Withey Morris Baugh, a leading zoning and land use law firm, has acquired the former Half Moon Windy City Sports Grill from renowned global real estate investment firm Holualoa Companies. The law firm plans to repurpose the bar space into its new office while preserving key elements of its sports bar history, including the original bar top, to honor its storied past. The project’s expected completion is spring of 2025.
This transformation underscores Withey Morris Baugh’s deep expertise in adaptive reuse projects, which involve converting existing buildings into new, innovative uses despite complex challenges such as permitting and redesign.
“We’re anything but traditional attorneys, so it’s important for us to be able to develop something that is not just another pedestrian office space,” said Jason Morris, Withey Morris Baugh founding partner. “We wanted to do something unique that reflects our character. And as zoning and land use experts, it’s especially meaningful to finally have our own piece of dirt.”
Holualoa Companies, which owns the larger WaterView property where the bar is located, expressed enthusiasm about the conversion.
“The WaterView site has undergone a few evolutions. The 13-acre site was originally part of a 9-hole golf course. It is now a dynamic mix of office spaces integrated with a two-acre lake and recent additions including a putting green, covered outdoor meeting areas, an outdoor kitchen and a revitalized boardwalk surrounding the lake,” said Stan Shafer, Holualoa’s Chief Operating Officer. “Partnering with Withey Morris Baugh to reimagine the restaurant space as a distinctive law office is a perfect fit for the evolution of WaterView. Their presence will add tremendous value to the property.
“There’s a lot of talk about the office market being in decline, but premium office destinations like WaterView, with attractive amenities offering inviting places where people want to go to work, are thriving. Withey Morris Baugh’s approach aligns perfectly with that vision.”
Withey Morris Baugh plans to embrace the hybrid nature of its firm—land use and zoning law, real estate law and government relations—by maintaining some of the original sports bar elements in the new office.
“We didn’t want a cookie-cutter office space,” shared Adam Baugh, partner. “We wanted something that reflects who we are, while keeping some elements of the bar’s history in a fun, creative way. And it showcases our expertise in blending innovation with history, creating dynamic spaces with purpose.”
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