The Opus Group and JLL announced the completion of a new corporate headquarters for the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in Itasca. The 183,000-square-foot building is the new home for the company’s 455 employees and serves as a national hub for the organization’s 66,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical sub-specialists and pediatric surgical specialists..
“We’re thrilled to have been a part of the collaborative design and construction effort to make this project come to life,” said Nick Melaszus, project manager, Opus Design Build, L.L.C. “The completion of this building is an exciting milestone for the organization and will allow them to continue to grow well into the future.”
In 2014, AAP sought out commercial real estate firm JLL to craft a strategic real estate plan. Led by executive vice presidents Eric Kunkel and Scott Ohlander, the site team toured several downtown and suburban sites and ultimately decided that a build-to-suit was the best choice for AAP’s unique needs.
The new headquarters is located in the Hamilton Lakes Business Park conveniently near O’Hare International Airport, allowing ease of access for members and event attendees traveling to the location from all across the country. The structure was completed in October 2017 and AAP was fully operational in the space in early December.
“With so many organizations evaluating their need to replace or redevelop their offices and headquarters, there is a lot of opportunity to help them along the way,” said Eric Kunkel, executive vice president, JLL. “Hamilton Lakes Business Park offered proximity to AAP’s valued employee base and future expandability. As one of the largest build-to-suits in the suburbs, AAP’s new headquarters is a shining example of world-class design in a modern workplace environment.”
The five-story building, just down the road from the organization’s former home, boasts a modern design with functional spaces to fit all of AAP’s needs. The number of meeting rooms increased from 23 to 81 and multiple large spaces and a full catering kitchen will allow AAP to host conferences and in-house events. Flexible workspaces for employees, including convertible standing desks and wireless networks throughout, accommodates the organization’s current workforce and will allow for future expansion.
The building’s facade features 10-foot-high, floor-to-ceiling windows and unique multi-colored glass fins, which transition in color from blue to green to yellow to clear. The distinctive feature provides an aesthetic element and also preventsolar heat gain. A large open atrium area also welcomes guests and employees to the space. The building’s design also incorporates other sustainable elements throughout, including high performing and high efficiency HVAC units, high performing glass and LED lighting. The site also features bioswales and water filtration areas, electric car charging stations and permeable pavers.
Using its unique design-build approach known as Opus DB3™, Opus has worked on 57 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. Opus Design Build, L.L.C. was the design-builder for this project, Stantec was the architect of record and JLL was the Owner’s Representative from initial site search to completion of construction. Opus Development Company, L.L.C. provided development support services.