNITS Magazine reporter reached out to Taylor Johnson seeking sources to explore this topic, we connected the outlet with clients Interra Realty and Marquette Companies. Their perspectives helped shape the resulting story’s case that value-add remains a competitive strategy. Interra Realty’s Paul Waterloo discussed the approach within the middle-market multifamily space, noting that while economic headwinds have given rise to cash acquisitions and seller financing, there remains robust buyer interest compared to the limited supply of viable, well-located properties. Meanwhile, Marquette’s Trevor Ryan explained how job growth, rent affordability and other fundamentals are driving these opportunities, as evidenced by Marquette’s recent sale of The Haven at Ann Arbor above target return metrics and the launch of the firm’s value-add multifamily fund, Marquette SE Fund 25.

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Five years ago, in the thick of the pandemic, home offices were in high demand and could be found tucked into a dining room, carved out of a basement corner or taking over a spare bedroom. Today, as many people have returned to in-person work, those “home office” spaces have shifted their use. When Homes.com reached out for commentary on the state of the home office, we connected the writer with Taylor Johnson client Lexington Homes. In the resulting article, Lexington’s principal Jeff Benach reported a decreased demand for home offices at the builder’s new Chicagoland townhome communities, as well as other insights, including where Lexington buyers are now locating their remote workspace and how others are using their old office space.

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Taylor Johnson delivered major media wins for client Nicholas Family of Companies’ recent grand opening of its $34.5 million, two-sheet Rosemont Ice Arena in Rosemont, Ill. Almost 200 people, including hockey fans and community leaders, watched as representatives from the Nicholas Family of Companies and the Village of Rosemont took the ice for remarks alongside the Chicago Wolves to mark the facility as the team’s new practice home. Attendees then enjoyed lunch from Hatty’s Club, the arena’s elevated sports bar and supper club that offers rink views. Media coverage skated across news platforms with pickup in TV outlets like ABC7, WGN and CBS; WBBM-AM radio; and online and print publications including Daily Herald, TimeOut, Athletic Business, Connect CRE Chicago & Midwest and more. 

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When BOMA International sought insight for its “Deep Dive Q3 2025” report, the editor reached out to Taylor Johnson for expert sources. We connected her with Gannon O’Brien of client Hiffman National, who discussed how property managers nationwide can make informed decisions about cellular connectivity in CRE buildings. With reliable Wi-Fi and cellular service at the top of most tenant wish lists, the report emphasizes the crucial role property managers play, from advising building owners on capital investments in antenna systems to future-proofing properties for emerging technologies.

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After three decades supplying, fabricating and installing stone for large commercial real estate developments and, more recently, luxury residential projects, Sandya Dandamudi, president of Taylor Johnson client GI Stone, has honed a unique perspective on the changing role of stone in homes, hotels, offices, healthcare facilities and institutions, such as the multi-faceted Obama Presidential Center. Confident Dandamudi’s insights on stone’s role in previous, current and future projects would resonate with the public, we suggested her for the popular Homes.com series, Cup of Joe with a Pro. The result was an illuminating interview on the increasing popularity of stone in homes, the advent of new manmade surfaces and the latest stone trends. 

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Adding to its portfolio of more than 7,000 units under management across the Midwest, Taylor Johnson client RMK Management Corp. has been named property manager for 818 N. Wolcott, an adaptive-reuse building in Chicago’s East Village/West Town neighborhood that was transformed from a foundry to apartments. With only 20 units, the boutique building is allowing RMK’s management and leasing teams to focus on providing a personal touch where the residential experience is rooted more in service rather than amenities. The building offers the perfect blend of old meets new — from the exposed masonry walls in select loft-style plans and the quaint beer garden-style backyard amenity space to upscale unit finishes, such as quartz countertops, large kitchen islands and stainless steel appliances. We shared news of RMK’s latest property assignment with media, resulting in coverage in Connect CRE Chicago & Midwest, Northern Illinois Real Estate Magazine, REjournals and Yield PRO.

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New Taylor Johnson client Aigentless has completely reimagined the way apartments are toured and leased by addressing the pain points of prospective residents, owners and operators, filling the gaps left by legacy self-guided tour platforms in engagement, personalization, conversion and data-driven insights. Founded by Bella Campise and her father, Frank Campise of JAB Real Estate, Aigentless has grown exponentially in the one year since it launched. Most recently, the proptech company announced a partnership with Cardinal Group Companies, which selected Aigentless as its exclusive self-guided tour provider and co-developed a custom version of the Aigentless platform to meet the needs of the student housing sector. We offered an exclusive on the partnership to The Real Deal, resulting in an in-depth profile on the startup, and secured additional coverage in Mile High CRE, Student Housing Business and other outlets. 

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As the multifamily industry faces a challenging hiring market, especially for maintenance and on-site roles, owner-operators are responding with higher pay, improved benefits and career development opportunities to attract candidates, while placing renewed focus on culture, flexibility and employee well-being to sustain morale and boost retention. For a recent UNITS Magazine story on staffing strategies, Taylor Johnson offered expert insights from clients Habitat and Draper and Kramer, Incorporated. In the resulting feature, Habitat’s Lori Flaska discussed how the company adopted a more centralized staffing model, using virtual interviews and emphasizing clear career paths and growth opportunities. Gladys Pagan of Draper and Kramer highlighted how the firm proactively identifies which skills can be trained and which are essential at hire in order to broaden its pool of candidates, in addition to using social media and a strong company culture to attract and retain talent in a competitive landscape.

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A long-vacant Oak Brook office property is getting a fresh start thanks to assistance from Taylor Johnson client NAI Hiffman, which recently represented ownership in a 17,447-square-foot lease with DesignPac, part of the 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. family of brands. Through targeted media outreach, our team highlighted how the transaction jumpstarts a full-scale revitalization of the three-story, 58,000-square-foot building and underscores a broader trend of tenants gravitating toward efficient, midsize buildings. Coverage in REjournals, REBusinessOnline, Chicago Business Journal and Bisnow Chicago spotlighted how NAI Hiffman’s brokerage expertise and ownership’s capital commitment are driving the property’s comeback.

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Taylor Johnson client Baird & Warner recently reaffirmed its commitment to independence and transparency with the launch of its City Collective, a new initiative designed to unify and support its Chicago-based agents through enhanced collaboration, technology and resources. As Baird & Warner announced the City Collective at an in-person event with top-producing Chicago agents, TJ worked closely with The Real Deal Chicago to secure an exclusive article highlighting the initiative’s role in uniting the company’s more than 800 city-based brokers and positioning Baird & Warner as the clear independent alternative to Wall Street-backed national brokerages. The resulting coverage also underscored the company’s investment in the local market with new AI-driven tools to promote cooperation and market transparency. Following the exclusive, the City Collective announcement was also picked up by HousingWire.

