Taylor Johnson Public Relations

When it comes to #kitchendesign, prolific #realestate reporter Barbara Ballinger literally wrote the book. Having worked with Barbara on stories in outlets like Realtor Magazine, GlobeSt. and UNITS, it was no surprise to learn she was publishing a book (co-authored with Margaret Crane): “Kitchen Conversations: Sharing Secrets to Kitchen Design Success.” We were delighted when Barbara reached out about including photos and commentary from Taylor Johnson client Morgante Wilson Architects Ltd. (MWA) – who has been a go-to design source for her for years. Now available for pre-order – just in time for the holidays! – the book is a wonderful collection of insights, tips and project photos from industry professionals, including this quote from MWA Partner Bob Zuber, AIA: “When it comes to a home, more than any other room, the kitchen can tell a story about the family that lives there. It’s not just the place to prepare the family meal – it can tell you about their shared values and their comforts. It’s a place to find refuge and a storehouse of memories.” Interested in pre-ordering? Check out today's #TJTALK: https://conta.cc/3ATmAWB

When we saw ULI Chicago’s October meeting would include a tour of the new 73-story 1000M apartment tower, built by Taylor Johnson client McHugh Construction, we offered to cover the event for Urban Land Online. In addition to enjoying a tour of the building, meeting participants were entertained by a panel consisting of key members of 1000M’s #development, #architecture and #construction teams, including David Steffenhagen, project executive with McHugh Construction. The resulting article calls out highlights from the tour and panel, including the history behind the building’s origin and what prompted the #skyscraper’s signature cantilever that stretches over the landmark-protected Lightner Building, as well as McHugh-suggested cost-saving measures and how the team was able to push unit density and building resiliency through a full design-build method. Learn more in today's #TJTALK: https://conta.cc/4eGbimk

A dedicated mentor who believes in uplifting others, GI Stone President Sandya Dandamudi, a longtime Taylor Johnson client, wanted our help in promoting the knowledge and skills of Brian Tatar, who joined GI Stone in 2003 and now serves as director of field operations, overseeing high-profile jobs like the Obama Presidential Center and the Obama Athletic Center. Knowing Tatar’s gift for storytelling, we pitched him as a guest on the always-informative Stone World Magazine #podcast. The result was a lively segment featuring?Tatar’s insights on starting his career alongside his father (who was also working for GI Stone), how the firm has refined processes and equipment to create efficiencies and cut labor costs while improving worker safety, the fun in coming up with solutions to challenging projects and why GI Stone’s No. 1 goal is to make sure their #installers don’t have to think. To learn what Tatar means by that – it’s a good thing, BTW – listen to the episode in today's #TJTALK:?https://conta.cc/40W0jSB

In today’s market, it’s hard to find an #officebuilding owner flush with cash and ready to sweeten a #lease deal with a generous tenant improvement package. But Team TJ revealed such a hidden gem to the owner’s target audience – a wide swath of tenant brokers – by sharing the news in multiple industry publications.?In October, Taylor Johnson?client Glenstar?partnered with a high-net-worth private investor to recapitalize Presidents Plaza, a #Chicago trophy office complex near O’Hare International Airport. We distributed a press release about the all-cash sale and the owners’ additional $16 million in fresh capital available for spec suites, tenant improvements and common area upgrades at the two-tower, highly amenitized property. Resulting coverage appeared in CoStar, Commercial Property Executive, REjournals, REBusinessOnline, The Real Deal Chicago?and Bisnow Chicago. Read more in today's #TJTALK: https://conta.cc/3OfsSCT

Since becoming COO of Taylor Johnson client Proper Title LLC. in 2021, Kathy J. Kwak has steered the #titleinsurance agency through massive growth, from 60 to 130 employees and from seven to 14 closing locations across metro #Chicago and Northwest Indiana. She had all the qualifications and then some for Chicago Business Journal’s 2024 “Women of Influence” recognition, which is why we crafted a submission for Kwak when the media outlet put out a call for nominations. It’s no surprise Kwak was selected as an honoree, given her #leadership skills that resulted in a near doubling of Proper Title's geographic reach and the launch of a national #commercial services division. Her profile in Chicago Business Journal, which can be read in today's #TJTALK, gives more details about her career growth and tips for up-and-coming professional women: https://conta.cc/40RQhBO Congratulations to Kwak and her fellow recipients!

