Chicago’s West Loop is in the midst of a development “Arms Race” where tower cranes out number gourmet coffee shops and dog walkers two to one. Just south of the Eisenhower Expressway, The University of Illinois at Chicago is drawing contractor’s attention with the beautiful Student Housing and Academic Center. The 550-bed dormitory and adjacent academic hall aims to serve millennial needs of future students who can attend lectures and classes without the burden of crossing the street.
A Ground-breaking ceremony took place in January of 2018 at the corner of Harrison and Morgan. University officials were joined by developer American Campus Communities, who brought private funds together to help green-light the 100-million-dollar project.
Since, the city plot has been constant site of progress led by Pepper Construction Group Superintendent Scott Smith. A unique feature, the complex’s Academic hall stems out from the main building and could not be serviced by Pepper’s tower crane.
La Grange Crane’s Mario Arce, Project Manager, partnered with Area Erectors to tackle the Structural Steel on the west wing that will house a lecture hall, cafeteria, and social space on two levels. Area Erectors’ Superintendent, John Rosa, expressed a need to optimize mobile crane location, without sacrificing crane capacity, but limited by the steel’s installation sequence in three phases. The proposal and contract were approved by La Grange Crane President, Judi Mooncotch Jr.
La Grange Crane’s site plan is a prime example of what a vendor and subcontractor can accomplish when the challenges of a major project are addressed ahead of schedule, in detail, to exceed the expectations of the general contractor.
The three crane mobilizations were successfully completed with 300, 550, and 115 Ton La Grange Cranes over the course of a two-month period. Most recently, the roof’s steel curtain wall, making way for HVAC contractor, Hill Mechanical, in the coming weeks. The most notable crane pick, a 18,000 lb second story center beam set at a 150′ radius captured by La Grange’s Project Spotlight video.
Planned completion for the 83,000 square foot facility is July 2019, right on time to welcome a fresh graduating class of 2023 university students. La Grange Crane President, Judi Mooncootch Jr., has overseen the evolution of UIC’s campus from commuter college, to destination. Construction of the first dorms began in 1988 and the last was completed in 2007. La Grange Crane is proud to have had a hand in the construction of all.
The University expects the new facility to spike enrollment by 15% by enticing students with modern amenities and a central location to Chicago’s fastest growing neighborhood culture.
UIC’s newest Student Housing center is footsteps away from the CTA’s Blue Line, minutes away from authentically pressed Colombian Coffee Beans, and just blocks from the west loop’s next ground-breaking ceremony.
Where do we sign up?