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An expert in adaptive-reuse projects, Taylor Johnson client McHugh Construction was recently tapped as the general contractor to transform Wacker Place, a 25-story art deco tower at 65 E. Wacker Place, into 252 apartments for Mavrek Development and ACRES Capital. We were eager to announce McHugh starting construction on Wacker Place and share renderings with media — news that to date has been picked up by REBusinessOnline, REjournals, Bisnow Chicago, Urbanize Chicago and Chicago Business Journal. Each story highlighted McHugh’s strong history in renovating some of Chicago’s most notable and landmarked buildings to meet modern residential standards. The first residences at Wacker Place are slated to deliver in summer 2026, marking another step in McHugh’s work to preserve Chicago’s past while reshaping its future.

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As evidenced by the enduring popularity of now-classic TV shows like This Old House and channels like HGTV, the public has a voracious appetite for home renovation stories, particularly ones with dramatic transformations. So, when we saw the before and after images of this stunning home renovation in Lake Bluff, Ill., by longtime Taylor Johnson client Morgante Wilson Architects, we shared it with Mansion Global, resulting in an in-depth feature on the project in the luxury real estate outlet’s Rebuilds & Renos section.

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When Crain’s Chicago Business set out to cover the impact of Cook County’s delayed second-installment property tax bills on real estate closings, reporter Dennis Rodkin reached out to Taylor Johnson for an expert source. We connected him with Mary Beth Lanigan, a residential underwriter at TJ client Proper Title, who explained the vital role title companies play in the process, why collecting a larger escrow at closing ensures sufficient funds are available to cover the unknown amount of the final tax bill, and how any overage is refunded to the buyer and/or seller once the bill is issued and paid. Her comments underscored Proper Title’s proactive approach to protecting all parties and ensuring smooth, timely closings despite the ongoing tax bill delays.

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Shortly after we announced the launch of “Brick, Grass (&) Steel,” a new podcast exploring how the built environment shapes equitable, sustainable and resilient communities, buzz quickly grew across the real estate industry. Hosted by Collete English Dixon, executive director of Taylor Johnson client Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate (MBIRE) at Roosevelt University, the podcast first landed in Connect CRE Chicago & Midwest’s People & Company News column. Next, Crain’s Chicago Business invited English Dixon to author commentary inspired by the podcast’s conversations for its Crain’s Forum on neighborhood vitality. The end result was a Crain’s op-ed that expands on how the built environment can advance equity, sustainability and resilience in communities.

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The closure of Chicago’s Robert Emmet Elementary School in 2013 created a gap in resources for the underserved Austin neighborhood on the city’s West Side. Aiming to transform this loss into an opportunity for the community, the nonprofit organizations Westside Health Authority and Austin Coming Together collaborated with Taylor Johnson client Lamar Johnson Collaborative to reimagine the century-old building. Serving as a beacon of reinvestment, the renovated structure is now home to the Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation, a vibrant hub for job training, entrepreneurship and community events. We pitched a profile of the project to Metropolis Magazine, resulting in the latest of several features highlighting its positive impact on the neighborhood. Additionally, the Aspire Center was featured as one of Chicago Sun-Times architecture critic Lee Bey’s top 5 must-see sites at this year’s Open House Chicago.

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While the office market has faced headwinds as of late, some positive trends are emerging in Chicago’s CBD, according to the latest quarterly downtown research report from Taylor Johnson client Bradford Allen. TJ publicized the report’s key takeaways in a press release sent to local media, resulting in a feature story in REjournals. Drawing from the firm’s research, the article discussed how the direct vacancy rate kept pace with the previous quarter, even as the negative 173,000 square feet of absorption signaled a drastic improvement over the second quarter’s negative 1.7 million square feet. The report also pointed to $376 million in office investment sales year to date, with financing favoring those owners focused on improving systems, adding amenities and delivering ready-to-occupy space. Additional coverage appeared in Connect CRE Chicago & Midwest and CRE MarketBeat.

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It’s been a monumental year for Taylor Johnson client GI Stone, a supplier, fabricator and installer of stone for commercial and luxury residential design projects. In addition to completing a notable portfolio of CRE projects, the firm officially launched its Luxury Residential Division earlier this year, racking up an impressive book of work spanning from Hinsdale and Chicago’s North Shore to Three Oaks, Mich. And this August, company president Sandya Dandamudi hosted a party at the IO Theater to celebrate the firm’s 30th anniversary. Confident Builder Magazine readers would take interest in Dandamudi’s multi-faceted perspective, we pitched a Q&A with Dandamudi to the outlet, resulting in an illuminating addition to its 5 Questions With series.

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AI has the potential to be widely used across many aspects of multifamily operations, which makes it crucial to have a focused strategy for deciding when, where and how to implement AI technology, according to a group of industry experts who were part of a recent Multi-Housing News MHN Voices webinar on the subject. Among the panelists was Tim Kramer, vice president and director of operations with Taylor Johnson client Draper and Kramer, Incorporated, whom the MHN team invited to participate via TJ based on his reputation as a frequent speaker and media source on the use of AI in property management. During the discussion, Kramer emphasized that a key to choosing and incorporating an AI tool is involving the end users in the piloting and implementation process to ensure the technology truly adds value and not only improves efficiency, but also maintains and even enhances resident satisfaction.

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As the post-pandemic office market recalibrates, residential building conversions are reshaping urban centers by removing obsolete space and drawing in new residents who can support businesses outside of the 9-to-5. To explore the trend, Taylor Johnson connected Chicago Business Journal with Warren Strovel of client Friedman Properties. The resulting article highlighted the evolving opportunities in downtown Chicago. Drawing on Friedman Properties’ experience cultivating a thriving mixed-use district in River North, Strovel noted that the same principles can apply to the Loop, where an influx of residents could breathe new life into downtown and ultimately boost demand for the office space that remains.

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Despite the dire need for multifamily housing across the country, developers often face backlash to new apartment developments from neighbors and community groups expressing a “not in my backyard” or NIMBY sentiment. Common complaints, many of them unjustified, are concerns over parking, design continuity and environmental effects. When Multifamily Dive reached out to us for expert insights on the broader impacts of NIMBYism, we connected the outlet with Taylor Johnson client Evergreen Real Estate Group. In the resulting article, Evergreen’s David Block discussed how the pushback his team has encountered varies by location, with core markets like Chicago and Denver more receptive to affordable housing proposals because the need is more apparent.

