Guiding a Cohesive Public Experience Refresh for a Former Civic Landmark Through Place Activation Strategy and Organizational Policies
The client has a history of repurposing old buildings as workplaces with publicly accessible street-level areas. In 2023, they began redeveloping a former civic building in Chicago. The landmark is being transformed into a mixed-use office, commercial,and transit hub with expanded retail and public space for residents, workers, and visitors. The real estate team sought a strategic vision and operating model for this revitalized public experience that responded to local context.
Note: This case study uses illustrative visuals and figures to convey project scope and scale where information is not available publicly. Actual details are confidential.
Client
Fortune 10 technology company
urban design advisory, downtown revitalization, corporate real estate, civic legacy, adaptive reuse, commercial activation, placemaking, workshop design, stakeholder engagement, adaptive reuse
Over two years, I aligned cross-functional stakeholders around a people-first place strategy and operations policies.
I synthesized insights into an easily digestible guidance document to unify operations teams across community programs, partnerships, public art program, and commercial activation.
150,000+
SF of publicly accessible space
150,000+
SF of publicly accessible space
150,000+
SF of publicly accessible space
9,000+
Average Daily Entries at Onsite Transit Station
9,000+
Average Daily Entries at Onsite Transit Station
9,000+
Average Daily Entries at Onsite Transit Station
4
In Person and Virtual Client Workshops
4
In Person and Virtual Client Workshops
4
In Person and Virtual Client Workshops
Local Context Analysis
A people-centered approach to foundational site analysis to daylight amenity gaps, civic expectations and opportunities by analyzing:
- Plaza Quality, Building Facade, Edge Zones, Street Character, and Wider Site Conditions Assessment
- Neighborhood Amenity and Demographic Analysis
- Local Sentiment and Potential Partnerships
- Design & Activation Opportunities
Local Context Analysis
A people-centered approach to foundational site analysis to daylight amenity gaps, civic expectations and opportunities by analyzing:
- Plaza Quality, Building Facade, Edge Zones, Street Character, and Wider Site Conditions Assessment
- Neighborhood Amenity and Demographic Analysis
- Local Sentiment and Potential Partnerships
- Design & Activation Opportunities
Local Context Analysis
A people-centered approach to foundational site analysis to daylight amenity gaps, civic expectations and opportunities by analyzing:
- Plaza Quality, Building Facade, Edge Zones, Street Character, and Wider Site Conditions Assessment
- Neighborhood Amenity and Demographic Analysis
- Local Sentiment and Potential Partnerships
- Design & Activation Opportunities
Consensus-Building Around a Shared Vision
I facilitated executive and stakeholder workshops to create and present:
- User Journeys
- Vision Statement
- Place Activation Strategy and Goals
- Metrics
Consensus-Building Around a Shared Vision
I facilitated executive and stakeholder workshops to create and present:
- User Journeys
- Vision Statement
- Place Activation Strategy and Goals
- Metrics
Consensus-Building Around a Shared Vision
I facilitated executive and stakeholder workshops to create and present:
- User Journeys
- Vision Statement
- Place Activation Strategy and Goals
- Metrics
Place Activation Strategy and Operational Policies Synthesis
I engaged cross-functional teams to develop brand aligned guidance around -
- Public Programs & Partnerships
- Public Art Program
- Advertising
- Retail Strategy
- Building Tenant Amenities
Place Activation Strategy and Operational Policies Synthesis
I engaged cross-functional teams to develop brand aligned guidance around -
- Public Programs & Partnerships
- Public Art Program
- Advertising
- Retail Strategy
- Building Tenant Amenities
Place Activation Strategy and Operational Policies Synthesis
I engaged cross-functional teams to develop brand aligned guidance around -
- Public Programs & Partnerships
- Public Art Program
- Advertising
- Retail Strategy
- Building Tenant Amenities
My role also focused on balancing operations priorities and financial constraints with community impact. I brought local lived experience into dialogue with senior leadership perspectives on market conditions and asset performance.
cross-functional leadership across real estate (retail strategy, public art, asset management, design & development, marketing & communications), corporate (security, legal, risk), and government affairs
