Second Story Additions
Vertical expansions
Second Story Expansion
When you love your Chicago neighborhood but need more space, building up makes sense. Second story additions double your square footage without sacrificing yard space or expanding into setbacks. This vertical approach is especially valuable in established neighborhoods like Lincoln Park, Lakeview, and Ravenswood where lot coverage is already maximized. You gain new bedrooms, bathrooms, and living areas while preserving outdoor space below.
Adding a second story is one of the most structurally demanding residential projects. Your existing foundation and first-floor walls must carry the new load—which means rigorous engineering before construction begins. We analyze soil conditions, foundation capacity, and existing framing to determine what reinforcement is needed. Sometimes we can build on existing structure; other times we install new steel columns and beams. Either way, the engineering is done right so your addition stands solid for generations.
Living through a second story addition requires careful staging and weather protection—we're literally removing your roof. We sequence the work to minimize exposure, installing temporary weatherproofing when needed and completing the shell quickly. Once dried in, interior work proceeds floor by floor. The finished home feels cohesive: matched siding, aligned windows, and proper proportions that look like the house was always meant to be this size.
Your Project
Team
Mike Ryan
“Mike brings over two decades of expertise in designing and constructing luxury residential properties throughout Chicago. As a University of Colorado at Boulder graduate originally from Minnesota, he demonstrates meticulous attention to detail and thoughtful approach to the design process. His strengths include navigating the complexities of securing building permits and managing client expectations from project start through completion.”
Kevin Wojtas
“Kevin is a skilled Production Coordinator with extensive experience in the architecture and planning industry. He demonstrates competency across AutoCAD, landscaping, InDesign, public speaking, and sustainable design. He also serves as a media and communications specialist and holds a Bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.”
David Petlicki
“David is a Chicago native who earned both his BS and MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He brings over 10 years of structural engineering experience across a wide variety of residential, educational, commercial, medical, industrial, and military projects, including both adaptive reuse and new construction. He demonstrates a strong commitment to client collaboration and takes satisfaction in developing optimal structural solutions for his projects.”