Novak Construction Unveils Stunning Whole Foods Market – New Midwest Flagship Store

March 23, 2017 | Press Release

CHICAGO, IL – Novak Construction Company representatives stood proudly next to its Whole Foods partners yesterday morning at the historic intersection of Ashland-Belmont-Lincoln (3201 N. Ashland Avenue), signaling the return to a bustling corner punctuated by commerce, commuters and community.

The highly anticipated opening featured 44th Ward Alderman, Tom Tunney and Department of Building & Planning Commissioner, David L. Reifman, and Whole Foods Market Regional President, Michael Bashaw. 47th Ward Alderman, Ameya Pawar, also attended alongside Novak leadership, John G. Novak and Michael W. Kanzler.

Noted Novak’s Founder/President, John Novak, “By activating this vacant site with such a longterm tenant commitment, Whole Foods Market enhances the community and accommodates the needs of its residents, in addition to ushering in an era of new activity and new jobs at this location. I am sure this store will inspire a new vitality in this neighborhood – from morning until night. We are very honored to be a part of that.”

A large portion of the three primary building facades is covered with an innovative LiveWall greenspace that softens the building’s sleek architecture, while providing greenery along the busy pedestrian corridors. The Lobby includes a full-service roastery for Allegro coffee, which is sold at many Chicagoland Whole Foods stores. To enhance customers’ enjoyment, the second-story retail level includes a wine bar, pub, juice bar, arcade, a Wrigley Field nook and a “porch.” Finally, the construction incorporated “SMART Park” for its 300 indoor parking spaces to facilitate the flow and reduce traffic congestion.

The multiple phases of the actual construction presented the chief challenge for the team. With zero lot line with which to work, Project Director, Steve Bykowski, cited incredible coordination as his team worked on the basement, ground floor and second floor simultaneously. “However, everything transitioned seamlessly and we hit the target opening date.”

An extensive collaboration across a swath of city officials and community members went into this project as well. Key team members of Novak Construction worked with several key constituencies over a one-year period that included Ald. Tunney, the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), St. Luke’s Pastor David Abrahamson, the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce and the West Lakeview Neighbors Association.

About Novak Construction

Celebrating 35 years, Novak Construction (www.novakconstruction.com), founded by John Novak in 1980, is a top tier, nationally-recognized General Contractor and Construction Management firm known for its well-rounded portfolio and many projects in the retail, restaurant, industrial, corporate, institutional, healthcare, hospitality, and multi-family/mixed-use sectors. Novak Construction has consistently been named as one of Chicago’s Top General Contractors. In October 2015, Novak Construction Company was awarded AIA Chicago’s Design Excellence Award – General Contractor for its By The Hand Club for Kids project.

About Whole Foods Market

Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (www.wholefoodsmarket.com) is the leading retailer of natural and organic foods, and America’s first national “Certified Organic” grocer. In fiscal year 2013, the Company had sales of approximately $13 billion and currently has over 370 stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Whole Foods Market employs over 78,000 team members and has been ranked for 17 consecutive years as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America by Fortune magazine.