Reach an engaged audience of real estate professionals

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.

Read Full Article

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!

Read Full Article

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.

Read Full Article

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.

Read Full Article

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.

Read Full Article

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.

Read Full Article

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. 

Read Full Article

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.   

Read Full Article

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.  

Read Full Article

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.

Read Full Article

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.

Read Full Article

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.

Read Full Article

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.

Read Full Article

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.

Read Full Article

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.

Read Full Article

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.

Read Full Article

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.

Read Full Article

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.

Read Full Article

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.

Read Full Article

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.  

Read Full Article

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.   

Read Full Article

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.

Read Full Article

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.  

Read Full Article

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. 

Read Full Article

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. 

Read Full Article

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.

Read Full Article

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!

Read Full Article

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. 

Read Full Article

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.

Read Full Article

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. 

Read Full Article

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.

Read Full Article

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.

Read Full Article

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.

Read Full Article

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. 

Read Full Article

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.”

Read Full Article

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. 

Read Full Article

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.

Read Full Article

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.

Read Full Article

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. 

Read Full Article

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.

Read Full Article

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.

Read Full Article

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.

Read Full Article

As the life sciences industry continues to push boundaries, so too are real estate developers looking to meet demand for modern, human-centered lab space with the latest in technology and sustainability. When Taylor Johnson client Lendlease recently opened FORUM, a 350,000-square-foot life sciences development in Boston, TJ helped spread the word about the building’s eco-friendly features with a profile in Lab Design News. These strategies include a photovoltaic array integrated into the curtain wall, use of lower-carbon steel and concrete, and a 15,000-gallon cistern to collect and recycle rainwater.

Read Full Article

Taylor Johnson’s first-ever high school workshop, “Behind the Buzz: A Day at Taylor Johnson,” was a huge success — and what a great turnout! This event brought together a group of 10 curious, motivated high schoolers for an immersive look into public relations career options.

Students experienced a coworking office environment; asked thoughtful questions about college and career paths; and explored the fundamentals of media relations, event planning and social media strategy. They even got to put these new skills into practice by developing and presenting their own creative campaign, with TJ team members stepping in as the clients.

It was an engaging day and a meaningful way for us to give back to the next generation of communicators. We look forward to making this an annual tradition, so keep an eye out for next year’s workshop to get a high schooler you know involved.

View More Photos Here

According to UNITS Magazine, five main property types dominate the rental community landscape — townhomes, high-rises, garden-style communities, mid-rise buildings and build-to-rent (BTR) units. When seasoned real estate writer and UNITS contributor Barbara Ballinger reached out to Taylor Johnson for an expert on garden-style apartments, we connected her with client RMK Management Corp. The resulting story features insights from RMK’s EVP Diana Pittro on some of the defining characteristics of a garden-style community, including the typical three-story configuration and suburban location, sometimes walking distance to public transit, as well as lush landscaping and amenities like a clubhouse. 

Read Full Article

On the heels of successfully launching Built to Spec, a new first-to-market furnishings solution for student housing developments, Taylor Johnson client Mary Cook Associates (MCA) has a lot to say about the power of furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) in elevating multifamily living. For a recent Q&A in Multi-Housing News, MCA founder and president Mary Cook shared how FF&E has evolved from a finishing touch to a strategic tool with the power to shape the resident experience, support branding and retention efforts and distinguish properties within an increasingly competitive market. In the feature, Cook discusses how thoughtful FF&E selection drives functionality, flexibility and long-term engagement while also touching on sourcing challenges, budget considerations and the importance of programming FF&E early in the design process. The feature is the latest in a series of Multi-Housing News Q&A’s TJ secured with Cook, with past topics including lighting, texture and pattern, the relationship between good design and wellness and the latest multifamily interior trends.

Read Full Article

Commercial real estate is taking off in the O’Hare submarket, and Taylor Johnson clients are fueling the momentum across multiple sectors. When Illinois Real Estate Journal asked us for an update on client doings in the area, we focused on two major projects for Nicholas & Associates and Glenstar. Nicholas & Associates is bringing more ice time to the suburbs with its $34.5 million, two-sheet indoor ice arena opening this August in Rosemont. Glenstar made its mark with the acquisition and recapitalization of Presidents Plaza, a two-tower, 831,422-square-foot office complex located at 8600-8700 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., where the firm signed 100,000 square feet of leases in April alone. Other clients mentioned in the coverage included Bradford Allen, which recently opened the Hyatt Centric Chicago O’Hare hotel in Rosemont, and CRG, the developer of The Cubes at ORD, a small-footprint warehouse near the airport.

Read Full Article

Under GI Stone President Sandya Dandamudi’s leadership, the stone supplier, fabricator and installer has grown in both size and scope, amassing an impressive portfolio of commercial real estate clients, including Related Midwest, Habitat, Onni Group, Sterling Bay and JDL, just to name a few, and working in verticals such as office, multifamily, hospitality and institutional. Not content to rest on her laurels, earlier this year, Dandamudi launched the firm’s luxury residential division, offering its services to private homeowners and their design teams for the first time in GI Stone’s 30-year history. Confident her ambition, demonstrable success and dedication to paying it forward would resonate with the readers of Commercial Construction & Renovation, we pitched a profile of Dandamudi to the media outlet, resulting in a four-page spread that includes a bio and in-depth Q&A. 

