An estimated 130,000 employees could be returning to work as Chicago enters Phase 3 of its reopening plan. Taylor Johnson PR can offer a number of local real estate experts for commentary on how office environments – both downtown and in the suburbs – have been transformed to adhere to the latest CDC recommendations and industry-specific guidelines released by the city of Chicago.

Taylor Johnson can also provide B-roll and photos of workspaces that could accompany a (virtual) on-camera interview.

Available experts include:

Vicki Noonan, Managing Principal, Cushman & Wakefield – Chicago

Headquartered in Chicago, Cushman & Wakefield is one of the world’s largest real estate services firms, with 400 offices in 70 countries. Noonan can talk about:

  • Preparing the office –
  • Elevators – While simply getting to the office could be challenging due to concerns over public transit and road capacity, Chicago’s busiest high-rises must also figure out how elevators can safely and efficiently transport workers up to their floor.
  • Protocols that worked in CW’s Asia markets, which are ahead of the U.S.
  • A recent CW global survey that found that 73% of 40,000 employees surveyed across multiple industry would like flexible work options going forward.

For interviews, contact: Patty Cronin, 773-440-3001

Michael Flynn, Principal, NAI Hiffman – Oak Brook, Ill.

NAI Hiffman is the Midwest’s largest independent real estate services firm. Flynn can speak to:

  • Suburban offices – cheaper, more spacious and with outdoor space, will they be preferred over denser downtown office districts?
    • B-roll available of suburban office properties
  • How companies like Hiffman are helping to prepare offices to return to work, advising on everything from how to set up reception areas and waiting rooms to how to develop new maintenance rules.

For interviews, contact: Patty Cronin, 773-440-3001

Bob Wislow, Developer, Fulton East – Fulton Market  

Seasoned developer Bob Wislow is building a state-of-the-art office building, Fulton East, in the Fulton Market District. He can speak to:

  • The appeal of boutique office buildings, which have fewer people in them and allow occupants to take the stairs if elevators are busy
  • Air and surface sanitization, hands-free elevator technology and other health and wellness features that have become key selling points

For interviews, contact: Rebecca Boykin, 312-267-4523

Sudesh Saraf, Vice President, Director of MEP Engineering, Wight & Company – Chicago

Headquartered in Chicago, Wight & Company is a leader in architecture, engineering and construction. Saraf can discuss:

  • Changes being made to the company’s offices in Darien, Ill., to address indoor air quality and filtration with the addition of a system that uses bi-polar ionization to help purify the air
  • How indoor air quality is getting even more attention as office workers, property managers and building owners consider the return to the shared indoor environment of the office

For interviews, contact: Traci Failla, 773-919-4928