The Terminal, Chicago

2024 Landmarks Illinois Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award for Adaptive Reuse

The Terminal in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood is once again a hub of innovation after sitting empty and deteriorating for decades. Built in 1916, the three-building campus was home to Pyle-National Company, a Chicago-based manufacturer of steam-driven generators and railroad lighting equipment, for almost 80 years. Following Pyle’s departure in 1992, the campus sat empty, neglected and underutilized. IBT Group, The Terminal’s owner, led the transformation of the empty warehouse space to create a 250,000-square-foot research facility for scientists, researchers and technicians. The approximately $70 million, multi-phase rehabilitation process has created a state-of-the-art mixed-use complex providing office and lab space. The unique campus is now home to quantum computing company EeroQ and chemical manufacturer Numat. The project has sparked renewed energy in the historically underserved Chicago neighborhood and created a space for the city’s next generation of innovators to thrive.

(Photo credit: ARCOMurray)

Additional Information

The Terminal campus is now included in the National Register of Historic Places, and the adaptive reuse project was able to apply for and use federal Historic Preservation Tax Credits. The project also had 25% Minority Business Enterprise participation in third-party contracts and focused on environmentally conscious construction. From installing energy-saving utilities to creating abundant greenspaces, the reuse of the existing manufacturing facility avoided an estimated 909 tons of CO2 emissions compared to new construction.

(Photo credit: ARCOMurray)

Project Principals

• Gary Pachucki, IBT Group, LLC, Owner
• Ari Glass, Mansueto Office, Investment Team
• Ted Fahey, Masueto Office, Investment Team
• Andrea Caputo, RATIO Design, Architect
• Ross Allen, ARCO/Murray, General Contractor
• Paul Schulenburg, ARCO/Murray, Senior Project Manager
• Colin Flynn, ARCO/Murray, Project Manager
• Andrew J. Elders, Ryan, LLC, Historic Tax Credits
• Ginna Ryan, Mauge, Inc., Boutique Branding

LI asks: Why is this place important to you?

Gary Pachucki, Owner

The genesis of The Terminal started in 2017 while working on a larger mixed-use project in Fulton Market. At that time, there were many tech-type tenants that were smaller that no one was paying attention to. These were run by young entrepreneurs who wanted some respect and a cool space to work in and contribute to the growth of underserved neighborhoods. So, we spent the summer with an intern looking for an interesting space that could address those goals, and eventually, I found the Terminal.

Without a doubt, the project has been a huge personal achievement in the acquisition, capitalization (thanks to the Mansueto Office) and leasing to High Science tenants. We have a product that firmly competes with anything in Fulton Market at less than half the cost.

Besides being a true multi-building campus, tech environment (the only one in Chicago) with a 30-foot clear height and full-ceiling skylights, the second-story space in building A is breathtaking.

(Photo credit: ARCOMurray)

LI asks: How did this place impact people in your community?

Gary Pachucki, Owner

According to the local police captain, the property was formerly the epicenter of crime in the neighborhood. I am sure the transformation of the property had a significant impact on criminal activity. During the construction, we worked with our contractor to ensure a diverse workforce and hired local subcontractors. We continued the effort by hiring local vendors as part of our property management team.

Further, during the development/construction process, we aligned ourselves with several neighborhood groups, Nobel Neighbors is one in particular, providing monthly tours for residents, which we continue to do. We also participated in Open House Chicago, which allows residents from the neighborhood and throughout Chicago to tour the building and labs and see the technology in Humboldt Park.

After our acquisition, Amazon acquired the adjoining 27 acres for a high-tech fulfillment facility, and hired from the community. This not only created high-paying permanent jobs but eliminated another crime-ridden site.

(Photo: Before & after adaptive reuse. Credit: ARCOMurray)