Read Full Article (pages 180-183)

With operating costs on the rise, apartment owners and managers are increasingly harnessing new technology — including AI — to create efficiencies, while at the same time staying tuned in to evolving resident preferences. Heartland Real Estate Business recently included insights from several Taylor Johnson clients in a piece exploring how multifamily operators are balancing the use of tech tools with the personal touch renters seek. In the story, Draper and Kramer, Incorporated, noted today’s multifamily residents continue to prioritize service and a strong sense of community even as property managers embrace technology, while both Marquette Management and Habitat shared how tools such as AI and resident-focused apps can not only streamline and personalize communication with residents, but also automate certain tasks to free up site staff for more face-to-face resident interactions.  

Read Full Article

How does a 100-plus-year-old office building remain relevant in today’s landscape? With smart upgrades that highlight its history and meet modern workplace expectations. Taylor Johnson recently shared news of client Friedman Properties’ renovation of the Reid Murdoch Building, a landmark property in Chicago’s River North neighborhood. Chicago Business Journal reported on the improvements, which include a new fitness center with locker rooms, showers and towel service; a 5,388-square-foot spec suite overlooking the river; a tenant lounge with a café, conference rooms, multiple seating areas and a mural by a local artist; and refreshed common areas such as the lobby, corridors, restrooms and elevator cabs. Other outlets that covered the news included Bisnow Chicago, BLDUP, Loop North News, REBusinessOnline and Urbanize Chicago.

Read Full Article

As healthcare delivery continues to shift closer to where patients live, a recent article in Illinois Real Estate Journal took a deep dive into the rising demand for medical office space in Chicago’s suburbs — and Taylor Johnson client HSA PrimeCare was front and center in the conversation. We connected the reporter with PrimeCare President John Wilson, who offered valuable perspective on how aging demographics, rising construction costs and shifting care models are shaping medical office development across the region. Wilson discussed PrimeCare’s strategic focus on suburban Chicago and Northwest Indiana, including the Silver Cross Medical Pavilion D in New Lenox, Ill., completed in 2020, and the planned Beacon Hill Medical Pavilion in Crown Point, Ind. He also addressed evolving design priorities and the growing preference among health systems to lease space for greater financial flexibility.

Read Full Article

When Taylor Johnson client Bradford Allen (BA) recently debuted the 206-room Hyatt Centric Chicago O’Hare – the result of $30 million in renovations to the former Hyatt Rosemont Chicago O’Hare near O’Hare International Airport and Rivers Casino Des Plaines – media were quick to check it out. The Hyatt Centric brand combines the attentive service and personalized design of smaller boutique hotels with the conveniences of larger chains, along with immersive local experiences. BA’s Hyatt Centric Chicago O’Hare offers completely remodeled guest rooms, upgraded common areas and meeting spaces, and Cima Restaurant, a new upscale Mediterranean-inspired restaurant that is becoming a destination in its own right. Hotel Online, Hotel Management, Journal & Topics, Daily Herald, REBusinessOnline and Northern Illinois Real Estate Journal all shared the news. (Fun fact – TJ client GI Stone worked on the hotel renovation.) Since launching its hospitality platform in 2022, BA has acquired seven hotels totaling roughly 900 keys.

Read Full Article

Two of the trending acronyms in commercial real estate right now include SED and AI — sports and entertainment districts, and artificial intelligence. So when the Taylor Johnson team saw Development magazine was planning an issue focused on the former, we pitched a case study that included the latter from TJ client Baker Barrios Architects. Authored by Wayne Dunkelberger, chief design officer for Baker Barrios and enthusiastic proponent of the use of AI and augmented reality (AR) in design, this article takes a look at the challenges associated with creating a SED that draws activity beyond game or concert days and has a positive impact on the surrounding neighborhood. Dunkelberger highlights how Baker Barrios devised solutions with the help of AI when designing Westcourt, a mixed-use SED located adjacent to the Kia Center in Orlando, Fla., that not only provides facilities for games and performances, but also adds space for outdoor activities, restaurants, retail, multifamily and office that strengthens the community.

Read Full Article

The Taylor Johnson events team is hard at work preparing for the 24th Annual Real Estate Gala for client Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate (MBIRE) at Roosevelt University. This signature event, happening Thursday, Oct. 16, at 167 N. Green St. in Chicago, supports one of the nation’s most diverse real estate schools and will honor two visionary leaders: Toni Preckwinkle, president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, who will receive the Civic Leadership Icon Award; and David Doig, president of Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives, who will be recognized with the Leadership in Community Development Award.

Planning an event of your own? Contact Emily Johnson to learn more about Taylor Johnson’s event planning services. 

Visit this link to purchase tickets, and click here to learn about the Gala’s impact through the eyes of a current student.

As today’s multifamily residents increasingly value convenience, affordability and quality of life over flashy extras, practicality has become the new market differentiator. In a recent Multi-Housing News feature exploring this shift, Taylor Johnson clients Draper and Kramer, Incorporated, Habitat and RMK Management Corp. shared expert insights into how their communities are meeting evolving resident needs through tech-integrated, community-driven amenities. From app-based services and coworking lounges to branded bike programs and flexible floor plans, these offerings reflect a broader shift focusing on improved livability, connection and everyday ease.

