James Loewenberg, AIA
Chairman

 

A developer, architect, property manager, marketer and licensed broker, James Loewenberg has diverse real estate industry experience. Over that time he has spearheaded the development and design of many of Chicago’s most successful residential and mixed-use developments. Loewenberg serves as Chairman of NNP Residential, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Magellan Development Group and President of Loewenberg Architects, a Chicago-based architecture firm founded in 1919 by his father and uncle.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1957, Loewenberg first established himself in the Chicago real estate industry by designing a host of high-rise apartment buildings along Lake Shore Drive throughout the 1960s.

While Loewenberg has continually raised the standards of urban living with four decades of innovative high-rise projects, he is creating an entire urban neighborhood with his latest project — 28-acre Lakeshore East. As developer of the largest parcel of downtown land under development in any major U.S. city, Loewenberg has been instrumental in this massive mixed-use project from its conception, drawing upon his deep understanding of the development process — from financing, design, master planning and marketing to garnering community and civic support. Located where the Chicago River meets Lake Michigan, the $4 billion development will include 4,950 residences, 2.2 million gross square feet of commercial space, 1,500 hotel rooms, a public park and proposed elementary school.

Loewenberg has served on the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) National Housing Committee and as secretary and treasurer of AIA’s Chicago Chapter. A member of the Urban Land Institute and National Association of Realtors and The Chicago Architecture Foundation, Loewenberg was appointed to Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley’s Committee on People with Disabilities. His other philanthropic work includes serving as president one of Illinois’ largest foster-care agencies, and leading the development and design of a new program and administrative facility for Chicago Youth Programs. Loewenberg also was president of The Standard Club of Chicago and is a governing member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestral Association.

Charitable activities include:

  • Leading the development, architectural design and planning of a new, permanent home for Chicago Youth Programs, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of at-risk inner-city youth through tutoring, recreational, mentoring and after-school programs. Loewenberg donated land acquisition, design, development and financing services for CYP’s new Richard T. Zaleski Center for Children and Youth, recently opened adjacent to Chicago’s Washington Park.
  • Introducing Chicago public school students to the real estate business as a part of the Ogden Elementary School Mentor Program. Each year these students are mentored by NNP Residential & Development executives, gaining exposure to the real estate design and development processes through first-hand experience.

Professional & Civic Organizations include:

  • Chicago Symphony Orchestral Association – Governing Member
  • Urban Land Institute – Multi-Family Housing Council
  • The Economic Club of Chicago
  • Past President of The Standard Club of Chicago
  • American Institute of Architects’ (AIA)  - Formerly on the National Housing Committee, secretary and treasurer of AIA’s Chicago Chapter
  • Mayor Richard M. Daley’s Committee on People with Disabilities
  • Past President of The JCB, one of Illinois’ largest foster-care agencies