Even a historic landmark has to keep pace with ever-elevated expectations in Chicago’s high-end commercial real estate arena. This mesmerizing office park has achieved that success with a recent renovation that kept alive its unmistakable hometown branding while the entire 14.1 acres still sets the standard in a hyper-competitive market. Just as impressive are the sustainable strategies implemented to enhance the property and attain the exclusive designation of Gold Certified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
Challenges
Many of this property’s challenges arise from the highest level of expectations as the client seeks to impress tenants and visitors at every turn. Heavy traffic (foot and vehicle) complicates these concerns. The recent property upgrade modernized the facilities, which also ushered in more complex environmental challenges indoors and outdoors.
These appealing enhancements did not erase the challenge of maintaining a specific Windy City aesthetic, though. And being so close to O’Hare Airport, wind conditions present climate problems that even seasoned landscape providers might not predict. The same is true for the enormous reflective glass that covers the towering buildings.
Striking the perfect balance between native plants and adding vibrance with seasonal blooms is no easy chore, either. There are over 35,000 square feet of planting beds on the property. Add to that the pressure of past accolades like the property’s 2018 National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) Silver Award.
Results
Yellowstone Landscape was awarded this contract in 2022. See below how we’re meeting the admirable challenges presented by this iconic property.
- All flower and plant selections are informed by visual impact and water usage.
- Special attention is paid to arrival areas for impactful first impressions and fresh impressions seasonally.
- Native and drought-resistant plants have reduced maintenance needs and costs.
- Plant selection also considers wildlife in the natural areas that can damage certain landscape elements.
- Crew members monitor for evidence of deer or wildlife damage, replacing plants quickly.
- Our company’s experience in the high-end Chicago real estate market prepared us for first-rate expectations.
- Clear communication with clients is our core mission, enabling us to tailor a weed management plan that adheres to strict LEED standards.
- Meeting the same standards for pest control is made possible through our proven integrated pest management program.
- We adjust installation and maintenance timing based on our experience with the heat island effect (exacerbated by glass-covered skyscrapers) in many other urban centers.
- Our designers used new research to achieve a biophilic atmosphere in newly created outdoor workspaces.
- Ornamental grasses further LEED goals while adding the perfect contrast to steel and glass architecture.
- Certain areas are not connected to irrigation, so we supply those water needs by hand-watering and trucking water in (a must with winds drying out soil).
- Soil quality checks are done before each planting cycle (we have even replaced six inches of topsoil to ensure new plants thrive).
Property Reviews
2022 TOBY International winner for Renovated Building
2018 NALP Silver Winner
LEED Gold Certified
The Pursuit Of Excellence
Not all property owners could pull off the kind of success that’s happened at this renowned Chicago facility. The client has remained true to a noble hometown identity, added modernizations, and gone all in on sustainability initiatives. The outstanding results are obvious. And the property’s future is as bright as the glistening sunlight reflecting off the buildings onto wildflowers and shade trees.
Yellowstone Landscape plans to be part of this promising future for many years to come. In fact, this client’s high standards and commitment to rank in the top one percent of organizations like LEED and NALP benefit us in unexpected ways. While we have the highest standards in the green industry, extra environmental restrictions on landscaping services help propel us further, using all our creative resources to meet unique client needs.
As environmental issues mount across the country, the ability to adapt and overcome landscaping challenges is a highly valuable skill. Sharpening this skill helps us stay atop our industry with the same forward-thinking that’s keeping this property on top of Chicago’s commercial real estate world.
Whether your property aims to meet high environmental standards or has pitfalls that seem like too much for any landscaping provider to overcome, don’t lose any more sleep over it. Contact Yellowstone Landscape for a consultation.
