CircEsteem’s new facility transforms a historic two story building into a vibrant, safe, and fully accessible hub for youth circus arts. The project carefully preserves and restores the building’s historic exterior while reimagining the interior with upgraded structural, mechanical, electrical, and life safety systems. New double height training studios, support spaces, and improved circulation were designed to meet modern codes, accessibility standards, and specialized rigging requirements.

Construction required close coordination and creative problem solving to integrate modern systems within the existing structure. The project was completed with zero lost time incidents, reflecting a strong commitment to safety for workers and the surrounding community.

This investment provides flexible, high capacity spaces for education, performance, and youth development, strengthening CircEsteem’s mission and delivering a revitalized community asset built for long term impact.

The design team approached the project with a clear goal to transform a century old structure into a modern training and performance facility while preserving the character and presence of its historic exterior. Achieving this vision required a highly creative and collaborative design process that balanced respect for the existing building with the demands of a specialized contemporary use.

Innovative problem solving was essential to integrate new structural, mechanical, and life safety systems within an aging framework constrained by limited space and modern code requirements. The team worked closely across disciplines to carefully thread new infrastructure through the existing building without compromising historic elements. Complex design challenges including accommodating significant rigging loads creating double height training volumes within an existing floor plate and improving accessibility throughout the facility demanded precise coordination and thoughtful detailing.

These challenges ultimately strengthened the design outcome. By addressing them head on the team achieved a clear and efficient layout that maximizes flexibility and safety while supporting the unique needs of circus arts training. Bright open studios durable materials and purposeful detailing reflect the energy and movement of the space creating an environment that is both highly functional and visually engaging. The result is a revitalized community asset that seamlessly blends architectural expression performance driven design and long term durability honoring the building’s past while enabling its future.

Achieving the highest quality of construction required a disciplined, collaborative approach focused on coordination, verification, and accountability. The project team used detailed field verification, continuous trade coordination, and strict QA and QC procedures to successfully integrate new structural, mechanical, electrical, and life safety systems within the constraints of a historic building. Frequent inspections and clear communication ensured all work aligned with design intent while protecting existing architectural elements.

The project presented significant challenges, including fitting modern infrastructure into tight and irregular spaces, achieving full accessibility within an older structure, and constructing specialized double height training areas capable of supporting rigging and performance loads. These challenges added complexity to sequencing and installation and required creative problem solving at every phase.

Working within an existing historic framework demanded precision, adaptability, and close interdisciplinary collaboration. By addressing these complexities through thoughtful planning and execution, the team delivered a durable, safe, and high performing facility that preserves the building’s character while fully supporting CircEsteem’s mission.

Safety was a top priority throughout the project, with a strong emphasis on planning, training, and daily accountability. Despite the complexity of the work and the challenges of renovating an existing building, the project was completed with zero safety incidents. This record reflects the effectiveness of site specific safety planning, consistent use of personal protective equipment, daily coordination meetings, and proactive hazard identification. The entire project team demonstrated a shared commitment to maintaining a safe work environment for workers, building occupants, and the surrounding community.

The project strengthens CircEsteem’s role as an inclusive community resource by creating a fully accessible and welcoming environment for youth and families. The upgraded facility expands program capacity, supports participants of all abilities and backgrounds, and enhances CircEsteem’s ability to reach underserved communities. By providing safe, flexible spaces for training, performance, and gathering, the project builds connection, increases participation, and reinforces CircEsteem’s mission of empowerment through the arts.

CircEsteem’s mission is rooted in using circus arts as a tool for empowerment, confidence building, and community connection for youth of all backgrounds. Berglund Construction was proud to partner in renewing a facility that makes this mission possible, transforming a historic building into a safe, accessible, and inspiring space where young people can learn, grow, and thrive.

Located within an underserved Chicagoland community, the project was designed and built with purpose beyond the walls of the building. Berglund worked closely with CircEsteem, designers, and local stakeholders to create a facility that supports expanded programming, increases access for participants of all abilities, and strengthens CircEsteem’s reach within the neighborhood. The construction effort prioritized local trade partners and small businesses, helping create job opportunities and circulate investment within the community.

By preserving a historic structure while modernizing it for long term use, the project contributes to neighborhood stability and growth, offering a welcoming anchor for youth development and community engagement. The renewed facility reflects the diversity of the community it serves and supports CircEsteem’s values of inclusion, creativity, and resilience. Through thoughtful planning, collaboration, and craftsmanship, Berglund helped deliver an enriching development that enhances quality of life and demonstrates the transformative power of community focused investment in underserved areas.

The Aux is a commercial hub of local, Black-owned businesses and organizations in the community dedicated to healing, wellness, and racial equity. The facility, which was co-created with the community, includes ten small business tenant spaces, five pop-up spaces for market vendors, five co-working spaces, offices and Zoom booths, outdoor gardens and green space, and a central gathering and programming space.
This was a renovated potato factory which repurposed building materials in order to minimize waste and reduce costs.
Some of the challenges with accomplishing this included multiple design revisions for the power to the building and being creative in order to succeed with using existing ComEd facilities. We did not experience and safety issues during this project.

The Aux was created from a vacant factory where vegetables were once processed into a high-quality community asset. By reactivating the dormant property and recycling building materials, when possible, the project is returning an unusable facility to productive use while maximizing the positive environmental impact of the renovated space. Some of the tenant spaces include, the laundry cafe, a private gym, movement studio and treatment rooms for physical therapy and massage.

The project team repurposed a building that wasn’t usable anymore. We accomplished this by using existing pieces and parts of the building wherever we could to minimize waste such as utilizing the existing ComEd facilities to minimize cost and time and also making modifications to minimize The Aux’s impact on stormwater runoff.

Some of the challenges with accomplishing this included multiple design revisions for the power to the building and being creative in order to succeed with using existing ComEd facilities.

During the duration of the project we had no safety incidences

The Aux was developed by a small group of community members driven to strengthen the community in partnership with a local nonprofit sponsor, The Growing Season, and Fix Development, which specializes in leveraging real estate projects as a tool for social change The Aux is a gathering space where people come to heal; it’s a reconnection of community. The hub includes several businesses that the developers want high school students to utilize.
“The name came from asking the question, what do Black people usually use to connect? And a friend of mine said music; we were in the car at the time, and it kind of reminded us of the auxiliary cord. And so the aux is short for auxiliary cord and it’s kind of a symbol of what we, as people, use to connect. This project is going to help tackle racial gaps in real estate, boost the local economy, build community wealth, and enhance community health”. – Tosha Wilson; Co-Developer

The Aux is a commercial hub of local, Black-owned businesses and organizations in the community dedicated to healing, wellness, and racial equity. The facility, which was co-created with the community, includes ten small business tenant spaces, five pop-up spaces for market vendors, five co-working spaces, offices and Zoom booths, outdoor gardens and green space, and a central gathering and programming space.

The Aux is a commercial hub of local, Black-owned businesses and organizations in the community dedicated to healing, wellness, and racial equity. The facility, which was co-created with the community, includes ten small business tenant spaces, five pop-up spaces for market vendors, five co-working spaces, offices and Zoom booths, outdoor gardens and green space, and a central gathering and programming space.