Read Full Article

There’s no shortage of headlines about the recent lull in high-rise new construction in Chicago, but some developers are making it happen with creative approaches. One example is Taylor Johnson client Straits Row, a new 18-story tower in the South Loop developed by Q Investment Properties and Melrose Ascension Capital (MAC), which opened in the spring. MAC founder Nick Melrose joined The Real Deal Chicago’s “Building Luxury” panel last month to share how the two firms maximized density by incorporating co-living with traditional units, enabling them to bring to market what represents half of the new deliveries in downtown Chicago this year. 

Read Full Article

With record college enrollment outpacing the supply of purpose-built student housing, Ann Arbor — home to the University of Michigan — is seeing a development boom. Taylor Johnson client CRG seized the opportunity early, securing a prime site in the South University corridor for a new student housing high-rise called Chapter Ann Arbor. Construction is slated to begin next month on the 19-story, 625-bed community, with doors opening in time for the 2027-28 academic year. Designed by TJ client Lamar Johnson Collaborative and developed in partnership with Shapack, the building will offer an amenity-rich, boutique hotel-style experience with upscale finishes and amenities. We shared the news with media and earned widespread coverage in MLive, ClickOnDetroit, Crain’s Detroit Business, Crain’s Chicago Business, Multi-Housing News, REjournals, Yield PRO, Connect CRE Chicago & Midwest, CRE MarketBeat and REBusinessOnline. 

Read Full Article

As the residential real estate industry grapples with new rules regulating buyer representation and ongoing debates over clear cooperation policy and private listing networks, Taylor Johnson client Baird & Warner signaled strength and long-term vision in a shifting market with its strategic acquisition of fellow independent brokerage Dream Town Real Estate. Our PR team worked closely with Baird & Warner and Dream Town to break the news of the deal and position the merger as a proactive move to “create a local powerhouse,” starting with an exclusive with Crain’s Chicago Business. Immediately following the exclusive, TJ rolled out a broader outreach campaign that resulted in coverage across a range of priority local publications and national trade outlets, including Real Estate News, The Real Deal Chicago, RISMedia, HousingWire, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Agent Magazine and Homes.com – among others.

Read Full Article

Do you know a high school student who’s beginning to think about future career paths? This summer, Taylor Johnson is offering a free opportunity for students to explore the world of communications and brand building through an interactive PR 101 workshop. Held on Wednesday, July 23, from 10 a.m. — 3 p.m. at our office, the session will give students a first-hand look at key aspects of public relations, including media relations, social media marketing and event planning. Whether your high schooler is already interested in PR or simply curious about what’s out there, this workshop offers a dynamic way to gain insight into a potential career. The event is completely free, and lunch will be provided, but spots are limited, so please make sure to RSVP by Wednesday, July 16. If you know someone who might be interested — whether it’s your own child, a relative, neighbor or friend — please share this opportunity with them. We’d love to have them join us! Contact Madeline Hardy with any questions.

Today’s baby boomers are increasingly choosing to rent, favoring the amenities, flexible lifestyle and low-maintenance peace of mind an apartment offers as compared with traditional homeownership. When Realtor Magazine reporter Barbara Ballinger contacted Taylor Johnson seeking expert insights into this growing trend, our team was happy to offer clients RMK Management Corp. and Optima, Inc., as sources. In the resulting article, RMK discusses the finishes, layouts and community programming boomers seek, while Optima highlights some of the more luxurious amenities that resonate among an older demographic, such as on-site concierge services and retractable glass-walled pools that can be used year-round.

Read Full Article

Office delinquency rates have hit a post-pandemic high, and lenders and borrowers are looking for options in this still-turbulent market. That requires a steady hand of guidance, and we knew Taylor Johnson clients Ginsberg Jacobs and NAI Hiffman | Hiffman National could offer sage advice for readers of The Business Journals. In interviews secured by our team, Hiffman’s John Heiberger and Paul Grusecki outlined how some CRE lenders are exploring alternatives to foreclosures, while Sonny Ginsberg of Ginsberg Jacobs shared how the playbook has changed since the start of the pandemic. The article was also featured in the outlet’s The National Observer: Real Estate newsletter, which features commercial and residential real estate news from across more than 45 cities.

Read Full Article

At the core of every successful business is good people, and Taylor Johnson loves to spread the word when those people grow in their careers. The latest example is Ben Azulay, named president of brokerage services for TJ client Bradford Allen after more than 20 years with the firm. Azulay, who is based in Chicago, is tasked with building the firm’s tenant and landlord representation business for office, retail and industrial assets across the country. We knew this would be a fit for CoStar and shared the news with that publication along with others that cover the industry, including New York Real Estate Journal, Bisnow Chicago, REjournals, Connect CRE Chicago & Midwest and CRE MarketBeat.

