Chicago, IL

When First Bank, successor to National Security Bank, relocated from 1030 W. Chicago Avenue in 1996, neighbors were concerned the commercial district would become desolate.

Baum Development, LLC redeveloped the vacant building from a single user bank to a mixed-use, multi-tenant retail and office building. Baum aggressively marketed the property and was 100 percent leased within 24 months. Tenants include: Marriott, Kinko's and Nationwide Insurance. These tenant's not only provided a newfound vibrancy to the neighborhood but much needed jobs as well. Baum even moved its own corporate headquarters to occupy 9,000 square feet of the building.

1030 W. Chicago is a three-story hexagon shaped

building at the corner of a heavily trafficked River West intersection. Commuters swarm this transient oriented 6 way intersection for the various public transportation outlets including the Chicago Blue Line train stop.

Baum continued to develop the retail community around 1030 W. Chicago, constructing two single tenant buildings at 745 N. Milwaukee Avenue, formerly a vacant lot. The buildings are currently leased to notable tenants U.S. Bank and CVS. Baum completed six additional projects within one block of the intersection.

Upon completion in September of 1997, Chicago Alderman Walter Burnett along with the River West Neighborhood Association and local residents and retailers joined together to praise Baum for the new commercial district calling it a key component to River West's growth and economic prosperity.

Baum's dedication to the community earned them the 1999 Chicago Association of Realtor's Good Neighbor Award for Outstanding Contributions to Chicago Area Communities for the projects at 1030 W. Chicago and 745 N. Milwaukee.