HardHatChat

JUNE 11, 2013

The tone of the attendees at ICSC’s “Global Retail Real Estate Convention” (RECon) in Las Vegas last month was as positive and energizing as it was in the commercial construction boom years before 2008. Retailers are starting to feel more confident and expansions are on the horizon. Business is good. Overall, confidence is high.

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ICSC Commercial Las Vegas Retail 233

HardHatChat

NOVEMBER 19, 2012

Michigan Avenue in Chicago is seeing a mix of high-end retailers and value retailers, a trend that will continue in 2013 in markets across the country. This mix benefits retailers such as American Girl, which Englewood built out in 2009 at Water Tower Place, as more foot traffic passes through the area.

Commercial 289

Commercial Retail Chicago Construction 289

HardHatChat

OCTOBER 10, 2013

It’s taken some time, but shopping mall commercial construction activity is back in a big way, as owners and operators have initiated only what can be described as a renovation renaissance. Almost everywhere we look, it seems an older, out-dated shopping mall is undergoing a substantial commercial construction renovation.

Retail 222

Retail Renovating Chicago Construction 222

HardHatChat

MAY 4, 2010

At the end of 2009, I wrote a blog post called “Commercial Construction Trends to Watch in 2010.” With four months under our belt, I think the time is right to revisit one of the trends I mentioned called “Back on Track” and its relevance to the retail construction industry. Think I’ll give myself a “B” on that one.

Retail 159

Retail Commercial Construction Remodeling 159

HardHatChat

FEBRUARY 13, 2014

In the depths of a historically cold Midwestern winter, one market has remained particularly hot for Chicago commercial general contractors—grocery store construction. Parking is important with almost any retail construction project, but with grocery, it is even more important. Parking is a premium. Bill Di Santo.

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Retail Chicago Construction Commercial 254

HardHatChat

DECEMBER 20, 2017

As we close in on the final days of 2017, it’s time once again for our annual commercial construction blog post reflecting back on the positives – and the negatives – that have impacted our business and the industry as a whole over the last 12 months. You can reach me at bill.disanto@englewoodconstruction.com. Bill Di Santo.

Commercial 240

Commercial Construction Retail New York 240

HardHatChat

OCTOBER 21, 2011

Most of the commercial construction news we discuss in this blog involves new Chicago retail and restaurant construction projects or analyzing commercial construction trends. You can reach me at bill.disanto@englewoodconstruction.com. But every once in a while we have something special to share.

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Commercial San Antonio Retail Construction 221

HardHatChat

NOVEMBER 30, 2010

Fast-casual restaurants like Noodles & Company should be a bright spot for commercial construction in 2011. It’s that time of year again, when I dust off the crystal ball to predict commercial construction trends for the following year. Around Labor Day 2008, the faucet shut off for commercial construction projects.

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Commercial Retail Construction Renovating 261

HardHatChat

JANUARY 19, 2015

With new hotel construction on the rise, Englewood is reconnecting with clients such as Value Place for projects in 2015. While it was a good year for commercial general construction, it was by no means a record setting year. Retailer reinvention is good for commercial general contractors. Rekindling relationships.

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Commercial Retail Construction News 120

HardHatChat

SEPTEMBER 16, 2014

We don’t like to get hung up on milestones too much at Englewood Construction, but I think we would be remiss if we did not take a little time to reflect on the firm’s 10-year anniversary and the current state of our national commercial construction company, as well as acknowledge all of the people and hard work that got us to where we are today.

Commercial 256

Commercial Construction Chicago Retail 256

HardHatChat

DECEMBER 16, 2013

For savvy commercial real estate investors and venture funds, terrific opportunities exist today to purchase and reposition underperforming shopping malls. Consumers kept money in their pockets, retailers stopped expanding and owners ceased new retail construction for their facilities. 4) Solid retail connections.

Retail 204

Retail Management Commercial Construction 204

HardHatChat

DECEMBER 22, 2011

As 2011 comes to a close, it’s time for us to look back on the commercial construction building trends , news and projects of this past year and share our thoughts on the highs and lows in the industry. In fact, our commercial construction budget work was back to 2008 levels. HIGH – Everyone was submitting drawings in 2011.

Commercial 207

Commercial Union Retail Construction 207

HardHatChat

JUNE 21, 2012

Observations and Conversations about Commercial Construction, Development and Management. What are Today’s Best New Retail Developments? I get asked a lot about commercial construction trends. Recently someone asked me: “What is the best retail center to build today?”. Restaurant. Shopping Center. Hospitality.

Retail 216

Retail Commercial Chicago Leases 216

HardHatChat

AUGUST 11, 2010

It’s time to revisit another prediction I made last year in my blog post Commercial Constructions Trends to Watch in 2010 — Outside the Big Box. As for grading myself on that commercial construction trend, I would like to borrow a page from President Obama and say “incomplete.”. Chicago Place shopping mall retrofit. Michigan Ave.,

Retail 209

Retail Chicago Commercial Michigan 209

HardHatChat

DECEMBER 22, 2015

Writing our annual “Highs and Lows” commercial construction blog post was a bit more difficult this year because, on the whole, 2015 was pretty great for Englewood Construction and many others in the construction industry. Yet despite all its positives, 2015 wasn’t without its commercial construction challenges.

