Leopardo Completes Renovation of Hillshire Brands Headquarters

CHICAGO, Ill. — Leopardo recently completed the renovation of 400 S. Jefferson St., which will serve as the new headquarters for Hillshire Brands Company, formerly known as Sara Lee Corporation. The project was also recently named NAIOP Chicago’s 2012 Office Redevelopment of the Year.

The project entailed a comprehensive repurposing of the existing 300,000-square-foot industrial building, including demolishing the building to its cast-in-place concrete skeleton and rebuilding the new exterior skin. All new systems were installed, including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, roof and elevators.

In total, approximately $75 million was invested in the building in 10 months — an extremely aggressive schedule that was made possible by a strong collaboration of all project team members, including Leopardo (general contractor), Sterling Bay Companies (owner/developer), Proteus Group (architect), Project Management Advisors (project management) and Colliers (tenant’s representative).

Sterling Bay and Proteus Group collaborated with Leopardo to rapidly move the project from design into construction using the Integrated Project Delivery method. This process afforded real-time pricing data as building details were drawn with the design team working directly with estimators, sub-consultants and trade contractors who were at the table during the entire design process. From precast to exterior window systems to major mechanical and electrical systems, all parties had input and guidance during the design phase.