News

We’re so proud of all the work we’ve done to help shape the landscape of Chicago, and we’re thrilled to have even more community-shaping projects in the works with Bright Star and St. James Church.

We are serving as the Owner’s Representative for a transformative renovation and $42M worth of new construction on the Tabernacle Event Center.

The site of this project is a building with a storied history. The formerTabernacle Missionary Baptist Church hosted leaders who include Dr. MartinLuther King Jr., former President Carter, and Aretha Franklin at the pulpit. Itplayed a part in organizing during the civil rights movement, and was led byReverend Louis Rawls, the father of singer Lou Rawls.

To honor that past, the new structure will serve several roles for the southChicago community, as a museum that tells the story of its role in shaping somuch of the national history and as a place of worship on Sundays. Thispartnership is particularly special to our Vice President for the Midwest &West Region, Girard Jenkins.

“It is very seldom you get the opportunity to work with two brilliant minds,whose creativity matches your passion for your project. Having the privilege towork with Deryl and Girard has truly expanded this vision beyond the borders ofa building. They made me dream bigger, and now we are focused on the planneddevelopment of Black Metropolis Village in Bronzeville. I’m so excited,” said PastorChris Harris Sr.

“This church is in my community — it’s where I live,” said Girard Jenkins. Heis a proud member of the Bright Star and St. James ministry, and his wifetaught Pastor Chris Harris Sr. as a child.

The project is currently in the design phase, and construction is slated tobegin in 2027. We are excited to build on a long legacy of community supportwith a new facility to serve the south Chicago neighborhood.

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