I am feeling more energized than ever about the future of Chicago and the power of GOOD people with a dedication to building our communities better.
I had a terrific chat with the CEO of The McShane Companies, Molly McShane, at an event for the Urban Land Institute of Chicago (ULI). Molly’s questions brought out the personal and professional journey behind Clayco and CRG from our wins and lessons to our aspirations for what’s next. It’s not every day that you get to sit down and reflect on over 30 years of building something meaningful, and I’m grateful to have shared that space with her in a room full of visionaries and industry leaders.
A big part of our conversation focused on attracting jobs and businesses to Illinois. With its central location, underutilized industrial land, and strong leadership from Governor Pritzker, Illinois is a massive opportunity for economic development. Projects like the Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park are just the beginning.
ULI has always stood out as more than just a real estate forum – it is a community with a purpose! Its mission is to shape the future of the built environment for transformative impact, which aligns deeply with what we’re striving for across our Clayco family. ULI is the leading real estate group in the region that brings together developers, planners, and policymakers to find smart ways to use land, invest for the long haul, and build in ways that are better for people and the planet. What I appreciate most is how they create spaces like this for honest conversation and collective problem-solving, something that we need now more than ever to move our cities and industries forward.
Molly and I covered a lot of ground including scaling the business, navigating a challenging economic environment, and how we’re evolving with the times. I shared a clear-eyed but optimistic view on the U.S. economy and Chicago in particular. Yes, there’s uncertainty out there—tariffs, labor shortages, high interest rates—but the fundamentals of our economy remain strong. The next 12–18 months might be bumpy, but long-term, we’re still on track for growth.
One of the major drivers for us right now is data centers. That business has become half of Clayco’s revenue, and it’s only picking up steam. “We go where the business is,” I said, because that entrepreneurial mindset and relentless focus on our clients has always defined how we operate.
We also talked about design-build innovations and new frontiers we’re exploring, including quantum and data center development. Our discussion reinforced a common theme: our industry is at its best when it balances ambition with responsibility. As developers and builders, we don’t just shape skylines. We shape lives, neighborhoods, and economies. And that’s a role we should never take lightly. We have to make sure we’re growing in a way that supports communities far and wide.
Another major theme was one of the most transformative shifts facing our industry. You guessed it—AI. We’re integrating tools like ChatGPT across the Clayco enterprise, not just to boost efficiency but to rethink how we work and how we serve. AI is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Those who don’t adapt will fall behind. But for those who embrace it, there’s serious potential to build a lasting competitive edge.
I love Chicago. It’s a world-class city that’s beautiful, affordable, full of talent, and strategically located. But we’ve got work to do. I encouraged everyone in the room to stay civically engaged and help tackle some of the city’s long-term financial challenges—which are very real and can’t be ignored. If we face those head-on together, this city’s future is incredibly bright.
There’s REAL power in the way this industry is evolving. Thank you to ULI Chicago and everyone who showed up for the conversation. To all the builders, planners, architects, and investors out there who keep raising the bar, let’s keep pushing forward with creativity, courage, and community always at the center.
