After 30 years in business, we asked our partners about their experience working with Focus over the years, and here is what they had to say.
Executive Vice President, Wintrust
We here are Wintrust Commercial Real Estate (WTFC) have been working with Focus for well over 10 plus years. In that time, the Focus team have become a great development partner and their attention to detail in all phases of development cycle has been enviable. All projects financed have been on time and on budget, during one of the Iconic Developments in Lake Forest, Kelmscott Park, Tim and his team worked “hand in glove” with the Bank to be true partners in a complex development with multiple stakeholders. As Chicago’s bank we look forward to the continued accretive relationship with one of Chicagoland’s best in class developers.
President and COO, Atlantic Residential
Our relationship with Focus now spans over ten years. In that time, we have worked together on 8 developments from renovation to garden to mid-rise to high-rise. Each of these efforts have produced very successful deals. The collaborative effort has been outstanding. You learn a lot about an organization when you partner on so many projects in a short span of time. We constantly find ourselves on the same page and all pulling in the same direction. Tim Anderson and Richard Aaronson are highly experienced veterans in the real estate space covering many asset classes. Their collaborative efforts trickle down through their respective organization creating seamless execution. From meeting timely schedules to providing a top-quality product all while coming in on-budget. Focus delivered time and again. The accounting, reporting and project oversight is always professional as is the communication with their clients.
Construction projects can certainly test the limits of collaboration and coordination between parties and Focus delivers here as well. Any difficulties that are encountered they are quick to find solutions and quickly resolve any issues. We have enjoyed our working relationship with Focus and look forward to more opportunities to work together with them.
Principal, Gensler
Our valued relationship with Focus dates back many years. Focus’ entire team are true collaborators, and the highly successful projects and award-winning development work we’ve completed together has delivered high value and a distinctive quality and equally, have been very well received in the market.
The opportunity to work closely with Focus’ team members has been gratifying. The Focus team is knowledgeable, caring, quality-focused, integrated, and innovative. Partnering together we are able to “roll up our sleeves” and proactively and successfully anticipate numerous global dynamics over the past several years, as well as, solve unforeseen project issues that arise during a project’s development in a constructive and supportive manner.
Relationships built on trust, friendship, and mutual respect deliver tremendous results and build lasting value. Congratulations to Tim and the entire Focus’ team on your 30th Year in Business! My team and I look forward to continuing our good work together with Focus for many years to come
Principal, RG Construction
I have been working with Tim and the Focus team for nearly their entire 30 years history. In that time, I have always admired the way that he leads the firm and sets an example for our industry. His fair and solution-oriented approach is reflected across the organization and every team I have worked with at Focus have been professional, organized, and open-minded.
Throughout my time in the construction industry, I have always found that many lack an owner’s mentality, but that has never been true at Focus. They are a solution-oriented group and approach all problems collaboratively. For example, in one of the more recent, value-add projects we collaborated on, Focus encountered unexpected conditions with the potential to have a substantial impact on schedule. Their team brought us in quickly and together we were able to solve the problem and with little impact to the owner. And that is what you can expect from Focus, solution-oriented professionals with an owner’s mentality who are there to get the job done right.
Senior Principal, Walton Street Capital
For the past five plus years I’ve had the privilege of working with Focus as both a development partner and a general contractor on the 630K SF Class A office project in Fulton Market at 167 Green St. I’ve always said that you can only do good deals with good people and Focus is the definition of “good people” from their ethics to their expertise. Focus’ ability to proactively and creatively solve challenges while consistently pursuing the right answer for the project, even when it was in conflict with the best interest of Focus, makes them a superior partner. I look forward to working together on many more deals in the years to come.
Vice President, Wells Concrete
It has been a great experience partnering with Focus throughout the Chicagoland area over the last 10 years. Every project has been collaborative effort, where we come together with creative, yet functional solutions that work best for each new development. Focus is not afraid of using innovative systems or methods on their buildings and it’s always a fun challenge working with them to develop creative solutions that work functionally and benefit the economics for the development.
Carlyle, Partner + Managing Director
During my time at Carlyle, I have worked with Focus on four multifamily developments spanning 6 years. The key takeaway I have from our long history is that Focus has consistently brought to the table an ability to identify opportunity and execute on a creative vision. More importantly, their passion for design, and expert approach in my view helped make our projects successful while their collaborative method and top-notch people made the experience truly enjoyable. Congratulations on 30 years.
CEO, Booth Hansen
I have worked with Focus on many projects over the last 15 years. Their team of like-minded professionals approach each project collaboratively and together we have produced responsive designs with beautiful impact. As an architect, I appreciate the dedication to design Focus shows, on the last 5 projects we’ve delivered with their team, not one of the designs mirrored another. It is clear that Focus believes that good design creates value and they are passionate about delivering buildings which embody that principle.
To learn more about Focus, or to explore open opportunities with our firm, try our About Us page. If you have a specific question or would like to discuss partnering with us, reach out today.