Read Full Article

When the editor of BOMA International’s Industrial Newsletter contacted Taylor Johnson for expert commentary on the future of U.S. manufacturing, we knew clients CRG and HSA Commercial Real Estate would be able to speak to fast-changing market conditions. The resulting article featured their insights on modernizing aging facilities, managing rising construction costs, advancing sustainability and supporting automation. HSA’s Robert Smietana addressed the lack of viable options for small to midsize users, while CRG’s Steve Schnur noted higher interest rates have some clients pausing new projects. However, both agreed that long-term fundamentals remain strong amid continued e-commerce expansion, supply chain reconfiguration, and the onshoring and reshoring of manufacturing operations.

Read Full Article

This past month, Kim Manning and Traci Failla of Taylor Johnson joined hundreds of real estate media and industry pros at the National Association of Real Estate Editors Conference (NAREE 2025), hosted this year in New Orleans. The duo attended numerous sessions to hear the latest residential and commercial real estate trends and toured top listings in the Crescent City. But the highlight of NAREE 2025 was participating in the speed-pitching session, during which Team TJ met with more than a dozen reporters, editors and freelancers to share our clients’ stories and insights, forging and furthering our relationships with those at the forefront of real estate news. Click here for a recap on the hottest topics at the conference (yes, AI was covered multiple times) and a who’s who list of real estate outlets that learned more about our clients.

Full Conference Overview

When Taylor Johnson client Marquette Companies opened its new Tempo at White Oak apartments in Houston, we knew the project would strike a chord with local Texas media as well as national press. Tempo is the centerpiece of the emerging White Oak District, named for neighborhood anchor White Oak Music Hall, which inspired the design and amenities of the 304-unit building with a rooftop lounge overlooking the White Oak Music Hall outdoor stage. Inside, a performance stage and recording studio on the lobby level turn the musical amenities to eleven. The opening act to growth in this area, Tempo will soon be followed by commercial space being developed across the street by Marquette. We were delighted to bring the news to a number of outlets including The Leader, Yield PRO, Bisnow, Houston Business Journal, Multifamily & Affordable Housing Business and Realty News Report. 

Read Full Article

As Chicago’s first equitable transit-oriented development (eTOD) on the South Side, the multiphase 43 Green community delivers mixed-income housing and new retail space next to the CTA’s 43rd Street Green Line station in the heart of the historic Bronzeville neighborhood. Developed and managed by Taylor Johnson client Habitat, 43 Green recently fully leased all 80 apartments – 44 of which are designated as affordable – comprising the development’s second phase. TJ worked closely with Habitat to announce the leasing milestone, securing coverage in The Chicago Crusader, Urbanize Chicago, REjournals, Connect CRE Chicago & Midwest, REBusinessOnline and Bisnow Chicago. Construction on 43 Green was led by a joint venture between TJ client McHugh Construction and Bowa Construction.

Read Full Article

Knowing Taylor Johnson client Proper Title has a unique, tech-forward approach to securing both residential and commercial closings, which is increasingly important given the rise in AI-enhanced fraud, Team TJ crafted a timely pitch to Chicago Agent magazine’s new editor, aligning with the publication’s June focus on real estate technology. The result? A feature story highlighting how Proper Title protects clients from wire fraud and identity theft using advanced tools — including Closinglock for ID verification, secure document sharing and wire instruction delivery. The article, which features insights from Allison Roth, director of escrow operations, reached thousands of agents and brokers across the Chicago area.

Read Full Article

According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), Q1 2025 saw the largest percentage of new-construction townhome starts since Q1 2008. Wanting to dive deeper into this stat, Builder magazine’s associate editor, Leah Draffen, reached out to Taylor Johnson for expert sources to discuss the current townhome boom. We connected her with Jeff Benach, principal of TJ client Lexington Homes, who provided insights on why the builder’s recent townhome communities have been so successful — naming appealing price points and maintenance-free living as key drivers for their popularity. Fun fact: the day the story published last week, our TJ team members attending the 2025 National Association of Real Estate Editors (NAREE) conference in New Orleans were able to meet and thank Draffen in person. Stay tuned for more news, trends and photos from NAREE in a forthcoming issue of TJ TALK! 

Read Full Article

Pleasant Prairie in Southeast Wisconsin has experienced a surge in corporate and industrial expansion over the past decade, leading to steady demand for workforce housing. Addressing this need, Taylor Johnson client Bond Companies recently broke ground on Inspire Prairie Springs, a site woven into its natural surroundings with protected views to the adjacent Des Plaines River Conservatory. When the project’s first phase delivers in 2027, it will bring 332 apartments across three garden-style buildings to the fast-growing area equidistant between Chicago and Milwaukee. Residents will have access to a wide range of amenities, including an outdoor pool, fitness facilities, pickleball courts, putting green, dog park, playground, coworking space and more. In addition to managing the groundbreaking event, TJ shared news of the construction milestone with media, securing coverage in Kenosha News as well as BizTimes, Connect CRE Chicago & Midwest, Milwaukee Business Journal, REBusinessOnline, The Daily Reporter and Yield Pro. 

