CBG Hotel Design Builders to Expand Hyatt Regency McCormick Place

CHICAGO – The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) has selected CBG Hotel Design Builders to expand the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, the primary hotel serving Chicago's McCormick Place Convention Center. Clark Construction Group, LLC, is the project's lead design-builder. The joint venture effort also includes local general contractor and renovation specialist Bulley & Andrews, LLC, and Chicago-based Goettsch Partners, Inc., architect of record.

The approximately $87 million contract is Clark's fourth with the MPEA at McCormick Place. The company completed the original 32-story Hyatt Regency Hotel in 1998 as part of the 2.5 million square-foot South Building convention center in 1996. Clark also completed the 2.7 million square-foot West Building expansion in 2007.

The project will add a 14-story tower with approximately 461 guest rooms to the existing 800-room hotel connected by a new pedestrian bridge. The tower, to be built on top of an existing parking garage, will be comprised of structural steel trusses supporting a concrete frame. An exterior of precast concrete and glazing elements will match the hotel's existing aesthetics.

In addition to the new construction, the project team will renovate significant portions of the existing hotel, including all 800 guest rooms and perform front lobby enhancements, business center improvements, fitness center upgrades, and renovations to food services areas. The scope of work also includes renovating meeting rooms and creating a junior ballroom at the McCormick Conference Center.

The project will be designed to achieve LEED® certification. Sustainable initiatives include adding a green roof and improving the McCormick Energy Center.

Design efforts began this month. The renovations and expansion work will be complete by June 2013.

Old Veteran Construction, Inc., of Chicago, is assisting the construction team with general contracting and construction management services. Additional project partners include Primera Engineers, Ltd. of Chicago, MEP engineer; Anderson Miller, Ltd.of Chicago, interior designer; and Magnusson Klemencic Associates of Chicago, structural engineer. McKissack and McKissack Midwest, Inc. of Chicago, is providing quality assurance and quality control oversight.