Clear Height Properties Completes Renovation & Repositioning at 814 Commerce Drive

February 22, 2021

Lobby, common areas and parking were the focus of the Buligo Capital Partners & CHP partnership 

Clear Height Properties has completed the renovation and repositioning plans for 814 Commerce Drive in Oak Brook. Clear Height acquired the office building at the end of 2019 in a joint venture with Buligo Capital Partners.

Developed in 1990, 814 Commerce Drive is a three-story 171,933-square-foot office building.

The renovation and repositioning program revitalized the building and created a level of quality comparable with Class A buildings by giving internal and external spaces a fresh, updated look and replacing certain mechanical systems at the multi-tenant office building to produce greater operating efficiencies.

“The improvements we have made all have been designed to elevate the positioning of and differentiate 814 Commerce from other competitive buildings in the marketplace,” says Gary Rose, COO, Clear Height Properties.

Specific highlights of the renovation and repositioning program include:

  • Painting the exterior of the building a lighter color with contrasting accents to create a more contemporary look and feel and enhance the property’s curb appeal. This was further accomplished by incorporating extensive landscaping enhancements and updated exterior lighting—including in the parking areas.
  • Installing new exterior and interior signage, including new monument signage and wayfinding signs to appropriately welcome and guide guests and tenants.
  • Enhancing the look and appeal of the dramatic, two-story atrium lobby and other common areas within the building.
  • Incorporating a more hospitality-oriented look and feel to the lobby and public meeting areas with the addition of modern furniture groupings and area rugs, banquette seating, common area wifi, music through a new speaker system and more contemporary lighting.

Clear Height was able to quickly and appropriately alter certain lobby plans that called for creating spaces where tenants and their employees may collaborate. These changes were designed to offer alternative collision spaces while also being keenly aware of a new emphasis on social distancing.

With the renovation work now complete James Adler, Executive Vice President; and Dan O’Neill, Executive Vice President, with NAI Hiffman, are ramping up efforts to market the space in the building.

“It’s exciting to field weekly inquiries and showings from brokers and prospective tenants on the 814 Commerce transformation,” says Adler. The feedback and interest have been remarkable!” 

The building is currently occupied by IRC, a commercial real estate firm, and Innovista Health, a healthcare firm. The entire second floor, totaling approximately 66,500 square feet, is available for lease. In addition to that space there are available ground floor suites that can accommodate  4,700 to 8,500-square-foot  tenants.

The architect for the renovation project was Gensler. The General Contractor was DSI. Also integrally involved was NAI Hiffman, the property manager for the property.

The building at 814 Commerce is located one half mile east of Oakbrook Mall, and in close proximity to numerous other amenities including restaurants, retail and entertainment venues as well as hotels. Additionally, a significant village center development is under construction nearby, at 22nd Street and Spring Road. The building also benefits from its  proximity to I-294 and I-88, which provides for a quick commute from numerous Chicagoland residential communities, such as Oak Brook, Hinsdale, Western Spring and Burr Ridge, as well as quick access to and from Chicago’s O’Hare International and Midway International Airports.