PITTSBURGH, August 12, 2026 – With a dual mission of revitalizing Chicago’s industrial Lincoln Yards along the North branch of the Chicago River and raising the bar for life science lab and workplace hubs, the eight-story 1229 W. Concord features Solarban^® 90 Acuity^® glass and Solarban^® 60 Starphire^® glass by Vitro Architectural Glass to showcase waterfront views, boost daylighting and deliver comfortable interiors.

On the historical location of the Finkl Steel foundry, the lab/office building, completed in 2023, is the first project to be completed on the 53-acre Foundry Park redevelopment site.

Developed as a next-generation life sciences facility, 1229 W. Concord supports highly adaptable laboratory and workplace environments. The project’s expansive glazing strategy helps maximize daylight penetration, reinforce connections to the Chicago River and create flexible floor plates capable of accommodating a wide range of users.

For the majority of the wrap-around rounded corner glass façade, Gensler specified Solarban^® 90 Acuity^® glass to balance daylighting with thermal performance. The glass combination delivers a Visible Light Transmittance (VLT) of 53% and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of 0.23.

For the vision glass, skylights, atriums, storefronts and entryways in the 285,000-square-foot building, the architect went with Solarban^® 60 Starphire^® glass for a higher VLT of 74%, while delivering a 0.41 SHGC.

Gensler placed the office space on the northern elevation with floor-to-ceiling glass views of the river. The labs are situated on the southern side where deep overhangs protect occupants from glare and solar heat gain. The façade also features long balconies where workers can enjoy the waterfront.

1229 W. Concord is situated right in the path of a busy migratory bird corridor. Bird-safe glass in select locations incorporates a silkscreened dot pattern, spaced two-by-four inches, to help prevent birds from crashing against the windows.

Embracing a biophilic design scheme, the interiors feature an extensive wood screen in the lobby, wood furnishings, plants, natural ventilation and circadian artificial lighting to complement the glazed curtain wall. The project is pursuing LEED^® Silver, WELL Health-Safety Certification and RESET Air Standard certification.

Future development plans for Foundry Park include up to 3,000 residences, including apartments, condos, townhomes, single-family homes, retail, commercial development, parks, greenery and riverfront amenities.

Project Credits:

• Architect: Gensler
• Glass Fabricators: Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope (Vitro Certified^® Fabricator), Cristacurva
• Glazing Contractor: Mid-States Glass & Metal
• General Contractor: Power Construction
• Photography: Tom Kessler

About Vitro Architectural Glass

Vitro Architectural Glass is the largest glass producer in the Western Hemisphere, manufacturing a range of industry-leading products serving the construction, solar, transportation, defense and security markets worldwide. Committed to continually raising the industry standard for sustainability, Vitro was the first U.S. glass manufacturer to have its complete collection of architectural glass products earn Cradle to Cradle Certified^® status and the first North American manufacturer to publish third-party verified Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for flat glass and processed glass products. Additionally, as of April 2024, all Vitro architectural glass products meet the Top 20% Low Embodied Carbon (LEC) material Global Warming Potential (GWP) threshold the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) established pursuant to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and related guidance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Vitro operates seven glass production facilities across North America, four residential glass fabrication plants in Canada and one of the world’s largest glass research and development facilities in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit VitroGlazings.com.

Media Contact:
Robert J. Struble
Vitro Architectural Glass
412-820-8138
rstruble@vitro.com
vitroglazings.com