Wright Heerema Architects, the Chicago-based architectural and interior design firm, recently completed work on a new office suite in Chicago’s historic Old Post Office for the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), the regional organization responsible for seven Northeastern Illinois counties’ plans. The 37,400-square-foot fourth floor suite at 433 W. Van Buren Street incorporates modern office elements while blending with the historic features of the space, providing the agency with a more open and collaborative workspace.
Moving from its previous headquarters in Willis Tower, CMAP leaders needed less overall square footage, so long as the new space offered a large front-of-house meeting area for public-facing meetings. As a government entity, CMAP’s relocation plan for its nearly 100 employees also needed to demonstrate a commitment to both quality and fiscal responsibility.
To fulfill this vision, CMAP partnered with Wright Heerema to identify and build out the most promising new site. The landmark Old Post Office proved best-positioned to deliver on all CMAP’s goals – trimming its footprint by more than 20,000 square feet, while still enhancing high-quality, collaborative space. Working collaboratively, Wright Heerema created a design honoring the agency’s commitment to reuse, preservation and community, while supporting its forward-looking stance with updated features and unique amenities, such as a café space, modernized lobby and common space, and public-facing conference rooms in the former postmaster’s suite. When additional flex space is needed, CMAP can take advantage of other facilities in the Old Post Office.
Wright Heerema and CMAP partnered with owner / developer 601W, owner’s representative Telos Group, general contractor Power Construction and tenant representative Cresa.
