Author Archives

Mar 18, 2012 | Post by: Steven Collens No Comments

The Final Hard Hat Tour

Yesterday afternoon was probably the nicest afternoon we’ve had in Chicago since last September … and it was Saint Patrick’s Day. Despite that, several dozen entrepreneurs showed up in the afternoon for a hard hat tour of 1871. It was the sixth large-group, weekend tour we’ve done since we began construction (and we actually skipped the hard hats, because we’re just about done with the construction). It was also the last weekend tour, because in just a few days we’ll open our doors. We won’t open officially until May 2, but a few companies will be able to start moving in next week. In these early, “beta” weeks, we’ll have internet access, desks, great startups and lots of enthusiasm, even while we finish the rest of the buildout.

I have been told repeatedly by the builders and the architects that this project is unique. Most projects don’t get a lot of media attention, and most don’t have the governor at the site to announce the opening day. But what’s been truly unique about this project is the level of enthusiasm and engagement of such a broad range of people. More than 600 entrepreneurs and members of the digital community have toured the 1871 construction site over the last two months. It’s been incredibly rewarding to be part of the process of developing this space, and I can speak for the whole team involved that we can’t wait to open our doors and welcome the first teams of entrepreneurs to their desks to start the real work of 1871 — building great companies.

Mar 12, 2012 | Post by: Steven Collens 1 Comments

Announcing Intelligentsia @ 1871

Startups and coffee go well together. Not just because co-founders are sleep-deprived, but because coffee helps people connect. It’s more flexible than a beer, less of a commitment than a glass of wine, and more appropriate than a martini in the mid-afternoon. As we moved through our design process, one of the things we heard consistently from entrepreneurs was that we should have great coffee available – for the experience, and for the connections.

We took that advice to heart. Those of you who have been on a tour of 1871 or who have seen the design plans know that one of the first things you see when you walk into 1871 is a coffee bar. If you’ve heard us talk about it, you know that we’ve been looking for a partner to operate that coffee bar – someone who is innovative, who understands the vision of 1871, who wants to contribute to the culture and community that we’re building, and (of course) who makes unbelievably great coffee.

I’m pleased to tell you that we’ve found our partner: Intelligentsia Coffee and Tea.

Intelligentsia is a Chicago entrepreneurial success. They began operations in 1995 and have been driving innovation across their business ever since. They continue to shape how the coffee industry partners directly with farmers around the world, designs coffee bars, trains baristas, and, of course, prepares coffee. They have retail locations in Chicago and Los Angeles, and their coffee is available throughout North America. Intelligentsia baristas have won the last four U.S. Barista Championships that they have competed in, and they are the only U.S. company ever to win the World Barista Championship. Last year, Intelligentsia’s founder and co-CEO, Doug Zell, was named the most influential person in the coffee world.

Since we first started talking to Intelligentsia about becoming our partner, I’ve gotten to know a number of their baristas and management. Just like Chicago’s digital entrepreneurs, they are fiercely passionate about every detail of their business. They are focused on driving innovation in their industry, delivering the highest quality experience for their customers, and they have a dynamic vision of changing the way the world views coffee. 1871 will be Intelligentsia’s fourth location in Chicago, and will be operated for the entrepreneurs and guests of 1871. We couldn’t be more excited to partner with them, and they’re just as excited about getting to know all of you.

(P.S. If you really want to geek out, you can watch Intelligentsia baristas perform here.)

Feb 27, 2012 | Post by: Steven Collens 1 Comments

18 Miles

For the last several weeks, I’ve been spending a lot of time at 1871, watching the walls and structure take shape. I asked our construction guys for some data on how much “stuff” they’re using in the build-out, and was blown away by the response. I thought I’d share.

They’re installing more than 3,200 linear feet of light fixtures. That means if you strung our lights end-to-end, you’d reach from the Merchandise Mart to the Sears Tower.
We will have 3,400 square feet of glass at 1871, including what might be the world’s longest whiteboard … 143 feet!
5,000 carpet tiles, which will be used in enclosed spaces to absorb sound.
And the best part … by the time they’re done, we’ll have more than 18 miles of communications cabling at 1871 to support our high-speed bandwidth!

The construction process is moving fast and everything’s tracking according to our schedule. We can’t wait until spring, when Chicago’s digital designers, engineers and entrepreneurs will start putting all this “stuff” to good use!