Contractor taps ultra-high-end experience to build neighborhood’s record-setting-priced $8 million penthouses.
Chicago-based McHugh Construction announced it has started vertical construction on Embry, a new 16-story tower from Sulo Development that will bring 58 luxury condo residences to Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood. Construction is on track for completion by fall 2023.
Located at 21 N. May St., the 201-foot-tall building will offer duplexes; two-, three- and four-bedroom units; and two penthouses, all ranging from 1,828 to 5,187 square feet, with column-free layouts, dens and full-size laundry rooms. The two top-floor condos will offer expansive terraces with private outdoor swimming pools.
“As Embry begins to rise in the West Loop, we are especially proud to be putting our mark on the neighborhood with a building that will stand out for its notable architecture,” said Jason Balamut, project manager for McHugh Construction. “This is our client’s first project using poured-in-place concrete instead of precast or steel, so our team’s technical expertise in concrete construction has allowed us to make it a smooth experience for ownership as we guided them through the different procedures and scheduling intricacies required with this type of build. Ownership has a fresh take on the development and construction process, and their ability to respond quickly to questions is proving to be very important to Embry’s successful execution.”
Designed by architect Lamar Johnson Collaborative, with residences and interiors by Kara Mann Design, the Art Deco-inspired building will feature floor-to-ceiling windows, recessed private balconies, dark metal spandrel paneling, and a bronzed aluminum exterior that will change hues as the sun moves across the sky. Lower-level units engage the tree-lined street while upper-level units have expansive terraces with east views of the city skyline. The property also includes 7,000 square feet of amenity space featuring indoor and outdoor fitness areas, a resident lounge and chef’s kitchen, landscaped terrace, a spa and dog run. The building’s private garage will provide 78 parking spaces.
Balamut noted that with supply chain issues a persistent factor for most construction projects, McHugh has been proactive about potential project material delays for Embry and has implemented solutions such as releasing items purchased by McHugh and its subcontractors well in advance.
“Having built over 1,000 luxury condos in the Chicago area, our project team is extremely well-versed in the intricacies of procuring the high-end finishes typical of this caliber of building,” he said. “That process has become even more complex due to ongoing supply chain challenges, making it crucial to anticipate and plan for potential issues.”
Shortly after breaking ground on the project in late 2021, McHugh demolished the site’s single-story masonry building and completed excavation. With the tower crane installed this summer, McHugh Concrete began pouring the elevator shaft, columns and decks, and had completed the second floor as of early September. GI Stone, the development’s stone subcontractor, has procured stone from Italy, Turkey, Brazil and Spain in the three Kara Mann Design curated color palettes condo buyers can choose from. Installation of the windows and façade elements is expected to begin this fall and topping out of the structure is slated for January 2023.
For more information about Embry, visit www.embrywestloop.com.
About McHugh Construction:
Specializing in multi-family residential, hotel and hospitality, and recreational facilities, McHugh Construction is a fourth-generation, privately-owned company and one of the largest full-service construction firms in the United States. McHugh provides a platform for collaboration, transparency, and efficiency. Within that seamless approach, the firm offers a full range of core competencies and capabilities including general contracting, construction management, design-build, preconstruction services, program management, concrete construction and structural engineering services on behalf of every client on every project. McHugh’s unwavering commitment to its clients, its ability to deliver exceptional results on time and within budget, and its dedication to growing and developing its partnerships with subcontractors is the reputation the firm has built are the reason behind its 80% repeat business. McHugh has transformed some of the most luxurious five-star hotels, including the Peninsula, Ritz-Carlton Chicago and Four Seasons; constructed record-setting high-rise buildings with NEMA Chicago, St. Regis Chicago and Aqua Tower; built recreational facilities at United Center and Indoor Track & Field Facility at Gately Park; and led the transformation of Navy Pier through its Centennial Vision renovation program. McHugh has also completed several projects around the country in locations including Nashville, St. Louis, Minneapolis, and South Florida. For more information on the company, visit www.mchughconstruction.com.
