• Posted: April 6, 2020
• better construction

Powering Chicago electricians and contractors were hard at work in 2019 investing in better construction to reimagine Chicago’s iconic skyline and help propel the construction industry to great heights. The first quarter of 2020, while greatly impacted by the COVID-19 global pandemic, has seen the union electrical industry continue to deliver quality results despite uncertain times.

From new net-zero county municipal buildings to the continued use of technology in the industry, Powering Chicago members are doing their best to forge ahead and complete projects on time and on budget. Powering Chicago members have recently worked on unique projects on two of the city’s most recognizable streets – Michigan Avenue and State Street – that have transformed the way people work and play in the heart of the city.

Block Electric Helps Reimagine an Iconic Coffeehouse

On November 15, 2019, Starbucks opened its doors to its largest Roastery in the world located on the site of the former Crate & Barrell store on Chicago’s Michigan Avenue. The five-story, 35,000-sqft restaurant is a coffee lover’s dream, complete with a full coffee bar, bakery and café, and cocktail bar for those looking for something stronger than espresso. The project began in October 2018 and was completed just before the store opened in mid-November, with Powering Chicago’s Block Electric there from day one.

“It’s touching to see all these people who get a lot of joy out of a space like this,” said Scott Block, vice president of Block Electric. “People are really attracted to the space and it’s a credit to our guys who built it and to the designers who made the space possible for this experience.”

At peak construction, Block Electric had up to 25 IBEW Local 134 electricians on-site every day completing all electrical tasks. Block Electric was responsible for the demolition of the old Crate & Barrell space, the build-out of the new Starbucks, main power distribution, fire alarm systems, lighting, general power, kitchen equipment, low voltage equipment, and point of sale.

Block likes to describe the five-story coffeehouse as a Willy Wonka experience because the inner workings of Starbucks’ operation are put front and center throughout the building.

“From the escalators to the coffee grinds to the coffee tubs that go directly into the grinders, it’s a unique experience,” Block described. “They have various food stations throughout as well. It’s very Willy Wonka-themed.”

Sharlen Electric Transforms Unused Retail Space into Premier Offices

A few blocks away, an iconic Chicago building is undergoing a transformation of its own. The Macy’s department store on State Street, famous for its holiday window decorations and its roots as Marshall Field’s, is undergoing an 18-month renovation project that’ll transform the upper portion of the building into premier office space.

Powering Chicago’s Sharlen Electric is the electrical contractor working on the redesign. For the duration of the project, Sharlen will have more than 20 IBEW Local 134 electricians on-site to help reimagine the iconic retailer’s space.

The building’s eighth through 14^th floors are being redeveloped as office space, while a rooftop with expansive views of Lake Michigan is being added and new elevator banks are being installed throughout. Sharlen Electric’s work encompasses emergency service, a natural gas generator mounted on the roof, service for mechanical pumps and lower level power, 14 new passenger elevators, and fire alarm installation.

“This project is unique for us because Macy’s is such an historic retailer in downtown Chicago,” said Bill Cullen of Sharlen Electric. “We’ve been here since day one and to see the space go from a large-scale retailer to desirable downtown office space with a rooftop that has sweeping views of Lake Michigan has been extremely rewarding.”

Sharlen’s work on the 740,000 sqft project included the full design build as well as a refresh on the main shopping floor. The total project, from remodeling and buildout, to basement work and a new entrance of the building, will be completed in mid-2020.