Read Full Article

Having a little fun with generational differences at work isn’t just for social media influencers. It’s also a great way to grab media attention for the topic, which is now hotter than ever with some workplaces adapting to accommodate four different generations. Working with Taylor Johnson client Baker Barrios Architects’ Marilyn Russell, the TJ team brought a pop culture-inspired thought leadership piece on how a multigenerational workforce impacts office design to Work Design magazine. Not only did it delight the editors, but it also racked up more than 1,200 views in less than five days when we shared it on LinkedIn as part of our social media program for Baker Barrios.

Read Full Article

Helping clients earn industry accolades to increase visibility of their stellar staff and outstanding properties among real estate peers is one of the many services offered by Taylor Johnson. Recently, TJ coordinated a winning Illinois Real Estate Journal (IREJ) submission for client RMK Management Corp., in the Property Management Company of the Year – Multifamily category. RMK, which has 31 properties and more than 6,000 units under management in Illinois, was honored for its exceptional resident service and operational excellence at the IREJ Awards ceremony, which was held June 5. Among other IREJ winners that evening was TJ client Hiffman National for Professional Service Company of the Year. Congratulations to all award recipients!

Read Full Article

Taylor Johnson client Marquette Companies has been in business for more than 40 years, and while the Naperville, Ill.-based firm is active in eight states, it is finding more reasons lately to bet on its own backyard. We knew this pro-Midwest development angle would be of interest to national trade publications like Multi-Housing News and secured a bylined article on the topic from Marquette President Trevor Ryan. In the piece, Ryan discusses the region’s strong fundamentals relative to Sun Belt and coastal markets, including diverse economies, prevalent value-add opportunities and limited unit deliveries, a trend that continues to drive rent growth.

Read Full Article

Taylor Johnson client Lamar Johnson Collaborative (LJC) specializes in a wide range of architectural projects, from data centers to adaptive reuse of buildings like 208 S. LaSalle and 24 E. Washington in Chicago’s Loop. For the latter, the firm recently redesigned the top six floors of the landmark building — including the customization of new modern office space for ofi (Olam Food Ingredients). When we learned Jan Parr, a contributor to Crain’s Chicago Business, freelance journalist and author of the Dunes Diva blog, was moderating a “back to office” forum at NeoCon, we suggested including LJC Executive Director Al Fiesel on the four-person panel to discuss how LJC’s design enabled ofi to consolidate several regional offices, including labs and test kitchens, into one 80,000-square-foot space.

Read Full Article

As more companies implement return-to-office plans, many are using the opportunity to rethink their workplace aesthetic. Vintage properties can stand out by blending modern amenities with timeless architectural features that would be difficult or impossible to replicate through new construction. Taylor Johnson recently helped client Friedman Properties place a bylined article in Commercial Property Executive exploring the benefits and best practices of this strategy. The piece focused on recent renovations at the Reid Murdoch Building in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, where Friedman Properties modernized the lobby and common areas in a way that celebrates the property’s rich heritage, built out a spec office suite overlooking the river, and added a new tenant amenity suite with a fitness center and lounge.

Read Full Article

The Clear Cooperation Policy, mandated by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), requires that any publicly marketed real estate listing be submitted to the MLS within one business day to ensure transparency and market access for buyers and sellers. This rule stands in contrast to the rising use of brokerage-specific private listing networks and office exclusives, in which listings are shared only among a limited group of agents. Steve Baird, president and CEO of TJ client Baird & Warner, has always favored Clear Cooperation versus private listing networks, which he argues limit competition, reduce exposure and ultimately disadvantage consumers by prioritizing brokerage interests over the public good. Taylor Johnson offered Baird’s independent perspective on the topic to real estate reporters, leading to coverage in The Real Deal Chicago, RISMedia and Real Estate News. In the resulting stories, Baird also raises ethical concerns regarding exclusivity in listings and how it has historically enabled discriminatory practices and self-dealing.

Read Full Article

With so many technology and entertainment companies calling Los Angeles home, the demand for buildings that cater to this hybrid “techtainment” sector continues to grow. What considerations go into developing an office property that can meet the needs of these boundary-pushing firms? Taylor Johnson client Lendlease recently spoke with GlobeSt. about Habitat, a two-building, mixed-use project under construction next to the Culver City submarket. The resulting story touched on the property’s biophilic features such as folding glass walls that blur the line between inside and out, opening onto outdoor terraces and creating flexible spaces for meetings and social gatherings. Additionally, Habitat’s all-electric design, on-site solar panels, lower-carbon materials and other sustainable features appeal to tenants that prioritize sustainability as part of their site selection process.

Read Full Article

For Taylor Johnson client McHugh Construction‘s successful completion of a $7 million mixed-use parking garage near the Fox River in East Dundee, Ill., Team TJ timed media outreach to coincide with a celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony for the garage. We amplified the story through a press release that showcased McHugh’s design-build expertise, close collaboration with village officials, and delivery of a key civic asset that enhances parking, retail potential and downtown aesthetics. Resulting coverage has appeared in leading commercial real estate publications that reach public officials, developers, brokers and investors — including REBusinessOnline, Connect CRE Chicago & Midwest, REjournals and Northern Illinois Real Estate Journal.

