• Groups: Design, Construction & Real Estate

  • With a focus on design, construction, and real estate, businesses in these sectors meet up to exchange ideas, learn about village updates, and share resources for business success.

    Connecting business to business and business to community.  Get to know us and make an impact on your business

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  • When Does this Group Meet?

    The Design & Construction Affinity Group meets quarterly in the evenings, from 5:30 - 7 pm.

    COVID-19 UPDATE - As of January 2022 we are planning a calendar of in person gatherings! However, we always have the "plan B" to get back into the virtual world of Zoom! 

    Where Does this Group Meet?

    We schedule our meetings in a variety of architecturally beautiful locales around the Oak Park-River Forest area. Check out the listing below to see where we will meet next!

    Want Regular Updates?

    If you'd like to get involved and receive regular updates on what the Design and Construction Group is up to, just send an email to Mark Walden (mwalden@oprfchamber.org) to get added to our mailing list.


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  • Meet-Ups in 2022

    We are planning! We are planning more programs for 2023 so stay tuned!

    Got ideas of a fabulous place to visit or want to host our group? Feel free to reach out to the Chamber's Program Manager, Mark Walden, and let him know! Email Mark at mwalden@oprfchamber.org.


    MARCH 10, 2022 - (5:30pm - 7:00pm) Adaptive Reuse Tour of CrossFunction (the Boulevard Arcade Building)

    Come join your fellow Chamber professionals in Design, Construction, and Real Estate for an evening in the historic Boulevard Arcade building, looking at adaptive reuse as this beautiful edifice is in a new form of use! 

    Food and drink will be provided by DCRE affinity group co-chairs Deborah Wess, Realtor with Coldwell Banker, and Phil Gould, owner of Property Guidance, providing building inspection and radon testing services. RSVP right here


    JULY 7, 2022 - (5:30pm - 7:00pm) DCRE Meetup at Olson's Ace Hardware

    Come join the Chamber's Design, Construction, and Real Estate affinity group at Olson's Ace Hardware!  We'll learn from Ace's interior designers about current color trends and design tips, to help you and your clients keep properties looking fresh and appealing. 

    The Olson family has run Ace Hardware stores around the Chicago area for more than 70 years, and we are thrilled to be their guests at their new Oak Park location, formerly Dressler's Hardware. RSVP right here

     


    OCTOBER 5, 2022 - (5:30pm - 7:00pm) DCRE Meetup at American House

    Come join the Chamber's Design, Construction, and Real Estate affinity group at American House! 

    American House is Oak Park's newest building, not yet open to the public.  Come check out this new landmark on Madison Avenue in the middle of Oak Park, and enjoy food and drinks courtesy of our hosts.  . 

    Plus, get to know the new co-chairs of the Chamber's Design, Construction and Real Estate Affinity Group!  Ray Sahm is a home inspector and owner of Sahm Home Services.  Matt Johnston is a real estate broker agent! RSVP right here

     


    NOVEMBER 2, 2022 - (5:30pm - 7:00pm) DCRE Meetup at Mood: The Shoppe

    Come join the Chamber's Design, Construction, and Real Estate affinity group at Mood: The Shoppe! 

    Local interior designer Candy Scott opened this shop just this year as a unique store in Oak Park, including furniture of her own design, her Recover line of rehabbed furniture, and decor elements from her native South Africa.  She welcomes our group to come talk design and enjoy refreshments!  RSVP right here




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  • Meet the Leaders!

    We have a great team to lead this Chamber Affinity Group!

    Ray Sahm, Home Inspector, Sahm Home Services

    AND

    Matthew Johnston, Real Estate Broker Agent

    We welcome you to the Design, Construction, and Real Estate affinity group!