NeoCon Brands Expand Showrooms, Restaurant Designs Nominated for James Beard Award, and More News This Week

Rebecca Holland
The California-inspired restaurant, designed by Parts and Labor, reflects residential interiors for the coastal cuisine

The Chicago design community is always buzzing. From events happening around town to news coverage that can’t be missed, there’s a lot to keep track of in the Windy City. In this weekly news roundup, AD PRO has everything you need to know.

NeoCon Expands Showrooms Ahead of Conference

Ahead of its 51st edition on June 10–12, NeoCon announced new and expanded showrooms at the Mart. Hightower, Kwalu, Beaufurn, Montisa, Cumberland Furniture, Emeco, and HAT Contract will all debut on the 11th floor. Additionally, a number of brands including Via Seating, VS America, and Stylex will either expand or relocate in the Mart, and the seventh-floor exhibit hall will showcase both new and returning NeoCon brands.

Evanston-Based Firm Announces Round of Promotions

Morgante Wilson Architects promoted four employees to associates. Ellen Whitehead and Monica Musialowski were promoted from project managers to associates in architecture, Kevin Thayer was made an associate of architectural interiors, and Diana Ortiz was promoted to associate in interior design.

Jeanne Gang’s Vista Tower Tops Out as City’s Third Tallest Building

Architect Jeanne Gang’s Vista Tower topped out last week at 101 stories tall. At 1,191 feet, the building is set to be Chicago’s third tallest structure. The tower will be completed by 2020 and will have 396 condominiums, a five-star hotel, a sky terrace with an outdoor pool, a Tesla car-share program, a wine-tasting room, and more. “The topping out of Vista Tower marks a momentous occasion, not just in our construction timeline, but also in the impact that Vista Tower has on the Chicago skyline” said David Carlins, president of Magellan Development Group, in a statement. “The tower can now be seen soaring among other supertall buildings, exciting our homeowners, future purchasers, hotel guests, and Chicagoans alike.”

Chicago’s 2050 Future Is Explored at CAC

The Chicago Architecture Center announced a new exhibit in its upstairs rotating gallery. “From Me to We,” on view in May, explores how Chicago and other global cities will transform by the year 2050. Visitors will learn about transportation, mobility, and the disrupters cities need to address as more of the world’s population moves to urban areas.

Chicago Restaurants Nominated for James Beard Award

The James Beard Foundation Awards will be held in Chicago on May 6, and two Chicago restaurants are nominated for Outstanding Restaurant Design in the 76 seats and over category. Lonesome Rose by Land and Sea Dept. and Pacific Standard Time by Parts and Labor Design are nominated for the award along with New York City restaurant Boqueria by Studio Razavi Architecture.