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Taylor Johnson is pleased to announce a limited number of individual tickets are now available for the 36th annual Real Estate Forum, hosted by the Lincoln Park Builders of Chicago. Widely considered one of the city’s top real estate gatherings, the annual event brings together more than 1,000 local industry professionals for an evening of networking, socializing and dealmaking. Taylor Johnson is proud to have been a partner in executing the Forum since 2012, from planning and marketing to day-of management. With the theme of “Big Shoulders, Big Ambition: Bridging Policy and Market Forces for a Stronger Chicago,” this year’s program will feature an esteemed panel of industry, civic and government leaders. Participants and honorees include:

• Panel Moderator: Alan Lev, chairman, Belgravia Group, Ltd. 
• Panelists: James Cappleman, former alderman, Chicago’s 46th Ward; John Cullerton, former president, Illinois Senate; Gregory Mutz, chairman and CEO, AMLI Residential Partners, LLC 
• Keynote Speaker: Jennifer Parks, executive director, Habitat for Humanity Chicago 
• Impact Award Winner: Michael Glasser, president, Neighborhood Building Owners Alliance 

We hope you’ll mark your calendar for Thursday, Nov. 20, at Theater on the Lake and count yourself among the who’s who of Chicago real estate joining us for the 2025 Forum. And if you need assistance with planning a real estate event of your own, please contact Emily Johnson to learn more about our event management services.  

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Front and center! After Taylor Johnson pitched the Chicago Tribune on the rise of luxury suburban multifamily developments, the resulting article made the front cover of the real estate section. With housing costs high and interest rates still elevated, more renters are seeking high-end apartments that offer more space, more amenities and more lifestyle. The suburban rental market remains strong as young families, empty nesters and retirees alike look for the quality and comfort provided by today’s top developers. TJ clients Optima, Inc. and Wingspan Development Group were spotlighted as standout examples of this movement, with Wingspan earning two project mentions in the story.

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The lack of home inventory is felt across Chicagoland, including collar counties like Kane County where Taylor Johnson client Lexington Homes is rising to meet the demand for more housing with Geneva Crossing, a new community of 40 townhomes. Lexington recently announced two major milestones at the community: the opening of three model townhomes, and sales surpassing the 25% sold mark. We shared news of the models opening — highlighting how the plans not only feature kitchens that rival those in a single-family home in size, but also offer up to four bedrooms and 3½ baths — and secured both a print and online feature in the Daily Herald.  

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As commercial interiors firm and Taylor Johnson client Mary Cook Associates (MCA) continues to expand its presence in the student housing sector, TJ secured an opportunity for MCA Senior Vice President Josh Kassing to share his expertise as a guest on the Multi-Housing News “Student Housing Unlocked” podcast. In the resulting episode, Kassing discusses MCA’s design process, emphasizing that successful student housing spaces require flexibility and authenticity, and should be created around research-driven insights rather than trends. He also highlights the importance of tailored solutions, including the firm’s recently launched “Built to Spec” unit furnishings, and movement away from catalog-based design to create thoughtful, functional environments that resonate with today’s residents. Kassing and the MCA team are currently attending the annual NMHC Student Housing Conference, taking place October 20 – 22 at the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort in Scottsdale, Ariz.

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Growth is in high gear for Taylor Johnson client Nicholas Family of Companies, which is driving its automotive dealership construction services nationwide with the acquisition of Joseph Nicholas Construction Corporation (JNC), a construction firm specializing in auto dealerships. JNC will relocate from Schaumburg, Ill., to the Nicholas Family of Companies headquarters in nearby Mount Prospect as the company fuels rising demand for automotive facilities across the country. TJ distributed a press release announcing the acquisition and highlighting the growing national momentum in automotive facility development, revving up coverage across multiple industry publications: Bisnow Chicago, Chicago Business Journal, Connect CRE Chicago & Midwest, CRE MarketBeat, Daily Herald, REjournals and REBusinessOnline

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Strong demand for Class A warehouse space near the Indianapolis International Airport has fueled a new 68,486-square-foot lease between Ashley DSG, the world’s largest Ashley Furniture licensee, and Taylor Johnson client HSA Commercial Real Estate at Gateway Industrial V in Plainfield, Ind. The lease brings the 262,758-square-foot building to full occupancy, reinforcing the strength of the metro’s Southwest submarket. TJ secured media coverage of the lease transaction in Building Indiana Business, REBusinessOnline, REjournals and Connect CRE Chicago & Midwest, generating visibility for HSA’s success in delivering modern, well-located industrial facilities.

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Get ready for Chicago’s biggest Halloween bash! On Saturday, Oct. 25, Illumination Chicago returns to Moonlight Studios for its ninth year, turning the space into the city’s largest costume party. Expect glowing art, immersive installations, costumed servers, floating dessert tables, live DJ sets and more — and all for a good cause. Founded in 2016 by Shawn Clark, CEO of Taylor Johnson client CRG, the annual event has since raised nearly $12 million to support rare disease research.

Join TJ and CRG for a night dedicated to shining a light on hope and cures. This year’s goal is to raise another $1 million, so click here to make a donation or purchase tickets before they sell out! Act quickly and use promo code 50OFFIN2025 for a special discount limited to the first 10 ticket orders.

Building on years of rapid growth and industry recognition, Taylor Johnson client Proper Title, LLC, has appointed Jeff Gross as president to lead its next phase of national expansion. The @properties Christie’s International Real Estate-affiliated title insurance agency tapped Gross, a veteran of Fidelity National Title and Chicago Title, to guide the firm’s residential and commercial growth strategy. TJ developed and distributed the announcement highlighting his 30 years of experience and strategic vision, earning coverage in The Title Report, American Land Title Association, Bisnow Chicago, REjournals and Connect CRE Chicago & Midwest.

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One of Chicago’s premier CRE events of the season is almost here. This Thursday, join Taylor Johnson client Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate (MBIRE) at Roosevelt University for the 24th Annual Real Estate Gala — a can’t-miss fall gathering for the city’s top commercial real estate leaders. Network with industry power players, connect with the next generation of innovators and celebrate two outstanding honorees: Toni Preckwinkle, president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, who will receive the 2025 Civic Leadership Icon Award, and Doug Doig, president of Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives, who will be honored with the Community Development Leadership Award.

It’s also the perfect opportunity to see the TJ events team in action after months of thoughtful planning and coordination. We look forward to welcoming MBIRE’s incredible supporters and celebrating one of the nation’s most diverse graduate real estate programs. There’s still time to sponsor the Gala and showcase your brand.

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As the definition of “luxury” in multifamily housing continues to evolve, top developers and designers are rethinking their priorities and approaches for delivering exceptional experiences for residents. For a recent UNITS Magazine story on what luxury means in today’s multifamily market, Taylor Johnson offered writer Barbara Ballinger expert insights from clients Habitat and Mary Cook Associates. In the resulting story, Habitat spotlighted the offerings of its Class A communities such as Cassidy on Canal in downtown Chicago, where upscale design, skyline views, extensive amenities and service come together to deliver an elevated living experience. Commercial interior design firm Mary Cook Associates emphasized how today’s concept of luxury extends beyond aesthetics to include sensory design, comfort, ergonomics and emotional connection, with every finish and furnishing optimized for maximum impact and functionality.

