CHICAGO – The Opus Group (Opus) announced today the execution of a design-build contract with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to deliver a 183,000-square-foot office building for the company in Itasca, Illinois. AAP, a professional membership organization of 64,000 pediatricians, and their broker and consultant JLL worked with Opus on vetting several sites before purchasing an 11.15 acre property in the Hamilton Lakes Business Park that will be home to the organization’s new national headquarters.
“We were happy to assist AAP and JLL in the site selection process for AAP’s new world class headquarters,” said Bryan Farquhar, senior manager, real estate development, Opus Development Company, L.L.C. “Many important factors go into site selection and we’re confident that the location they ultimately selected will provide for an easy transition and will serve the company well into the future.”
The five-story building will feature 10-foot floor-to-ceiling windows with colored vertical exterior fins to reduce solar heat gain, and a two-story dual entrance lobby serving as the main entrance and a central hub for AAP’s conference center and visitor activity. With workspaces tailored for each of the numerous departments within the organization, the office will have areas for educational training, video recording of practice procedures and demonstrations, conferences, outdoor meetings and historical archival storage and display with documents dating back decades to show the legacy of pediatrics throughout the eras.
“AAP has truly embraced Opus’ design-build process, devoting many resources to engage with the building development team on all levels to ensure their vision and goals for the building and site are fulfilled,” said Jim Caesar, regional vice president, Opus Design Build, L.L.C. “We’re excited to begin construction and create a space that expresses their core values, incorporates sustainability and fits the needs of their growing workforce as the organization expands.”
Vertical construction is scheduled to start in July 2016 with project completion slated for fall 2017. Upon completion, the new headquarters will house approximately 480 employees with room for future growth.
“The AAP’s child health mission is unique and our new headquarters will serve multiple functions as a home for the profession of pediatrics and our staff,” said Dr. Karen Remley, executive director and chief executive officer, AAP. “We are pleased to be working closely with The Opus Group. The Opus team listens to our needs and vision for the building and works hand in hand with us to translate those ideas into a new home for our organization.”
Opus Design Build, L.L.C. will be the design builder and VOA Associates Incorporated (now a part of Stantec) will be the architect of record. Opus Development Company, L.L.C. provided development support services and Eric Kunkel and Scott Ohlander of JLL represented AAP in the transaction.
Using its unique DB3 design-build approach, Opus has worked on more than 60 Client Direct Services construction projects for clients throughout the country in the past 24 months including remodels, tenant improvements and new construction projects across sectors.
About The Opus Group
The Opus Group® is a family of commercial real estate development, construction and design companies headquartered in Minneapolis with offices and projects across the country. Opus operates as an integrated, multidisciplinary team with expertise in development, capital markets and finance; project management and construction; architecture, engineering and interior design. The Opus Group includes Opus Holding, L.L.C. and its operating subsidiaries: Opus Development Company, L.L.C., Opus Design Build, L.L.C. and Opus AE Group, L.L.C. Specializing in healthcare, residential, office, institutional, industrial and retail projects, The Opus Group has broad capabilities, deep experience and a proven design-build model that delivers solutions for customers on time and on budget. For more information, visit www.opus-group.com and follow @TheOpusGroup on Twitter.