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Commercial Industrial Retail Construction 120

HardHatChat

DECEMBER 15, 2009

At the beginning of 2009, I don’t think anyone, including a national commercial general contractor like Englewood Construction, was prepared for the twists and turns that would face the commercial construction industry. High – Niche or value-driven retail construction. High – Green building. If you look at the Top 10 U.S.

Commercial 196

Commercial Retail Construction Chicago 196

HardHatChat

NOVEMBER 30, 2011

Value-based retailers like hhgregg, Ross Dress for Less and Savers should experience construction growth in 2012. It’s that time of year when our team predicts the 2012 commercial construction trends – from what’s on tap for Chicago retail construction to national restaurant construction and hospitality construction.

Commercial 179

Commercial Retail Chicago Construction 179

HardHatChat

JULY 19, 2011

It’s a mixed bag of commercial construction news for shopping center developement. On one hand, retail sales continue to show improvement from last year, yet the suburban shopping mall – or at least the traditional enclosed shopping mall – seems to be on the way out. Most retailers today want less space. Bill Di Santo.

Commercial 201

Commercial Retail Change Orders Construction 201

HardHatChat

NOVEMBER 29, 2016

Rounding the corner into the final weeks of 2016, it’s time for our annual post predicting the commercial construction trends that will influence the industry in the coming year. Here’s how that overall trend will drive commercial construction opportunities across different sectors in the coming year: Eat. Bill Di Santo.

Commercial 120

Commercial Construction Retail Kansas City 120

HardHatChat

DECEMBER 17, 2010

I’ll say it again, 2010 was a rebuilding year for the commercial construction industry. So I’ve created a commercial construction checklist for what we considered the highs and lows of 2010 commercial construction trends. There are still far too many distressed commercial properties on the market.

Commercial 196

Commercial Retail Construction Chicago 196

HardHatChat

DECEMBER 22, 2009

Look for a solid increase in commercial construction renovations verses new locations, which should hold especially true with new retail construction. Green buildings across all commercial construction sectors will continue to gain in popularity. You can reach me at bill.disanto@englewoodconstruction.com.

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Commercial Construction Green Retail 166

HardHatChat

MARCH 13, 2013

Being a national commercial construction general contractor can be an immensely rewarding profession. There is always a sense of pride and accomplishment after completing a retail construction, restaurant construction and commercial construction project for a client. Commercial property preventative maintenance.

Commercial 207

Commercial Insurance Retail Chicago 207

HardHatChat

OCTOBER 21, 2010

About a year ago, our team at Englewood Construction thought it would be a great idea to share our commercial construction news and experience through a blog. The editorial team behind commercial construction blog Hard Hat Chat -- Chuck Taylor, Kim Sawyer and Bill Di Santo. At first, I wasn’t sure. As usual, my team was right.

Commercial 136

Commercial ProCore Retail Construction 136

HardHatChat

JULY 13, 2010

The recent Chicago City Council approval of a second Wal-Mart in the city limits is excellent news for Chicago’s commercial construction industry. History shows commercial developers do well opening new big box retail stores like Bed Bath and Beyond, Home Depot or Best Buy near Wal-Marts. in Pullman, circa 1950s.

Chicago 205

Chicago Retail Commercial Construction 205

HardHatChat

JANUARY 12, 2010

When the news broke before the holidays about a fire at The Shops at North Bridge on Michigan Ave., As a national retail construction contractor, Englewood Construction has completed a number of retail construction projects in that mall. You can reach me at bill.disanto@englewoodconstruction.com. © Azusa Nakamura.

Commercial 168

Commercial Retail Construction Michigan 168

HardHatChat

JUNE 7, 2010

Commercial construction preventive maintenance. Granted the explosion and resulting oil spill is a worst case scenario, but it begs the question: Do you have the appropriate commercial construction preventive maintenance checklist in place? You can reach me at bill.disanto@englewoodconstruction.com. requires a bird.

Commercial 243

Commercial Retail Construction Negotiation 243

HardHatChat

NOVEMBER 30, 2011

Value-based retailers like hhgregg, Ross Dress for Less and Savers should experience construction growth in 2012. It’s that time of year when our team predicts the commercial construction trends for the upcoming year– from what’s on tap for Chicago retail construction to national restaurant construction and hospitality construction.

Commercial 120

Commercial Retail Construction Chicago 120

HardHatChat

SEPTEMBER 10, 2009

What Every Developer Should Ask General Contractors During the Retail Construction Bid Process. For my first blog post, a lot of people at Englewood Construction suggested I write about how to choose a retail construction company. In my experience, the most successful retailers choose these qualities over a low bid every time.

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Retail Bidding Construction Contractors 136

HardHatChat

OCTOBER 12, 2012

As a national general contractor dedicated to delivering the best commercial construction services to clients, we can identify quality work when we see it. As a commercial general contractor, we took time to appreciate our surroundings and site work, which looked on par with some of the best commercial construction projects I have seen.

Commercial 191

Commercial Retail Chicago US 191