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Abundant natural light has long been in demand from homebuyers, and today, builders are finding ever more innovative ways to deliver homes that optimize and enhance daylight. When Builder magazine recently reached out looking for a source to discuss the topic, we connected the writer with Taylor Johnson client Lexington Homes. In the resulting article, Lexington’s principal, Jeff Benach, shares how the builder designed windows to balance daylight, privacy and cost in its two new Chicago-area townhome communities — Gateway in Northbrook and Geneva Crossing in Geneva. For example, while windows in some elevations nearly doubled in size, the builder also switched out back door styles, creating a continuous run of windows in a kitchen and netting more daylight.

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Few sectors of commercial real estate have felt the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic like the office market, and the conversation continues as RTO policies evolve. Given Taylor Johnson’s many clients who are experts in office brokerage, development, design and management, our team suggested a story on the topic to Forbes reporter Jeffrey Steele. The resulting article offers insights from Ben Azulay, president of national brokerage at Bradford Allen; Marilyn Russell, director of workplace strategies for Baker Barrios Architects; Tom Murphy, managing director for Hiffman National; and Michael Klein, co-founder and managing principal at Glenstar, on how to determine the right size space, what amenities are still considered “must haves,” and why flexible design is key to an office that can adjust to fluctuations in headcount.

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In the rapidly evolving world of residential real estate, the growing divide between independent brokerages and corporate conglomerates is influencing not only boardroom decisions but also the career paths of top agents such as veteran broker Peter Cummins, who recently left Compass subsidiary @properties to join Taylor Johnson client Baird & Warner. Recognizing news of Cummins joining the firm as an opportunity to reinforce Baird & Warner’s corporate positioning, the TJ team generated coverage that conveyed how Cummins’ decision was driven by Baird & Warner’s culture of independence and support for a transparent housing market, including opposition to office exclusives. The effort secured coverage in The Real Deal Chicago, Chicago Agent Magazine, Inman, Real Estate News, HousingWire and Connect CRE Chicago & Midwest, highlighting how Baird & Warner’s commitment to local ownership, transparency and fair housing continues to attract top talent in a consolidating industry increasingly dominated by Wall Street interests.

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While tariffs impact practically every aspect of the economy, they’re particularly onerous for those procuring construction materials, such as Taylor Johnson client GI Stone, a leading supplier, fabricator and installer of stone — much of it sourced from outside the U.S. — for commercial and luxury residential projects. When we learned the Chicago Tribune was writing a story on how tariffs are impacting the commercial real estate industry, we offered GI Stone President Sandya Dandamudi as a source. Featuring Dandamudi and several other prominent real estate pros, the Tribune article was picked up by newspapers nationwide, as well as sites like MSN and Yahoo! Finance.

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Taylor Johnson client Marquette Companies, leveraging its experience in value-add multifamily, recently launched its Marquette SE Fund 25 — a co-investment sponsor equity fund with a $15 million target. To help spread the word, TJ coordinated with Chicago Business Journal for a story on the fund and secured coverage in other outlets including Bisnow Chicago, Connect CRE Chicago & Midwest and REjournals. Read about the fund here, including why the firm sees so much opportunity for investment in the Midwest.

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With the swing of nearly 30 shovels, Chicago took a historic leap toward its future Tuesday as Taylor Johnson clients Related Midwest, CRG and Lamar Johnson Collaborative joined Governor Pritzker, Mayor Johnson, civic leaders, project partners and local residents on the city’s South Side to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP), the first phase of Quantum Shore Chicago, a 440-acre master-planned technology and innovation district along the lakefront in South Chicago. Anchored by PsiQuantum, which aims to build and deploy America’s first million-qubit scale, fault-tolerant quantum computer, the IQMP is positioned to become the largest quantum ecosystem in North America, catalyzing billions in investment and thousands of jobs. In collaboration with the governor’s office, news of the event was shared via embargoed interviews and press releases, with prominent coverage in outlets including the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Crain’s Chicago Business, CoStar, Morningstar, Reuters, Quantum Insider, REjournals, Block Club Chicago, REBusinessOnline, and local ABC, NBC, PBS and FOX broadcast affiliates.

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Downtown Chicago is buzzing again. For a recent Chicago Sun-Times feature on Loop office momentum, Taylor Johnson connected the reporter with two client experts: Andy DeMoss of Bradford Allen and Alexandria Borrego of Hiffman National. Both report a clear pickup in activity with an increase in companies touring larger blocks of space and prioritizing upgraded, amenity-rich offices near dining and transit. DeMoss notes his team is completing more office and retail deals downtown, while Borrego sees tenants trading up for highly activated buildings.

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In response to news of ongoing consolidation in residential brokerage, Taylor Johnson has been positioning client Baird & Warner to provide the counterpoint to the trend, emphasizing its independence and strength in the greater Chicago area. When the latest news about the planned acquisition of Anywhere Real Estate by Compass appeared last week, we connected Baird & Warner’s fifth-generation leader Steve Baird with The Real Deal Chicago as the voice of local ownership. In the resulting story, Baird emphasized how his firm’s legacy, deep regional roots and financial discipline make it a strong alternative for agents and clients seeking stability, integrity and transparency in a shifting marketplace. The story was a strong piece of positive PR for Baird & Warner, highlighting the firm as a trusted, enduring voice in an evolving industry increasingly dominated by Wall Street-backed deals.

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Creating a rewarding and supportive workplace is a cornerstone of success in any industry, including commercial real estate. The Taylor Johnson team recently had the opportunity to share examples of this from leading CRE firms as we assisted several clients with nominations for GlobeSt.’s “CRE’s Best Places to Work” recognition for 2025, showcasing programs, initiatives and best practices that result in high levels of employee satisfaction and have a direct impact on overall company performance. We are proud — but not surprised — to say three TJ clients were among the firms honored by GlobeSt. this year: GI Stone, with its “pay it forward” philosophy that drives hiring from underserved communities and mentorship for every new employee; Draper and Kramer, Incorporated, which formalized the “DK Way,” an approach to work rooted in the ownership mindset the firm’s culture has instilled across all levels of the company; and NAI Hiffman | Hiffman National, where “Hiffman U” offers team members ongoing professional development opportunities. Congratulations to all three on this recognition!

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As the fourth quarter approaches, Team TJ is always prepared to offer insights from clients on what’s ahead in the new year. When Multi-Housing News reached out for a story on marketing priorities, we knew Taylor Johnson client Marquette Companies could offer perspective from across its 14,000-plus-unit portfolio. In the article, Matthew Mehon, director of marketing for Marquette, emphasized that, among other things, strengthening training and technology for on-site teams will be essential in the year ahead, and he shared his formula for success: Double down on what works, cut what doesn’t and scale only after value is proven.