Read Full Article

Taylor Johnson client Related Midwest was recently joined by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, other city officials and project partners to mark the completion of the latest phase of Roosevelt Square, a 67-acre redevelopment of the former ABLA Homes site on Chicago’s Near West Side. The $172 million Phase 3B added 222 mixed-income apartments and 10,000 square feet of ground-floor retail across three mid-rise residential buildings. Developed in partnership with the Chicago Housing Authority, the community will comprise 2,000 residences upon completion, including a mix of market-rate, affordable and public housing units. TJ secured prominent media coverage of the new buildings, including private tours for the Chicago Sun-Times and Block Club Chicago. The event garnered widespread attention, with features airing across all local TV news networks and coverage in Chicago Agent Magazine, Chicago Business Journal, Connect CRE Chicago & Midwest, REBusinessOnline, Urbanize Chicago and CRE MarketBeat.

Read Full Article

Bisnow’s first-ever “Build Your Brand: Marketing for Commercial Real Estate” event was a standout success with Taylor Johnson President Emily Johnson featured as a panelist on “Developing a Proper(ty) Identity.” Representing TJ among industry leaders, Johnson shared what makes a property truly newsworthy, highlighting real client success stories that showcased our unique approach to strategic promotion. Of the many forward-thinking conversations at the event, Bisnow highlighted one in particular: how AI is shaping the future of commercial real estate marketing.

Team TJ also hosted a booth and held a raffle, giving attendees a chance to win a complimentary TJ Talk feature. Congratulations to Amanda Friedlander of Willard Jones Real Estate, our raffle winner! Keep an eye on your inbox for her feature coming soon.

Read Full Article

Taylor Johnson client Glenstar’s bet on Presidents Plaza — a two-tower office complex in Chicago’s O’Hare submarket that the developer and a private investor acquired last fall for $62.1 million — is paying off. Investing $16 million in common area upgrades, move-in-ready spec suites and amenity enhancements, Glenstar already has signed 100,000 square feet of new leases including 40,000 square feet for FM Global; a 20,000-square-foot expansion for Meitheal Pharmaceuticals; and 40,000 square feet for Do it Best. TJ pitched and secured an exclusive on the news with Crain’s Chicago Business, with additional coverage in CoStar, Connect CRE Chicago & Midwest, REBusinessOnline, Bisnow Chicago and REjournals — delivering powerful visibility for Glenstar’s repositioning strategy.

Read Full Article

On the heels of coordinating the ribbon-cutting event for Taylor Johnson client Straits Row, the TJ team got to work publicizing the grand opening of the 18-story rental tower, which represents half of the new-construction Class A inventory delivering in downtown Chicago this year. Coverage in outlets including Connect CRE Chicago & Midwest, CRE MarketBeat, Multifamily Executive, REBusinessOnline and Yield PRO highlighted the building’s amenity-rich spaces and mix of traditional and co-living options while spotlighting the developers behind the project: Singapore-based Q Investment Partners (QIP) and Chicago-based Melrose Ascension Capital.

Read Full Article

Five years after the COVID-19 pandemic forced people to physically distance, today’s multifamily residents are increasingly drawn to amenities that promote in-person interaction, with developers and architects responding accordingly. After hearing about this trend from several clients, Taylor Johnson successfully pitched the story, along with standout Chicago-area communities, to the Chicago Tribune. The resulting article, which ran as a front-page feature in the Sunday Real Estate section, included commentary from TJ clients Optima, Inc., Lendlease and Baker Barrios Architects about the growing popularity of building amenities that respond to lasting shifts in remote work and the demand for social and recreational spaces. Our clients also emphasized that programming and community engagement — from trivia nights to painting instruction and cooking classes — are just as important as the amenities themselves in making communal spaces meaningful to residents.

Read Full Article

Taylor Johnson client Ginsberg Jacobs is known for its expertise in commercial real estate law, but the firm’s expanding litigation practice also represents clients outside of the industry. So when Ginsberg Jacobs Partner Bill Choslovsky successfully petitioned Chicago Public Schools to remove two former administrators at Lincoln Park High School from the district’s “Do Not Hire” list, we got to work filling in local media on the latest development in a dispute spanning nearly five years. Coverage appeared in numerous outlets including ABC Chicago, CBS Chicago, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune and WBEZ.

Read Full Article

As office-to-residential conversions continue to make headlines, the TJ team is often tapped for sources to discuss this specific type of adaptive reuse. When we learned Multi-Housing News was doing a story on this phenomenon, we connected the outlet with Taylor Johnson client Lamar Johnson Collaborative to discuss its redesign of 208 S. LaSalle’s 13th to 16th floors into 226 apartments branded as The LaSalle Residences, 30% of which will be designated as affordable. Part of Chicago’s LaSalle Street Reimagined initiative, the project has the potential to create “a vibrant, mixed-use destination full of energy and activity well beyond traditional working hours,” in the words of LJC Principal Alan Barker. 

Read Full Article

Taylor Johnson’s very own president, Emily Johnson, is hitting the stage at Bisnow’s first-ever “Build Your Brand: Marketing for Commercial Real Estate” event. Don’t miss your chance to hear Johnson speak on the “Developing a Proper(ty) Identity” panel and connect with top industry pros tomorrow morning — Tuesday, June 3 — at the Allegro Royal Sonesta Hotel Chicago Loop. Be on the lookout for Team TJ throughout the event and be sure to stop by our booth to say hello.

