Williams Architect’s Remodel Overview

15-Story Professional Building | Itasca, IL

Our team was engaged to perform a large-scale commercial office remodel in a 15-story professional building in Itasca. The project involved upgrading and modernizing an existing, fully built office environment while coordinating multiple scopes of work inside a finished space with active constraints.

The remodel began with selective demolition and reconfiguration, including removing existing elements, constructing a new interior wall, replacing several cabinet units, and installing structural backing in six offices to support wall-mounted televisions. This early work ensured the space was functionally updated and structurally prepared for the new design elements.

A major component of the remodel was the installation of a custom turf ceiling system. This required a precise layout and concrete drilling for secure fastening. Due to the building's structure and surrounding tenants, portions of the work were completed during restricted and off-hours. All tracks and channels were pre-painted prior to installation to maintain a clean finish and minimize on-site disruption.

We also completed full interior painting of the 25,000+ square-foot office unit under a compressed timeline driven by the client’s schedule. Access to the upper walls was limited because finished desk systems ran the full perimeter of the space, preventing lift use. To reach the high elevations and ceiling lines, we built and rotated three scaffold setups, running two 16-foot planks around the office. Throughout the process, all carpet, desks, tables, and fixtures were fully protected to control dust and paint in an occupied-style professional environment. Despite the access challenges and square footage, the project was completed on time with a consistent, high-quality finish.

The remodel also included the fabrication and installation of six custom walnut slat accent walls, which are among the project's most premium elements. Over $10,000 in raw walnut lumber was used before any finishing began. To reduce visible seams, we sourced and delivered 16-foot boards, navigating difficult building access to get the material into the space. Each slat was sanded individually, double-stained on all sides, cut to final dimensions, and re-stained on all ends. With no wall backing available, each piece was adhesive-bonded and fastened, with strategically placed nails to keep fasteners as hidden as possible. All slats were installed with precise ¾-inch spacing for a clean, architectural finish.

This commercial remodel required careful coordination, constant protection of finished surfaces, and problem-solving around access and scheduling limitations. From demolition and reconfiguration to specialty ceilings, full-unit painting, and luxury wood features, the completed space reflects a modernized professional office delivered with precision, durability, and high-end craftsmanship.