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What is a “chain scale” and why is it important? Taylor Johnson recently connected client Bradford Allen with Hotel Management for a story looking into what determines a hotel’s position along the chain scale — and how or when it can move up. In the resulting piece, Aghfar Arun of Bradford Allen discussed the company’s recent $30 million redevelopment of the Hyatt Rosemont Chicago O’Hare into the Hyatt Centric Chicago O’Hare, a 206-room hotel featuring elevated design and amenities and a completely redeveloped in-house restaurant, CIMA. BA’s hospitality platform has grown since 2022 to seven properties nationally totaling approximately 900 rooms.

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Following the resounding success of its first luxury rental community in the Milwaukee region, 42 Hundred on the Lake, Taylor Johnson client M&R Development has returned to St. Francis, Wis., for an encore with the groundbreaking of The Bluffs on Lake. While 42 Hundred on the Lake ushered in a new era of luxury rental living in the area and leased up in record time four years ago, renter demand today has only increased for apartments offering a lakefront location, stylish residences and a full suite of resort-style amenities that allow residents to live, work and play from home. We shared news of the groundbreaking with media, resulting in coverage in outlets like BizTimes Milwaukee, Finance & Commerce, Milwaukee Business Journal, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, REBusinessOnline and Urban Milwaukee.

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With more kids than ever hitting the ice for hockey — including 90,000 girls under 18, according to USA Hockey — new rinks are in high demand. That’s why TJ client Nicholas Family of Companies recently announced it is building another new hockey rink, this one in Elk Grove Village, a Chicago suburb, bringing its total number of ice arenas to four. To share the story, Taylor Johnson pitched CEO and Managing Director Nick Papanicholas Jr. to WGN Radio’s Wintrust Business Lunch. As part of a true “hockey family,” Papanicholas knows what players and parents value most: early ice times for kids, study rooms to balance school and sport, and lounges and eateries for adults. A recognized expert in ice arena development, he was the perfect source to explain how new rinks meet the sport’s rapid growth.

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One of the greatest rewards of a long career in real estate is the ability to share hard-earned insights with others. Craig Martin and Mary Cook, with Taylor Johnson clients Interra Realty and Mary Cook Associates, respectively, recently weighed in with Multi-Housing News sharing advice they wish they’d gotten when first starting out. Martin spoke about the industry’s true value — long-term relationships — and how cultivating them has created opportunities and deepened his understanding of the multifamily brokerage business. Cook emphasized how each multifamily interior she designs requires a unique approach, and she has learned to take joy in the discovery that comes from each project. 

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With so many different types of stone available, it pays to work with an expert like Sandya Dandamudi, president of Taylor Johnson client GI Stone, when selecting counter surfaces. A veritable ‘rock’ star with an encyclopedic knowledge of stone accumulated over 30 years of supplying, fabricating and installing stone for commercial real estate and, more recently, luxury residential projects, Dandamudi was top of mind when Livingetc needed a source for a story on soapstone countertops. Naturally, the reporter included Dandamudi’s multi-faceted perspective in the story, where she weighed in on the pros and cons of using the softer stone for countertops.   

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While overall home square footage has decreased in recent years, the TJ Team noticed many of the kitchens in our clients’ projects were actually increasing in size. So, we pitched the idea of supersized kitchens in smaller homes earlier this summer to an editor at Builder, who wanted more time to explore the topic. Good things come to those who wait. When the editor circled back last month, we connected her with Taylor Johnson clients Lexington Homes, Marquette Companies and Wingspan Development Group — providing three out of four sources for the piece. The resulting story, which also ran in Builder’s daily e-blast, includes top tips and insights on how builders can maximize square footage in townhome kitchens.  

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As housing affordability challenges continue to impact first-time buyers across Chicagoland, Taylor Johnson recently secured a guest appearance for client Baird & Warner on WGN Radio’s “Wintrust Business Lunch” to showcase how Chicago’s oldest and largest independent family-owned brokerage is expanding access to homeownership. During the broadcast segment, Lucy Baird, the firm’s company historian and director of community impact for its Good Will Works philanthropic arm, discussed Baird & Warner’s partnerships with local nonprofits including Habitat for Humanity, Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance, Spanish Coalition for Housing and YWCA. These partners provide affordable housing investments, multilingual homeownership classes, credit-building tools and financial empowerment programs to help first-time buyers succeed. The conversation highlighted how these efforts work together to build an “equitable housing ecosystem” that aims to address historic patterns of disinvestment, redlining and segregation while opening pathways to homeownership and strengthening Chicagoland neighborhoods.

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Taylor Johnson client Mary Cook Associates (MCA), an award-winning national commercial interior design firm, recently garnered media attention after completing the interiors at two boutique luxury rental communities in northern New Jersey — Park & Arbor in Old Tappan and 619 North in Ho-Ho-Kus. Both properties showcase MCA’s expertise in maximizing every square foot to create functional, thoughtfully designed amenity spaces and residences that appeal to a broad range of residents, from younger professionals to downsizers seeking an upscale rental lifestyle in a suburban setting. TJ promoted MCA’s work through a press release that generated national and local media coverage in outlets including Building Design & Construction, Yield PRO, ROI-NJ, Real Estate NJ, Jersey Digs, REBusinessOnline and MultifamilyBiz, underscoring industry interest in the growing demand for design-forward multifamily communities.

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With the Dallas-Fort Worth office market on pace to see its best new leasing figures (in square feet) in three years, the flight to quality is competitive. Amenities that enhance the tenant experience are crucial, which is why three high-profile companies recently chose to relocate their headquarters to Terraces at Solana, a Dallas-area office campus redeveloped and managed by Taylor Johnson client Glenstar. Tenants can enjoy nearly 50,000 square feet of amenities at Terraces — ranging from a full-service restaurant and separate upscale lounge with bar service to a state-of-the-art fitness facility and outdoor collaboration areas with firepits. After TJ informed media about the new deals, which total 70,000 square feet and pushed the property to nearly 80% leased, coverage appeared in top outlets like The Real Deal, D Magazine, Bisnow, REBusinessOnline, Realty News Report and Austin Business Daily.

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Demand for new homes is surging in markets like Chicago, while cooling in others as regional differences shape the 2025 housing landscape. To help buyers and industry professionals navigate these shifting dynamics, we pitched insights from Jennifer Cowan, managing director of national developer and Taylor Johnson client Crown Community Development in an exclusive interview with NewHomeSource.com. In the resulting feature, Cowan highlights four key factors – migration trends, land availability, regulatory challenges and construction costs – influencing new home supply in 2025. Her perspective details why competition is intensifying in markets like Chicago and Texas, and how regulatory differences shape opportunities for buyers across the country.

