Chicago’s Fulton Market District, where major corporate headquarters rub shoulders with high-end restaurants, breweries and bodegas, has been white-hot in recent years. Sitting just west of Downtown and formerly home to cold-storage warehouses which supplied the Chicago hospitality and institutional food services industries, the area has transformed in recent years into a culinary creative hothouse and go-to hub of tech services. Our clients’ home atop the recently completed Hayden enjoys wide-open views of Downtown, south and north sides of the city. Our design intent was of course to preserve the views (our only concession a magnificent Tuuci umbrella), while creating a fully functioning living and entertaining space for our youthful clients. Plantings of many types grace and soften the terrace, providing seasonal and year-round interest. Dining and drinking naturally revolve around the custom bar/grill buildout we installed. Wet bar, fridge and Kalamazoo grill are ready at a moment’s notice when the owners decide a last-minute cocktail party on a summer’s evening might be fun (even if it’s a “school night).” After-dinner lounging takes place on the sectionals surrounding an over-sized, custom fire feature. An early breakfast or midday lunch takes place under the umbrella (with heating elements to take off any chill), and at night the Fulton Market District and Downtown Chicago come alive with light.

Chicago’s Fulton Market District, where major corporate headquarters rub shoulders with high-end restaurants, breweries and bodegas, has been white-hot in recent years. Sitting just west of Downtown and formerly home to cold-storage warehouses which supplied the Chicago hospitality and institutional food services industries, the area has transformed in recent years into a culinary creative hothouse and go-to hub of tech services. Our clients’ home atop the recently completed Hayden enjoys wide-open views of Downtown, south and north sides of the city. Our design intent was of course to preserve the views (our only concession a magnificent Tuuci umbrella), while creating a fully functioning living and entertaining space for our youthful clients. Plantings of many types grace and soften the terrace, providing seasonal and year-round interest. Dining and drinking naturally revolve around the custom bar/grill buildout we installed. Wet bar, fridge and Kalamazoo grill are ready at a moment’s notice when the owners decide a last-minute cocktail party on a summer’s evening might be fun (even if it’s a “school night).” After-dinner lounging takes place on the sectionals surrounding an over-sized, custom fire feature. An early breakfast or midday lunch takes place under the umbrella (with heating elements to take off any chill), and at night the Fulton Market District and Downtown Chicago come alive with light.

This project won in the 2013 Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh Housing Excellence Award for Best Urban Renewal Renovation Project. The glass bowl was made in the glass studio owned by the owner which is adjacent to the residence. The mirror is a repurposed window. The door is repurposed from a boarding house. George Mendel

Marcel Page Photography
Inspiration for a small contemporary open concept light wood floor living room remodel in Chicago with orange walls and no fireplace

Iglu Daybed features removable top, turns 360 degrees, covered in Sunbrella fabric on cushions. Fabric choices are available as well as C.O.M.

Inspiration for a country brick floor mudroom remodel in Chicago with white walls

Bedroom
Inspiration for a timeless bedroom remodel in Chicago

Bathroom
Bathroom - traditional bathroom idea in Chicago

Bedroom
Example of a classic bedroom design in Chicago

Exterior
Elegant exterior home photo in Chicago

Family Room
Family room - traditional family room idea in Chicago

Family Room
Example of a classic family room design in Chicago

Family Room
Elegant family room photo in Chicago

©Nathan Kirkman Photography Middlefork Development, LLC www.middleforkcapital.com
Large traditional three-story brick exterior home idea in Chicago

Arched brick ceiling with a custom made light fixture. The owners found the parts for this light fixture over the island and had a local artist create this one of a kind fixture. The table with the seating is made from an old bowling alley lane. The pin placement marks can still be seen on the table top. The table is free standing so it can be moved off the island if desired. A reclaimed scupper box is the transition piece from the range hood to the duct work with red accent paint. Peter Nilson Photography

Request Free Quote This freeform swimming pool in Wheeling, IL holds 33,000 gallons. The raised hot tub is 7'0" round, and has a spillover water feature into the swimming pool. The coping for the pool and spa is poured-in-place concrete. The water feature and slide complete the recreational residential compact water park for this family.

When we began the brainstorming process for this project, we wanted everyone's input - down to this family's 12-year-old son. We all fell in love with his sketch of a soccer field, and the rest is history. He didn't stop there, though. This enclosed seating area for Dad - quite possibly the best feature of the space - was his idea too!

The views to Chicago’s iconic city skyline are unmatched from our clients’ 4th floor Lincoln Park rooftop. Highlighting this outstanding feature was first and foremost in our design approach, so that unobstructed views could be enjoyed in all directions. We began by creating several functional spaces that flow together as a whole. By introducing multiple levels of ipe decking, porcelain pavers, and synthetic turf we were able to break up the space visually and programmatically. The lower landing features an intimate Holly Hunt table paired with Janus et Cie chairs perfect for enjoying the fresh morning air over coffee. On the same level, the adjacent bar allows for cocktail hour entertainment while enjoying the company of guests and the views to the city’s north. One level up, a synthetic turf walkway inlaid with porcelain steppers is flanked by custom aluminum and ipe containers planted with exuberant native plantings and seasonal arrangements. The walkway leads to a viewing station at the parapet wall, where views of the downtown Chicago skyline are magnificent. Lastly, another step up brings one to the casual lounge area replete with furnishings of all-weather plush seating by Gloster, where views are maintained while sitting down. An oversized custom fire table and heated Tuuci umbrella combat the evening chill while friends enjoy the skyline as it comes alive in the evening hours. Programable landscape lighting illuminating the transitional spaces and lush plantings provides the client full control through their home automation system. The hidden speakers within the landscape resonates music throughout the space to keep the sounds of the city at bay. This transformed space has provided the client with a true urban retreat that is fit for quiet family gatherings or energetic events, where all parties can fully enjoy the beautiful city skyline.

The views to Chicago’s iconic city skyline are unmatched from our clients’ 4th floor Lincoln Park rooftop. Highlighting this outstanding feature was first and foremost in our design approach, so that unobstructed views could be enjoyed in all directions. We began by creating several functional spaces that flow together as a whole. By introducing multiple levels of ipe decking, porcelain pavers, and synthetic turf we were able to break up the space visually and programmatically. The lower landing features an intimate Holly Hunt table paired with Janus et Cie chairs perfect for enjoying the fresh morning air over coffee. On the same level, the adjacent bar allows for cocktail hour entertainment while enjoying the company of guests and the views to the city’s north. One level up, a synthetic turf walkway inlaid with porcelain steppers is flanked by custom aluminum and ipe containers planted with exuberant native plantings and seasonal arrangements. The walkway leads to a viewing station at the parapet wall, where views of the downtown Chicago skyline are magnificent. Lastly, another step up brings one to the casual lounge area replete with furnishings of all-weather plush seating by Gloster, where views are maintained while sitting down. An oversized custom fire table and heated Tuuci umbrella combat the evening chill while friends enjoy the skyline as it comes alive in the evening hours. Programable landscape lighting illuminating the transitional spaces and lush plantings provides the client full control through their home automation system. The hidden speakers within the landscape resonates music throughout the space to keep the sounds of the city at bay. This transformed space has provided the client with a true urban retreat that is fit for quiet family gatherings or energetic events, where all parties can fully enjoy the beautiful city skyline.