Team TJ had the pleasure of seeing not one, but three clients at industry events last week. ? Emily Johnson and Hannah Pisani saw Proper Title LLC.'s Sabrina Bier during the networking portion of CREW Chicago's Last Call for Fall. ? Patty Cronin and Tate Gunnerson were at Bisnow Chicago's Northern Suburbs Real Estate panel to hear from CHRIS COLEMAN, M.B.A. of TJ client Wingspan Development Group. Coleman joined speakers from Westfield, Vennpoint Real Estate and Denk & Roche Builders to comment on the area's new #mixeduse and #multifamily development, including Wingspan's The Vue in Elk Grove Village, Ill. ? Matthew Baker attended the ULI Emerging Trends in Real Estate breakfast with Emily and Hannah to support Curt Bailey of TJ client Related Midwest as he, Shapack Partners’ Jeff Shapack, Cushman & Wakefield’s Kevin Thorpe and Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres’ Lisa Duarte discussed current trends in the city, from the micro to the macro. Despite the lack of active #development in #Chicago at the moment (two of the rare exceptions being Related’s 400 Lake Shore and the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park), Bailey was very bullish on the city as the country eyes economic recovery in 2025.

Curious City, a popular WBEZ Chicago Public Radio series investigating questions submitted by listeners, recently set out to determine Chicago’s oldest #familyowned business. Longtime #realestate #brokerage and Taylor Johnson client Baird & Warner was a top contender for the title. Founded in 1855, it has remained in the Baird family for five generations. The TJ team facilitated an interview between the WBEZ reporter and Baird & Warner CEO Steve Baird as well as provided a selection of historical images from the company’s archive. So, is Baird & Warner Chicago’s oldest family business? The answer is in today's #TJTALK: https://conta.cc/48OrOiV

O’Hare International Airport is getting a makeover, and so is the nearby Hyatt Rosemont Chicago/O’Hare #hotel thanks to Taylor Johnson?client Bradford Allen, which is converting the property into the new Hyatt Centric Rosemont. Extensive #renovations will result in 206 completely remodeled guest rooms, 12,000 square feet of modernized meeting space, an improved fitness center, a?ballroom with capacity for up to 500 people and an upscale restaurant. Located across from Rivers Casino, the new lifestyle hotel will open this spring. TJ put out the word to local and national media, resulting in coverage in the Daily Herald, Bisnow Chicago, REjournals, REBusinessOnline, Travel and Tour World, Journal & Topics, Hotel Online?and Daily Lodging Report. Read more in today's #TJTALK: https://conta.cc/48OpvfI

Sometimes you have to spend money to make money, and Taylor Johnson?client NAI Hiffman had the expertise to know its bet on a speculative #medicalsuite would pay off in Hinsdale, Ill. Hiffman’s Brian Edgerton advised his client, Remedy Medical Properties, on converting long-vacant conventional #officespace into a state-of-the-art #medicalclinic. Many landlords shy away from these types of upfront #investments, but the 2,330-square-foot suite ended up leasing to a plastic surgery practice before #construction even finished. We knew the successful repositioning would be of interest to media and worked to secure coverage in outlets including Connect CRE Chicago & Midwest, REBusinessOnline, REjournals and Healthcare Real Estate Insights. Check out today's #TJTALK to learn more: https://conta.cc/48Q12Xn

Being featured in Urban Land Magazine, published quarterly by the Urban Land Institute, is a highly regarded placement for many Taylor Johnson clients, which is why our team stays in frequent contact with its editors and reporters to identify potential opportunities for our sources. Recently we learned a reporter was seeking thought leaders to discuss ways #urban #downtowns can rejuvenate their core following the pandemic-driven shift to more #hybrid and #remotework. We put the writer in touch with Anzhelika Arbatskaia, senior associate with TJ client Baker Barrios Architects, to share her insights as a designer and urban planner. Read more about her strategies – from shifting public perception to incorporating nature – in today's #TJTALK: https://conta.cc/48OvIbm