10.07.2026
Organization to select member architecture firm to design flexible space that leverages new home’s location on Chicago’s crossroads of culture and commerce on Michigan Avenue
For media inquiries: Dan O’Connell, dan@danoconnellmedia.com, (617) 480-6585
October 7, 2026 CHICAGO: AIA Chicago, one of the largest local chapters of The American Institute of Architects and the collective voice of over 3,500 licensed architects, emerging professionals, architecture students, and allied professionals, today announced plans to select a member firm to design a new headquarters and gathering place for its professional members and the staff who serve them. Soon to be located at Chicago’s crossroads of culture and commerce along Michigan Avenue, the organization has signed a new lease at the historic Monroe Building at 104 South Michigan Avenue with a mid-2027 move-in date.
Chicago architects innovate new office designs.
Chicago architects have long had an outsized impact on Chicago. Since 1869, AIA Chicago members have been leading the city’s reinvention and evolution with urban planning, inventive civic spaces and ever taller skyscrapers. Today, Chicago architects are innovating new office designs optimized for creativity for businesses that had cut square footage during the pandemic. AIA Chicago plans to harness that expertise and select a member firm to design a hub for the creative professional that leverages the vitality of the Monroe Building’s location at Chicago’s crossroads of culture and commerce. That stretch of Michigan Avenue, known as “the Cultural Mile,” bustles with cultural workers and museumgoers and is home to some of Chicago’s and the world’s most illustrious museums, including the Art Institute of Chicago, the affiliated School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), the Field Museum and Chicago’s lakefront Museum Campus. AIA Chicago has confidence in both the enduring value of in-person interactions for creative professionals and the value of Chicago’s Loop.
“Architecture and design are intensely collaborative processes,” said AIA Chicago President Kelly Moynihan, AIA. “AIA Chicago’s members know the value of well-designed spaces that optimize productive interactions and we’re excited about our new home on Michigan Avenue and the open call we’re launching on October 7, 2026 to select a member firm to design a creative home that taps into Chicago’s vibrant creative design and arts scene.”
How AIA Chicago will select its architect from among its 3,500 members.
AIA Chicago is seeking a member design firm to create a new headquarters that will position AIA Chicago for the future with meeting and gathering spaces for members and flexible staff offices. The selection process begins with an interest form submitted by member architects outlining their qualifications. Upon review of the RFQ interest forms by the Board’s officers and executive director, a shortlist of firms will be developed and published to all AIA Chicago members. Shortlisted firms will have an opportunity to walk the new office space at the Monroe Building and submit questions to assist them in developing a formal proposal for consideration by AIA Chicago. Proposals will be reviewed by AIA Chicago with subsequent interviews as needed to make a final recommendation for approval by AIA Chicago’s Board of Directors.
“For 157 years, AIA Chicago’s members have shaped this city and helped it imagine what’s next,” said AIA Chicago’s Executive Director Jen Masengarb, Assoc. AIA. “Our organization provides its members with unique opportunities to gather, mentor and be mentored, learn, and innovate. We’re eager to work alongside them in creating a space that will maximize creative exchanges and professional development.”
An architecturally significant new home for the champion of Chicago design.
Throughout its history, AIA Chicago has made its home in many of Chicago’s most celebrated, architecturally significant buildings. Before leasing space in 2007 in its current location at the Italian Renaissance-inspired Jewelers Building by Giaver & Dinkelberg (1926), AIA Chicago was headquartered in the Merchandise Mart, an Art Deco design from Graham, Anderson, Probst & White (1930). Earlier locations include the Monadnock Building, the former U.S. Gypsum Building, the LaSalle Wacker Building, Glessner House, and the Kimball Mansion.
Beginning in mid-2027, AIA Chicago will make its new home in the historic Monroe Building at 104 South Michigan Avenue. More than a century ago in 1912, the Monroe Building, a Gothic and Romanesque revival-inspired 16-story, steel frame building clad in a combination of terracotta and granite, took its place among Chicago’s elite office properties of the early 20th century. Architect Martin Roche, FAIA, partner at the firm Holabird & Roche (now known as Holabird & Root), designed the Monroe Building to harmonize with the firm’s earlier neo-Gothic University Club, located to the north across Monroe Street. The Monroe Building’s banded multi-toned terra cotta exterior, with its decorative pilasters and overhangs, enhances the building’s rich façade. The gabled roof and dormers of green Spanish tiles complete the Monroe Building’s unique exterior. Together, the Monroe and University Club buildings created a striking gateway from Michigan Avenue into the Loop.
New home is prominently at the top of architecturally rich Michigan Avenue Streetwall.
The Monroe Building is also part of Chicago’s prestigious Michigan Avenue Streetwall. Stretching from Randolph Street to 11th Street, this 12-block stretch of historic buildings on Michigan Avenue is widely recognized as one of the most outstanding streetscapes in the world. Designed over the course of 50 years by prominent architects including Louis Sullivan, FAIA, Daniel Burnham, FAIA and Martin Roche, FAIA, these buildings reflect an array of styles and building technologies dating from 1880 to 1930. Landmarks Illinois notes that its high visibility has earned it the nickname of “Chicago’s Front Door” and is truly the face of the city.
Meticulously restored new home honors past while positioning AIA Chicago for the future.
In 2006, the Monroe Building was acquired by the real estate property division of Tawani Enterprises which launched an epic, award-winning restoration that included the restoration of the exterior terra cotta façade and cornice and Ludowici green tile roof. Decorative cast iron entrances on Michigan Avenue and Monroe Street were replicated from original photographs. The restoration of historic elements was informed by surviving original construction documents, early photographs, and much extant historic material retrieved from the site. The owners have continued to update the historic building with new amenities including a new amenity floor under construction.
Architect Selection Timeline:
- Announcement and RFQ Interest Form released: 10/07/2026
- RFQ Interest Forms from member firms due: 10/21/2026
- Shortlisted firms selected and notified: 10/26/2026
- Fee proposals due to AIA Chicago: 11/20/2026
- Announcement of selection to membership: 12/17/2026
- Target project start: 01/04/2027
About AIA Chicago
With a membership exceeding 3,500 individuals—including licensed architects, architectural designers, and a broad network of industry partners and students—AIA Chicago is one of the largest and most influential local chapters of The American Institute of Architects in the country. AIA Chicago’s mission builds on the city’s architectural legacy by advocating for the profession, sharing knowledge among members, and partnering with communities. The chapter fosters a culture of design excellence for equitable, sustainable places and spaces.
AIA Chicago offers lectures and continuing education courses; specialized, issue-specific Knowledge Communities; advocacy for architects; and help for consumers looking for an architect.
AIA Chicago is the local Chicago chapter of The American Institute of Architects. Based in Washington, D.C., the AIA has been the leading professional membership association for licensed architects, emerging professionals, and allied partners since 1857. Learn more by visiting AIAChicago.org.
