Related Midwest and Japanese American Service Committee Housing Corporation host ribbon cutting for rehabilitation of Heiwa Terrace completed by LR Contracting

CHICAGO (October 3, 2023)—Today, the Japanese American Service Committee Housing Corporation (JASCHC) hosted a ribbon cutting to unveil the rehabilitation and modernization of the Heiwa Terrace Apartment Community, an affordable senior community in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood. The project, which is owned by JASCHC, was a turnkey development project by Related Midwest, and the extensive rehabilitation work on the property was completed by Related Midwest’s general contracting arm, LR Contracting.

Heiwa Terrace’s transformation is the first major update since its construction in 1980. It entailed the expansion and enhancement of existing common areas as well as the creation of new ones, including a lobby, lounge area and a lush Japanese garden. Throughout the building, LR Contracting replaced existing units with floor-to-ceiling windows, providing residents with expansive city views and bringing the exterior in line with the evolution of other properties in the community. In-unit updates include new flooring, kitchens and bathrooms—totaling an investment of $185,000 in each unit. 

"The renovation of Heiwa Terrace has been an incredibly successful partnership between LR Contracting and the Japanese American Service Committee Housing Corporation," said Don Biernacki, President, LR Conracting Company. "Heiwa has always been a vibrant affordable housing community, and now its interior and exterior feature modern finishes and design drawing on residents' cultural heritage and beautiful common areas that bring people together."

The work, led by an all-female team at LR Contracting, was completed on time and on budget, ensuring all residents would be fully settled in their renovated homes as quickly as possible and with minimal disruption.

“Our goal at Heiwa Terrace was to provide beautiful, modern, affordable homes for senior residents, and we are impressed by the speed, professionalism and expertise with which LR Contracting completed this project,” said John Suzuki, President of the Japanese American Service Committee Housing Corporation. “The team understood our vision and brought it to life to create a community that provides a unique living experience for our residents.”