Third party logistics provider C.H. Robinson has moved its Chicago flagship operation into the new Lincoln Yards development in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago. It is the first anchor tenant in the revitalization area.
“We are the largest logistics employer in Chicago and we built this office with future growth in mind as we look forward to many more years in this great city,” said Pat Nolan, vice president North America at C.H. Robinson. “Chicago has always been a transportation hub for moving goods in the U.S., which is why C.H. Robinson has had continuous operations here for over 100 years.”
Located at 1515 W. Webster Avenue, the four-story, modern riverfront building and surrounding grounds were designed by SOM architects. The energy-efficient building emulates flowing water in its exterior and is topped with an extensive green roof. A thirty-foot setback and 5,000-square-foot roof terrace abut the Chicago River, offering employees and visitors alike views of the water.
Skender served as general contractor on the interior construction. The new, technology-rich office space offers a wide range of amenities in support of a highly collaborative and productive workplace, including open office workstation areas, private offices, conference rooms of varying size, two reception areas, a warming pantry and large café, a 5,000-square-foot roof terrace with unobstructed views of downtown Chicago and an open atrium that cuts dramatically through all four floors of the firm’s space.
Lincoln Yards is a 70-acre planned development along the Chicago River that will link Lincoln Park and Bucktown. The developer, Sterling Bay, plans a 20,000-seat United League soccer stadium, a year-round entertainment district and the potential for 12 million square feet of both commercial and residential buildings.
“We have a great working relationship with the team at C.H. Robinson and have collaborated extensively to create the ideal space for their employees,” said Andy Gloor, managing principal at Sterling Bay. “Lincoln Yards is an important revitalization project that makes Chicago home to the most dynamic corporate site in the country for industry leading organizations such as C.H. Robinson.”
A Fortune 200 global company with more than 15,000 employees across 39 countries, C.H. Robinson’s total revenue is approximately $14.8 billion. The company’s customer base in Chicago has increased by 25 percent in the last 5 years and Chicago is a critical logistics hub for the company. The company—which has had a presence in Chicago for over 100 years—was drawn to the urban oasis of river access, bike trails, pedestrian paths and commuter access that Lincoln Yards provides.
“Chicago is an important location for us as an organization. We have more employees in Chicago—2,500 in eight offices—than any other global location,” said Mike Ryan, vice president of North American surface transportation at C.H. Robinson. “This office serves over 28,000 customers and manages over 1.6 million shipments annually through the world’s most powerful supply chain platform.”