North Shore Community Bank and Trust
7800 Lincoln Avenue, Skokie, Illinois

This 16,000 sq. ft. banking facility is located on the border of the downtown area and a residential neighborhood on Lincoln Avenue in Skokie, Illinois. The goal was to create a historic feel that would reinforce the traditional elements requested by the banking institution and create a scale to the architecture that would be appropriate to the neighborhood.

The building itself consists of two full stories, a full basement, and attic. The main level houses commercial banking services, the second floor houses the loan department, executive offices and board meeting rooms with the lower level incorporating the main vault spaces, employee spaces, and auxiliary storage. The attic has a multitude of functions, from providing additional storage space, access to mechanical equipment, and effectively screening that equipment as well as the elevator overrun.

The design of an entire city block in an established downtown district is rare opportunity. The fortress-like building maintains the line of the streetscape, with the structure forming a prominent gateway to downtown Skokie. The landscaped site lends to its context within the surrounding suburban environment.

This project was honored in 2004 with a Project of the Year Award from the National Commercial Builders Council and in 2003 with a Craftsmanship Award from the Illinois Indiana Masonry Council.