Welcome to the May edition of Blakely Brown Insights!

From strategy sessions in Miami to one of the most innovative high-rise developments currently underway in Chicago, it’s been another busy month across the US AEC market. In this edition, we also spotlight a recent case study demonstrating how the right hire can accelerate growth for both businesses and individuals.

Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support.

With appreciation,

The Blakely Brown Team

Miami Trip

Earlier this month, our co-founders regrouped stateside for an important week in Miami. It marked the first time Ryan, Ross and Jacob had all been together in our Miami office at the same time, creating a valuable opportunity to reflect on the progress of the business, align on strategy, and plan for the year ahead.

Joined by our Chairman and Non-Executive Director, Simon Crockett, the week combined high-level planning with valuable time spent alongside the wider team. A full board meeting was held to review the company’s continued growth across the US market, discuss long-term objectives, and map out the next phase of expansion for Blakely Brown.

Alongside strategy sessions and planning meetings, Simon also spent time meeting one-to-one with each consultant in the Miami office. These conversations gave the team the opportunity to discuss their personal goals, performance and professional development, while also benefiting from Simon’s experience and advice.

The visit was also a reminder of the importance of in-person collaboration as the business continues to grow internationally. Bringing leadership and consultants together in the same room created space for productive discussions, new ideas, and plenty of momentum heading into the rest of the year.

400 Lake Shore Drive, Chicago: Redefining the Future of Supertall Construction

A long-vacant site in downtown Chicago is finally being transformed into one of the city’s most ambitious new developments: 400 Lake Shore Drive. The project will deliver two nearly 900-foot residential towers on the former site of the cancelled Chicago Spire development, combining high-end residential space, affordable housing, public areas and panoramic views across the city, river and lake.

What makes the project particularly significant is its innovative approach to wind engineering. Rather than relying on a traditional tuned mass damper to reduce building sway, the design team used architectural form and structural engineering to naturally mitigate wind forces. Extensive wind tunnel testing informed the towers’ stepped and tapered design, while a complex belt and outrigger system strengthens the structure and controls movement.

The project has also showcased the growing importance of collaboration and technology in modern construction. By reusing existing foundations from the original Spire project, leveraging BIM, VDC coordination and drone verification, and carefully sequencing work on an extremely constrained urban site, the team has maintained an aggressive construction schedule while prioritising safety and efficiency.

What does this mean for engineers?

1. Architectural design is increasingly driving structural performance: The project demonstrates how building form itself can solve major engineering challenges, reducing reliance on expensive mechanical systems like tuned mass dampers.

2. Technology-led coordination is becoming essential on complex projects: BIM, VDC modelling and drone verification played a critical role in maintaining accuracy, reducing rework and keeping construction on schedule.

3. Adaptive reuse and sustainability remain major priorities: Reusing existing caissons and foundations from the original Spire development reduced environmental impact, lowered costs and improved project efficiency.

What does this mean for recruiters?

1. Demand for specialised structural and high-rise engineering talent continues to grow: Projects like this require highly experienced professionals across structural engineering, wind analysis, concrete construction and façade coordination.

2. Digital construction expertise is becoming increasingly valuable: Candidates with experience in BIM, VDC, drone technology and advanced coordination software will continue to be highly sought after across major US developments.

3. Collaboration and communication skills are just as important as technical ability: The success of the project relied heavily on coordination between contractors, engineers, architects and consultants, reinforcing the importance of soft skills alongside technical expertise.

Case Study: Expanding into New Geographies

The best placements are the ones where both the client and the candidate move forward, and Todd Lienau’s recent work in the Water/Wastewater market is a great example of exactly that.

Todd partnered with a Client Service Leader at a large ENR firm in the Southeast who had already built a strong track record and was ready for the next step: a role that would offer greater influence, increased responsibility, and the opportunity to make a bigger impact.

At the same time, Todd was supporting a client with ambitious growth plans, specifically looking to establish a presence in a new, strategic geography. They needed a proven leader who could not only deliver projects, but also drive market entry and build long-term client relationships.

Recognizing the alignment, Todd brought both parties together, creating a solution that delivered on both sides.

The result?

The candidate secured a $30K increase in base salary, stepped into a more senior leadership role, and took a significant leap forward in his career.

For the client, they gained a highly respected leader with a strong regional reputation, accelerating their expansion into a new market, unlocking project opportunities, and supporting long-term revenue growth.

If you operate in the Water/Wastewater market and are looking to grow your team, reach out to Todd at todd@blakelybrowngroup.com.