AmTrust RE, a national real estate owner-developer with a portfolio of commercial, mixed-use and residential properties across the Northeast, Midwest and Sunbelt, has signed a 9,630-square-foot office lease transaction with Skyline Construction at One East Wacker, AmTrust’s 41-story, 560,000-square-foot office tower overlooking the Chicago Riverwalk and River North. Jon Milonas and Kyle Kamin of CBRE represented the tenant in the transaction.
Skyline’s new Chicago office will be nearly three times larger than its current space.
“In the past five years, our team has experienced rapid and intentional growth with lofty goals for further expansion,” said Jim Smiley, project executive with Skyline. “Moving to One East Wacker will allow us to expand into a larger physical footprint to help facilitate productivity and collaboration while also providing a centralized location near many of our valued clients and business partners.”
In 2023, AmTrust selected Skyline to lead a major capital improvements program for the trophy office tower, upgrading the building’s exterior and conducting comprehensive interior renovations throughout the property, including: a completely redeveloped hospitality-grade lobby with modern finishings, a ground-floor tenant lounge, and a residential-style mailroom-package; upgraded building entrances and other exterior improvements; a new, full-floor expansive amenity space with a top-tier fitness experience, double-height event space, work areas, lounge space, a bar area, and various conferencing alternatives — all overlooking the Chicago River and ab enhanced top-floor lounge and 360-degree observation deck with modern furnishings and high-quality fixtures.
“Skyline’s decision to relocate to One East Wacker is the latest example of the ‘flight to quality,’ where leading employers are increasingly committed to providing their employees with an energized office environment, from a work, social and wellness perspective,” said Patrick Kearney, AmTrust’s managing director. “With Skyline Construction overseeing the renovation process, its team has an intimate knowledge of our vision for the building. Skyline’s long-term commitment to the property is a testament to our well-conceived improvement program. The first phase of the new lobby will be open shortly, and we expect the full renovation to be complete when Skyline moves into the building this fall. Other upgrades to the building, including new food & beverage options, are also in the works, taking advantage of the prime frontage on the corner of State Street and Wacker Drive.”