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As a leader in the homebuilding industry for more than four decades, Jeff Benach, principal of Taylor Johnson client Lexington Homes, was the obvious choice to offer Agent Publishing when the media outlet asked TJ for an expert source to pen its next Top Coach column on how agents can best work with homebuilders. In the resulting bylined article, Benach shares insights on what agents should know about working with a builder or developer; how to build and maximize the builder-agent relationship; and just how critical agents are to new-home sales, as around 60% of Lexington’s sales at its current townhome communities come through brokers. The article ran in Chicago Agent Magazine, as well as seven other regional editions of the magazine, including Atlanta, Boston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Houston, Phoenix, Seattle and South Florida.

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When Taylor Johnson client SoLa, a $305 million resort development in downtown Michigan City, Ind., near Lake Michigan, announced earlier this year it was starting sales for its 170 condominiums, the project was splashed across media outlets. Last month, we were able to grab headlines once again with the announcement that Marriott International would open a Renaissance Hotel as the hospitality anchor of SoLa. Both hotel guests and SoLa residents will be able to enjoy the hotel’s full-service spa, fitness center, pool, ballroom, meeting spaces and rooftop restaurant with an open-air dining deck overlooking the lake. As the only Renaissance Hotel between Chicago and the Indianapolis suburb of Carmel, the SoLa location announcement was breaking news for a number of publications, including Hotel Online, Hotel Investment Today, Hotel Management, Northwest Indiana Business Magazine, Inside Indiana Business, Ink Free News, Building Indiana Business, REjournals and Dunes Diva. Click here to read the full story. And stay tuned to TJ TALK for more SoLa news, including the start of sales for the project’s 18 townhomes, many with rooftop decks and sweeping views of Lake Michigan.

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Taylor Johnson client The Nicholas Family of Companies has broken ground on or acquired three Chicago-area ice arenas in the past year — a true hat trick. The newest project, Elk Grove Ice Arena on Meacham Road in Elk Grove Village, Ill., will be an 86,261-square-foot, two-rink complex serving the local hockey community. It joins the-soon-to-open Rosemont Ice Arena in Rosemont, Ill., and Glacier Ice Arena in Vernon Hills, Ill., which Nicholas acquired this summer. TJ announced the Elk Grove Ice Arena milestone through a press release and scored coverage from Athletic Business, Chicago Business Journal, Connect CRE Chicago & Midwest, REBusinessOnline, REjournals, Patch and Youth Sports Business Report.

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Boosting confidence in Chicago’s downtown office market, Taylor Johnson client CRG and its equity partners have scored new leases at the Jewelers Building, their recently acquired 40-story landmark at 35 E. Wacker Drive along the Chicago River. Private equity firm Sheridan Capital Partners will relocate its headquarters to a 25,445-square-foot space, while several existing tenants have extended or expanded their leases, raising building occupancy to nearly 70%. The century-old tower offers a compelling blend of historic character and modern amenities, and new tenants benefit from having TJ client Lamar Johnson Collaborative and its parent company, Clayco, on-site to support the design and build-out of customized workspaces. The news was first shared exclusively with Crain’s Chicago Business and has since been featured in CoStar, The Real Deal Chicago, REBusinessOnline, Chicago Business Journal, Connect CRE Chicago & Midwest and CRE MarketBeat.

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Taylor Johnson earned an A+ in landing front-page coverage for client Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate (MBIRE) in the August issue of Heartland Real Estate Business. The story highlights the experiential learning approaches of several universities offering top-notch real estate programs, with MBIRE at Roosevelt University leading the article. Additionally, MBIRE Executive Director Collete English Dixon participated in a Q&A with the media outlet, sharing how the university’s MSRE, MBA and BSBA offerings as well as graduate certificates prepare students for their CRE careers. The piece closes with a summer internship reflection from 2025 MBIRE graduate Davide Comai, giving the institute both the opening and closing perspective.

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Like many cities across the country, Denver has a critical need for affordable workforce housing, especially around the Denver Health Hospital Campus, one of the city’s densest employment centers. To help fill this void, Taylor Johnson client Evergreen Real Estate Group is developing The Ford Apartments, an income-restricted rental community with 60 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments adjacent to the campus. Our team worked with Evergreen to announce it had closed on the land and received a 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) award through the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA), with a groundbreaking anticipated in early 2026. Various outlets covered the news as a result of our outreach, including Bisnow, Colorado Real Estate Journal, Denver Business Journal, Mile High CRE, REBusinessOnline and What Now Denver.

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For multifamily owners and operators, consolidating certain functions across regions or portfolios can be an effective strategy to create efficiencies. But according to industry experts, there are nuances and special considerations to weigh before centralizing leasing, operations, resident services and administrative tasks. When Multi-Housing News tackled this topic for a recent issue, we were quick to connect the reporter with Taylor Johnson clients and seasoned property managers Draper and Kramer, Incorporated and Habitat. In the resulting story, Draper and Kramer’s Tim Kramer touted the time-saving advantages of consolidating and automating some day-to-day tasks — noting it frees up staff to be more available for individual queries and requests — while also advising team members still need to stay aware of the details. “As a general rule, automate the routine and personalize the exceptional,” he said. Meanwhile, Habitat’s Wendy Deetjen points to areas where centralization must be balanced with a personal touch, such as amenities and programming — where delivering an exceptional experience typically requires on-site presence and real-time engagement.  

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For frequent TJ TALK readers, you’ll know last Thursday’s feature was the “How Does Young Talent Break Into Today’s CRE Job Market?” Bisnow story we pitched, which was Bisnow’s most-read website article the day it published. Knowing the topic of CRE interns was drawing high readership numbers, we gathered insights from five summer interns on very different career paths about their experiences working in the industry and pitched it to Building Design + Construction. The resulting article features interns affiliated with Taylor Johnson clients Baker Barrios Architects, Hiffman National, McHugh Construction and Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate. The piece covers everything from the interns’ favorite job responsibilities and lessons learned to their hopes for CRE’s future and the challenges they think lie ahead for the industry.   

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Optima Verdana, a 100-unit luxury apartment community in downtown Wilmette, Ill., by Taylor Johnson client Optima, Inc., recently welcomed popular breakfast, brunch and lunch spot Egg Harbor Cafe to its ground-floor retail space. The 4,100-square-foot restaurant, which seats 140, is Egg Harbor’s second location within an Optima community – its first was the 2019 debut of Egg Harbor Streeterville at Optima Signature in downtown Chicago. The grand opening reflects a broader trend of restaurants leasing space in multifamily developments, where they often serve as extensions of resident amenities and community gathering spots. TJ secured media coverage of the Wilmette opening in What Now Chicago, The Record North Shore, Patch Wilmette-Kenilworth, REBusinessOnline, Connect CRE Chicago & Midwest and CRE MarketBeat.

