The Illinois Soybean Association initially engaged my team at Catalyst to remodel part of their existing office to improve its functionality. Following that project, they realized their current facility could not support their long-term organizational goals. They asked me to evaluate their options to expand their existing site, such as acquiring adjacent land or adding new storage facilities. Ultimately it was determined that a remodel or addition would not meet their needs. Their leadership team & I then explored alternative solutions, including purchasing, and renovating existing buildings or constructing a new facility. After reviewing several options, the board embraced the vision of acquiring a 20,000-square-foot former Gold’s Gym building, which Catalyst had previously constructed, as the foundation for a complete transformation.
- Negotiating & securing a property caught up in the complexity of foreclosure proceedings.
- Converting a large, open “big box” gym into a modern office environment.
- Creating a space that aligned with the Illinois Soybean Association’s mission and brand, rather than retaining the look and feel of a gym.
- Designing a flexible, light-filled workspace that supports both daily operations and events.
- Successful acquisition of the property at a fair value for both buyer & seller.
- Transformed a 20,000-square-foot gym into a 34,000-square-foot state-of-the-art office and conference center.
- Designed a spacious, open lobby for events, a modern kitchen/break room, dynamic conference rooms & collaborative spaces, and thoughtfully planned office areas featuring interior glass walls harnessing the volume & abundant natural light.
- Partnered with Architect Blake Knapp of Atelier for an excellent design & also with Laura Sammer at Widmer for furniture solutions that integrated the Illinois Soybean Association’s new brand elements, resulting in a one-of-a-kind space that fully reflects their mission and vision.
