History of Tower Crossing and Architect George Pappageorge

George Pappageorge is the brilliant and creative genius behind Tower Crossing. He is the principal architect who designed the community.

George spent his twenties as a designer and urban planner in the city working closely with friend David Haymes. In 1981 they opened their own firm, Pappageorge Haymes Partners, to focus on innovative residential design. In the process they inspired the concept of new urbanism that revives cities and reinvents suburbs. It’s based on the way cities and towns were built for centuries before the development of sprawling suburbs and cul-de-sacs. More walking, less driving. Homes in close proximity to shops and services. Nearby public spaces. Everything within a ten minute stroll.

Twenty years later the developer, Kimball Hill Homes, selected the firm to design Tower Crossing. Soon thereafter Pappageorge was hard at work. He envisioned something more than the standard and often boring townhome, instead he envisioned the creation of an urban environment to reside squarely in a suburban community (Glenview) eighteen miles from Chicago’s city center. It was a bold idea, and we are the benefactors.

Here is how Pappageorge described his vision for Tower Crossing: "Located at either end of The Glen Town Center, the project is comprised of two collections of gabled townhouses each enclave encircling a quiet greensward. Known as the North and South Commons, the townhomes are intended to suggest the character of traditional nineteenth century row housing. At four stories tall, each townhouse is differentiated through subtle shifts in brick color or slight changes in the elaborate brick detailing. Projected bays and canopies add rhythm and dimension to the long facades."

The homes in the North Common are on Valor Court and Valor Drive; those in the South Common have Admiral Court addresses. Later, Pappageorge added Tower Crossing townhouses along Patriot Boulevard with spectacular views of Gallery Park and Lake Glenview.

Tower Crossing homes are as beautiful inside as they are externally. The judges of the Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago awards committee bestowed upon Pappageorge the prestigious Gold Key Award for Excellence in Housing Design for his Tower Crossing project. He has the gold key award, too, from Tower Crossing homeowners who awake each morning in their stunning Tower Crossing homes, thinking to themselves how fortunate they are to live here.

Today Pappageorge is among Crain’s Who’s Who In Chicago, and the firm continues its great work.