As multifamily owners adapt to the trickle-down challenges often associated with a new administration, such as changes to fiscal policies and high capital costs, there’s a growing focus on targeted unit renovations and amenity upgrades within existing communities as opportunities for stronger profits and occupancy. When UNITS Magazine sought experts on how to best tackle this repositioning trend, Taylor Johnson offered client insights from multifamily developer-operator Habitat and commercial interiors firm Mary Cook Associates. In the resulting article, Zack Zalar of Habitat highlighted the value of a phased, cost-effective approach — piloting unit upgrades and planning long-term amenity enhancements, while Mary Cook emphasized tailoring renovations to address the competitive landscape and the specific needs and preferences of target residents, such as remote workers and varying generational groups, as keys to a successful repositioning.

Read Full Article

For more than 125 years, Taylor Johnson client McHugh Construction has prided itself on having the best teams in the business. So of course, when we announced earlier this month that McHugh hired CRE pro Jaime Zwierzynski as director of business development, the industry and media took notice. With more than 12 years of experience in the architecture, engineering and construction (A/E/C) sector, Zwierzynski has managed over $200 million in prospective project opportunities. She will lead efforts to grow McHugh’s client base and project pipeline through targeted relationship-building and strategic insight. Media coverage of her hire has appeared to date in REjournals, Bisnow, Connect CRE Chicago & Midwest, Construction Broadsheet and Construction News and Review.

Read Full Article

When BOMA International reached out to Taylor Johnson seeking insights on how AI will further fuel the nationwide data center boom, we knew client NAI Hiffman would deliver. Nick Schlanger, Hiffman’s director of research services, spoke to a number of factors driving growth as well as challenges ranging from power and labor availability to cost increases and community opposition. The end result is a well-rounded assessment of not only where data centers are but also where they’re going in the near future. 

Read Full Article

Real estate reporters know that Taylor Johnson clients are the go-to experts for what’s happening in the industry. So, when TJ client Interra Realty released Q1 figures on suburban Chicago multifamily sales, the media paid attention. We were able to place stories with The Real Deal and REjournals that delved into the data. Interra’s report found a 65% year-over-year increase in suburban multifamily deals, with the total dollar amount of those transactions rising by 69%. The firm also concluded that investors — a growing number of whom came from out of state —  were willing to pay 18% more on average than one year prior. 

Read Full Article

Founded in 1855, Taylor Johnson client Baird & Warner is the oldest independent family-owned real estate company in Illinois and certainly no stranger to marketing exceptional historic homes. When the brokerage listed the Thompson House, a meticulously restored 137-year-old landmark Romanesque Revival mansion in Chicago’s Gold Coast, for $18.5 million, Baird & Warner tapped the TJ team to pitch the property to media. The effort recently yielded a feature in CS Modern Luxury showcasing the property’s unique blend of historic Gilded Age craftsmanship and contemporary conveniences. “This magnificent residence represents a labor of love,” said Baird & Warner listing agent Millie Rosenbloom in the article. “No expense was spared in the thoughtful restoration, honoring the original architectural style from 1888 while enhancing the floor plan and selecting exquisite finishes for modern living.”

Read Full Article

It was just a week ago that Taylor Johnson orchestrated the grand opening and ribbon-cutting event for TJ client Straits Row — a new rental building in Chicago’s Printers Row neighborhood developed by Singapore-based Q Investment Partners (QIP) in partnership with Chicago-based Melrose Ascension Capital. As one of the only new multifamily developments delivering in downtown Chicago this year, Straits Row represents nearly half of the city’s new Class A apartment inventory. The 18-story tower was unveiled with a celebration that highlighted its amenity-rich spaces and co-living options, which offer residents the ability to lease private bedroom suites within shared units — an ideal setup for students, young professionals and anyone looking to live with roommates. The TJ events team was brought in to help elevate the evening with a curated, dynamic atmosphere featuring an electric violinist, DJ, nitro ice cream station, roaming photo booth and many more on-brand elements.

 If you’re looking for assistance in planning a real estate event of your own, please contact Emily Johnson to learn more about Taylor Johnson’s event planning services. 

Taylor Johnson is excited to welcome back Chicago-based commercial real estate law firm Ginsberg Jacobs LLC as a client, and we’re already hard at work getting results. The firm has a wealth of experience in all manner of business disputes, including distressed real estate sales — so we knew co-founder and Partner Sonny Ginsberg would be a great source when Commercial Property Executive was seeking expert commentary on who’s buying distressed office buildings and the inherent risks that come with those discounted deals. Ginsberg Jacobs is also ramping up its litigation department, headlined by the arrival of veteran attorney Louis Bernstein last fall. Stay tuned for more news from that group soon.

Read Full Article

As inventory of for-sale housing continues to remain low, homebuyers in Chicago’s north suburbs  have been eager to join the interest list for Gateway, the newest townhome community by Taylor Johnson client Lexington Homes. Located near the Northbrook Metra station and just minutes from the popular retail and dining destination The Glen Town Center, Gateway will offer 25 luxury townhomes with high-end finishes and the option for up to four bedrooms and three full baths. Gateway will feature the same popular home designs from Lexington’s recently sold out Metro on Main community in Morton Grove, where two model homes are available for prospective buyers to tour. TJ shared news with the media about Gateway starting sales this summer, securing coverage in Connect CRE Chicago & Midwest, MultifamilyBiz.com and Northern Illinois Real Estate Magazine.

