James McHugh Construction

This past weekend I was visiting my son who lives in the Lake Shore East neighborhood. While strolling in the Lakeshore East Park, I looked up and saw this magnificent building with the most exquisite façade of curvy balconies with undulating wave like projections. I did some research and found out that was the Aqua Building designed by Jeanne Gang’s Studio and built by James McHugh Construction Co. Jeanne Gang was a winner of the MacArthur Genius Award for her architectural design. Don’t know if there is any equivalent awards for general contractors but if there is, James McHugh deserves it. McHugh Construction turns out to be a Chicago business that’s over 100 years old and they have built many Chicago landmarks. My personal favorite is Arlington Park Racetracks, Peggy Notebaert butterfly museum, North Avenue Bridge, Presidential Towers and the most famous Chicago landmark: Marina City the corncob buildings. I wish on their website
they have a map that shows all the building they’ve built so I can plan a walking tour with my wife this spring. Is anyone at McHugh listening?

This building on Motor Row couldn’t have found a better owner. The inside was gutted and rebuilt into a beautiful office space worthy of an article in Architectrual Digest. The exterior combines modern finishes and historic details. The company itself has deep roots in the Chicago construction industry and has built some really killer buildings like Marina City and Trump Tower.