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Each year, thousands of college students, as well as recent graduates, vie for summer internships with CRE firms to gain real-world experience that will help further their chosen career paths. After hearing from our clients about their amazing interns while also reading headlines about the tight market for entry-level CRE jobs, we put two and two together and pitched Bisnow Chicago on the idea of talking to current CRE interns to get their insights on what it takes to launch a career in the industry. The resulting story included interviews with interns from Taylor Johnson clients NAI Hiffman and McHugh Construction who described the meaty work they were performing that could give them a leg up on their peers when entering the labor force, plus hiring intel and the role AI plays in entry-level CRE jobs from TJ client Draper and Kramer, Incorporated.

The article obviously struck a nerve, as it was the most-read story on the Bisnow website for August 7, as noted by Bisnow First Draft. Since readers can’t get enough about interns making an impact on CRE, stay tuned to TJ TALK next week for more on the topic.  

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Live-work-play communities thrive when they integrate all facets of modern life, and increasingly, the work component comprises not only offices and storefronts but also thoughtfully designed warehouses that support employment and economic growth. Taylor Johnson client HSA Commercial Real Estate is among the developers remixing mixed-use districts, having built a 226,321-square-foot speculative industrial facility at Pabst Farms, the 1,500-acre master-planned community in Oconomowoc, Wis., about 35 miles west of Milwaukee. By combining residential, retail, office and now industrial uses, Pabst Farms continues to demonstrate the power of a balanced, amenity-rich community. We shared the news through a press release that generated coverage in WisBusiness, The Freeman, The Daily Reporter, Connect CRE Chicago & Midwest, REBusinessOnline and CRE MarketBeat. 

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The city of Chicago recently passed an ordinance eliminating parking minimums near public transit, drastically reducing the need for off-street parking in new or redeveloped housing projects. Recognizing the impact this could have on multifamily development and investment, Taylor Johnson proactively pitched media and connected the Chicago Sun-Times with Alex Cohen of client Interra Realty for his insights. The resulting article explored how less parking in multifamily developments can lead to an increase in unit count, among other impacts. According to Cohen, neighborhoods like Jefferson Park, Portage Park and other Blue Line-adjacent communities on the Northwest Side could see the biggest boost from increased density. 

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Taylor Johnson client and commercial construction firm Nicholas & Associates recently broke ground on The Ridge at Village Park, a 10,100-square-foot freestanding pavilion with 14,500 square feet of covered outdoor space and an open-air stage in Sussex, Wis. The project is part of the $7.8 million contract Nicholas & Associates was awarded to build two structures at Sussex Village Park — the other being the Sussex Parks Maintenance Facility, an approximately 10,500-square-foot building that will serve as the Parks Department’s new headquarters. TJ broke the news to media, securing coverage in Greater Milwaukee Today and landing the top story in The Daily Reporter.

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Ready or not, it was back-to-school time for most Chicagoland students this week. To help with the “ready” part, Taylor Johnson client McHugh Construction hosted a Backpacks & BBQ event last week where team members handed out backpacks and school supplies to 200 students in grades K-12. The event was held in North Lawndale, where McHugh has been busy building the $200 million Ogden Commons mixed-use, mixed-income development for fellow TJ client Habitat. Students were able to select from a colorful assortment of backpacks and supplies and then joined their families in a BBQ courtesy of McHugh. As noted in Chicago Construction News, the event was so well attended — all 200 backpacks were distributed — McHugh committed to delivering another 100 backpacks and supplies to the Upper Room Missionary Baptist Church in North Lawndale today. Cheers to a great school year for all students, teachers, admin and staff!

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Since joining Taylor Johnson client GI Stone in 2016, Project Director Sai Uppalapati has moved proverbial mountains — and toured more than a few quarried ones — for the leading supplier, fabricator and installer of stone for commercial and residential real estate projects. During his tenure, Uppalapati has improved the firm’s environmental footprint by implementing procedures to reduce water usage; enhanced shop safety with new dust-busting technologies; played a key role in expanding its operations to Nashville; and overseen the debut of its Luxury Residential Division. Recognizing his contributions and potential, we weren’t surprised when REjournals agreed with our pitch to feature Uppalapati as a CRE Future Leader. 

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Renewed interest in outdoor and social activities over the past five years has seen golf explode in popularity. Multifamily developers and designers are teeing up their communities to meet this demand, adding off-course options like simulators and putting greens that bring the game’s social and recreational perks to residents. Hearing from clients how much golf amenities drive engagement, Taylor Johnson recently pitched the trend to Forbes.com, highlighting multiple properties. As featured in the resulting story, Wingspan Development Group’s The Ruby at Brookfield Square in Brookfield, Wis., offers residents a year-round golf simulator and direct access to nearby courses, while Optima, Inc. pairs simulators with sports lounges featuring indoor pickleball and basketball courts at its Illinois and Arizona communities. RMK Management Corp.’s Apex 41 in Lombard, Ill., ups the game with both a simulator and outdoor putting green, and Mary Cook Associates extends the trend to student housing with the Tee Box Sports Lounge it designed for The 87, an off-campus community near the University of Notre Dame.

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Taylor Johnson client Marquette Management continues to expand its third-party property management portfolio with a contract at Emblem Oswego, a new 312-unit luxury multifamily community located in the highly regarded Oswego Community Unit School District 308 in the southwest suburbs of Chicago. This marks the management firm’s second community in Oswego, following its first at Farmington Lakes Apartments. The TJ team shared the news of the contract, which exemplifies the firm’s strength and expertise in property management, resulting in coverage in: Connect CRE Chicago & Midwest, CRE MarketBeat, Patch, REjournals and Shaw Local. 

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Taylor Johnson client Wingspan Development Group, in partnership with Tucker Development, is introducing 49 rental townhomes at The Henry At Harms Woods, a new 294-unit mixed-use community on Old Orchard Road in Skokie, Ill. The spacious three- and four-bedroom townhomes — including the four-bedroom Maple and Oak floor plans with 3½ baths and approximately 2,500 square feet — are now open for tours. Strategically located near Life Time Fitness, the Harms Woods Forest Preserve and Westfield Old Orchard, the new development meets the growing demand for upscale, larger rental options in Chicago’s North Shore. TJ highlighted the demand for luxury townhomes paired with the project announcement to the media, generating coverage in: Bisnow Chicago, REBusinessOnline, Patch and Yield PRO.

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When smart business strategies align with good housing policies, it’s a win-win for all. Taylor Johnson recently helped client Interra Realty place a byline with Multifamily & Affordable Housing Business delving into how initiatives such as Cook County’s Affordable Housing Special Assessment Program can boost both affordable housing preservation and investors’ bottom lines. The article outlined the program’s approach of offering tax incentives to owners who renovate affordable rental properties, aiming to narrow the housing affordability gap. The program and others like it also incentivize further investment by creating a clearer financial path for buyers interested in properties needing substantial repairs, thanks to reduced and more predictable taxes.

