Harper Square
Chicago, Illinois
Town Builder Studios was hired in 2009 by Harper Square to manage the $3 million rehabilitation of this historic high-rise 600-unit housing cooperative in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood overlooking Lake Michigan. The project was funded through HUD and was anticipated to take two years. Town Builder’s was able to complete the project in a little over 14 months or half of the original schedule and on budget. TBSKB managed this as both a customized yet production project rehabilitating over three units per day. Town Builder’s management responsibilities included scheduling, material ordering and delivery, quality control procedures, all of which overcame many on-site obstacles. The units were occupied (not vacant) and required advanced notice and communications with each member. The building plumbing system and elevators were outdated yet Town Builder’s was able to install 600-kitchens and over 3300-shut-off valves to the satisfaction of each member. The project included day-to-day coordination with the Harper Square engineers, office, Board of Directors, and the mobilization of the installation crews including managing payroll and all human resources.
