We See What You're Saying™
Essex Two first opened its doors in January of 1989, in 5000 square feet, on the seventh floor of 116 South Michigan Avenue, across the street from the Art Institute of Chicago.
In 1995 Essex Two moved sixteen blocks North, into its own building, almost 5000 square feet at 2210 West North Avenue. At that time the business was refocused to take on primarily Naming, Positioning, Branding and Identification assignments.
Our goal was to focus on fewer projects with longer relationships. This would enable the partners/principles the time and energy to begin a family. The design of this live-work building accommodated 6-7 employees and eventually two newborns, now in their late-twenties.
While in that building we managed to server over 300 clients, a few for 30+ years. At the same time we’ve been fortunate enough to be recognized by our peers for the quality of our work and our active and sustained engagement with several professional organizations and associations.
After 30 plus years and two grown sons we have closed Essex Two (except for a few ongoing projects) and opened J.M.Essex, Ltd. a Design by Objectives™ consultancy. The office advises individuals and groups on developing and nourishing creative excellence and leadership.
Addendum: The design and construction of the completed building has been recognized by the American Institute of Architects, the American Concrete Institute and featured on HGTV’s Extreme Homes, publication the New American House 2, Innovations in Residential Design and Construction by Oscar Riera Ojeda as well as published in the Sunday supplement of the Chicago Tribune.
Architect: Wheeler Kearns Architects
Engineers: LeMessuries Consultants and Spancrete Industries
Contractors: Firehouse Construction