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Responding to the rising demand for strategically located, smaller-footprint urban warehouses, Taylor Johnson client CRG has broken ground on The Cubes at Cicero, an 85,680-square-foot development near Chicago’s Midway International Airport. Designed by TJ client Lamar Johnson Collaborative, CRG’s integrated architecture and design firm, this project adds much-needed space to the city’s tightly constrained industrial infill market. We shared news of the development with media, securing this feature story in Chicago Business Journal and additional coverage in Bisnow Chicago, REjournals, REBusinessOnline, Connect CRE Chicago & Midwest, Urbanize Chicago, Chicago Construction News and CRE MarketBeat.

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When Taylor Johnson client McHugh Construction shared updates on two sports facility projects — the renovation of the Dobson Ice Arena in Vail, Colo., and preconstruction for the new Wagner Community Center in Elmhurst, Ill. — we knew we had a winning story. Our team drafted a press release spotlighting McHugh’s deep roster of sports and recreational work, from pro arenas to community anchors, as well as design details for its two newest projects. The result? Coverage that scored big in REjournals, Bisnow Chicago, REBusinessOnline and Real Vail. 

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Without data, you’re just another person with an opinion — and increasingly, as a result of our team’s outreach, reporters are relying on data and analysis from Taylor Johnson client Bradford Allen to help them explain what’s going on in Chicago’s downtown and suburban office markets. For example, in its recent article on the potential sale of the Merchandise Mart, the Chicago Sun-Times cited BA research on the CBD and River North office vacancy rates. WBBM Newsradio and Chicago Business Journal also recently cited BA stats in their own coverage of market trends. Read the full BA research reports here: “Q2/25 Office Market Report: Downtown Chicago” | “Mid-Year 2025 Office Market Report: Suburban Chicago.”

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The weather is hot — and so is the media coverage for Taylor Johnson client The Nicholas Family of Companies, which recently acquired the two-rink, 63,000-square-foot Glacier Ice Arena in Vernon Hills, Ill. Sold by one local hockey family to another, Glacier will undergo select renovations and be managed by Nicholas’ Spectate Group. “We envision this facility as more than just a place to skate,” said Nick Papanicholas Jr., chief executive officer and managing director of the Nicholas Family of Companies. “We want it to be a space where the community can gather before, during and after the puck drop.” The TJ team secured a story about the acquisition in Youth Sports Business Report as well as coverage in Athletic Business, Bisnow Chicago, Chicago Business Journal, Daily Herald, IAVM’s Front Row, Patch Vernon Hills and REjournals. 

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As housing affordability remains a significant issue, ​developers must navigate an ever-changing and complex landscape. When Heartland Real Estate Business sought expert insights into how affordable housing development differs from traditional market-rate multifamily projects, Taylor Johnson was proud to connect reporters with clients Habitat and Evergreen Real Estate Group. In the resulting article, Charlton Hamer, senior vice president of Habitat Affordable Group, highlighted the financing challenges of affordable housing, which often relies on public-private partnerships and layered funding. He also emphasized Habitat’s focus on community impact, with affordable projects combining housing, transit, health care and job opportunities. David Block, director of development at Evergreen, noted affordable housing development involves integrating a complex web of tax credits and other financing tools with regulatory and environmental compliance, which often extends project timelines beyond typical design or entitlement phases.

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When popular real estate photography company VHT Studios abruptly announced it would permanently shut down, Taylor Johnson client Baird & Warner moved quickly to launch its own in-house Image Services division within 48 hours. Team TJ acted just as fast, working over the weekend to secure an exclusive in Crain’s Chicago Business and distribute a Monday morning press release that was picked up by The Real Deal Chicago, Chicago Agent Magazine, HousingWire and Connect CRE Chicago & Midwest. The resulting media coverage showcased Baird & Warner’s ability — as Chicagoland’s largest independent, family-owned brokerage — to respond swiftly and strategically to industry changes to ensure continued success for agents and their clients. The new photography division is led by Shannon Lange, former area sales and account manager for VHT Studios, and supported by VHT veterans Michael Johnson and George Tsakanias.

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Construction is underway on the largest master-planned community to be developed in Chicagoland in the past 20 years. Sugar Grove LLC, an entity of Taylor Johnson client Crown Community Development recently broke ground on The Grove, a 760-acre project that will bring more than 1,300 residences, an activated town center, over 200 acres of open space with parks and trails, and a business park to the Village of Sugar Grove. Phase one of construction began last week and includes key utility infrastructure for The Grove’s first residential neighborhood, featuring 214 generously sized lots designed for large single-family homes. We shared The Grove’s exciting news with media and facilitated interviews with CoStar’s Homes.com and the Chicago Tribune. The feature in Homes.com highlighted how this large-scale development will help address the growing demand for new homes in suburban Chicago, while the Tribune feature focused on next steps in the project’s build out. To date, additional coverage of the ground breaking has appeared in the Daily Herald and Bisnow Chicago. 

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In addition to being one of only two new apartment buildings delivering in downtown Chicago in 2025, Taylor Johnson client Straits Row, the new South Loop tower from Q Investment Partners and Melrose Ascension Capital, stands out in another important way: it’s one of the few high-rises to offer co-living units, an increasingly popular rental option among students, young professionals and others benefiting from shared living arrangements. Knowing the Chicago Tribune would be interested in taking a closer look at this growing rental option for those seeking attainable luxury, we connected the outlet with the building’s development and management teams, as well as residents, for a real estate cover story highlighting why co-living holds so much appeal.

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While the widespread adoption of virtual leasing tools has led to greater efficiency, it has also precipitated a rise in fraud, with increased instances of fake documents, stolen identities and AI-generated income records used to secure leases under false pretenses. When UNITS Magazine was looking for sources for an article exploring how multifamily owners and operators are staying ahead of this growing issue, Taylor Johnson was quick to provide insights from clients CRG and Habitat. In the resulting story, our client experts discussed solutions including multifactor ID verification and AI-assisted fraud detection. Both CRG and Habitat also emphasized the importance of combining advanced screening tools with trained leasing staff to stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated fraud tactics.

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At mid-year, the suburban Chicago office market is showing signs of stabilizing. In a recent front-page business section feature in the Daily Herald that we talked to the reporter about earlier this year and pitched expert sources for, Taylor Johnson clients Dan Fernitz of Bradford Allen and Jim Adler of NAI Hiffman share how tenant confidence is returning, with strong leasing from committed small- and mid-size tenants. Fernitz said his focus now is getting tenants into the right space, with some buildings 90% leased or more, while Adler emphasized that amenities and well-designed spec suites are key to attracting today’s office users.

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