Read Full Article

We always say Taylor Johnson clients are the best in the business, so it’s nice when industry award programs agree with us. Case in point: at the recent 2025 Chicagoland Apartment Marketing & Management Excellence (CAMME) Awards, presented by the Chicagoland Apartment Association, 13 honors went to TJ clients. To help RMK Management celebrate its multiple awards — including wins for Chief Engineer/Maintenance Supervisor and Maintenance Staff from Versailles on the Lakes Schaumburg as well as honorees from Versailles on the Lakes Oakbrook in the Leasing Professional and Maintenance Professional categories — we issued a release resulting in coverage in Northern Illinois Real Estate Magazine,  REjournals and Yield PRO. We also announced for Draper and Kramer, Incorporated, that Laiche R. Gutter from the firm’s The Oaks senior living community in Chicago’s Printers Row received the CAMME for Property Manager/Affordable, with the news running in REjournals. Other TJ clients and their properties receiving 2025 CAMMEs for design, operations and team members were Optima, Inc.’s Optima Verdana and Optima Signature; Lendlease’s The Reed and The Cooper; and Marquette Management’s The Mason, The Ponds of Naperville, HighPoint Community Apartments and Preserve at Cantera.

View The Full List Of 2025 CAMME Winners Here

Taylor Johnson client Bradford Allen is continuing its shopping spree in South Florida after closing this month on One Clearlake, an 18-story office tower in West Palm Beach. It’s the second office acquisition in South Florida for the firm, which plans to invest an additional $10 million into the property. We knew the deal would grab headlines both locally and nationally and were able to secure coverage in numerous publications including Bisnow, REBusinessOnline, Commercial Observer, The Real Deal, Commercial Property Executive, Commercial Real Estate Direct, Connect CRE Florida & Gulf Coast and South Florida Business Journal.

Read Full Article

Despite rising industrial vacancies across the U.S., the Southeast is experiencing active leasing activity, with third-party logistics firms and manufacturers leading demand. For a recent Southeast Real Estate Business story on the state of the industrial sector, we arranged for a market expert from Taylor Johnson client Glenstar Logistics to provide insights. In the resulting cover story, Brian Netzky, managing principal at Glenstar, discussed not only what industrial tenants want out of a facility in the Southeast, but also the type of users drawn to the region. For example, he noted the firm’s Cherokee Commerce Center 85 in Gaffney, S.C., is attracting a wide range of users, from traditional and green manufacturers to tech-focused tenants and logistics firms like 3PLs and retail distributors.

Read Full Article

When Taylor Johnson client Marquette Companies was planning The Sylvan, its new build-to-rent community in The Woodlands, Texas, the developer wanted the project to not only feel like an established neighborhood, but also appeal to a wide range of residents. The result is 300 new homes in a variety of styles surrounded by a mature tree canopy and outdoor amenities that renters crave, like a fitness center and resort-style pool. Today, residents at The Sylvan can rent everything from a one-bedroom apartment to a four-bedroom single-family home with a private yard and garage. The Sylvan recently began pre-leasing, and we shared news of the milestone with local outlets and national real estate media, resulting in coverage in Woodlands Online, REBusinessOnline, Community Impact, CRE MarketBeat, Realty News Report and more.

Read Full Article

For nearly the entirety of its 30-year history, Taylor Johnson client GI Stone has concentrated on providing stone sourcing, fabrication, installation and design services to the commercial real estate industry, building an extensive portfolio of Midwest marquee projects such as Tribune Tower Residences, The Peninsula Hotel, fellow TJ client Related Midwest’s One Bennett Park, and the forthcoming Obama Presidential Center. So, when GI Stone President Sandya Dandamudi told us she was launching a luxury residential design division led by industry veteran Cathy Scratch, we were eager to spread the word that private homeowners and their design teams could now leverage the firm’s expertise. Indeed, our press release announcing GI Stone’s new division resulted in coverage by industry stalwarts such as Kitchen & Bath Design News, Tilers Forums and Stone World Magazine. 

Read Full Article

A recent Wall Street Journal article characterized Chicago’s River North as a struggling office submarket, beset by “zombie” buildings unable to retain tenants. But Taylor Johnson client Friedman Properties, which has driven the neighborhood’s transformation over the past 50 years, disagrees. TJ helped the firm’s chairman and CEO, Albert Friedman, place an op-ed with Crain’s Chicago Business outlining why the neighborhood is not only surviving but thriving. He noted a rise in office leases and inquiries matching pre-pandemic levels, crediting the area’s vibrant mix of dining, nightlife, shopping and entertainment for drawing steady foot traffic and attracting companies looking for a commute-worthy location. Further punctuating this point, Friedman recently spoke with REjournals for a story on how experiential installations — such as “Theater of the Mind,” coming soon to River North — are critical to the health of a neighborhood.

Read Full Article