In many diverse projects, HPA provides a full range of architectural and design services including: concept design, schematic design, design development, construction documents, bid negotiation, construction administration and 3D modeling and imaging. Building types and experience include: Adaptive Re-Use / Renovation, Banking Facilities, Education and Athletic facilities, Commercial Design: Office, Retail, Film Production Facilities, Theatre / Set Design, Historic Preservation / historic Tax Credit, Hospitality, Clubhouse, Restaurant, Interior Design, Industrial / Warehouse, Call LEED Consulting, Medical / Dental Offices, Memorial / Monument Design, Municipal Office Design, Renovation / Rehabilitation, Residential Design: Single Family, Town House, Multi-family, Mid-rise, High-rise, Loft, Senior Housing, Additional Services, Code, Consulting, Computer Aided Design, Feasibility Studies, Graphics/Rendering/Models, Programming, Site Planning, Space Planning, Urban Design. Architects, Architecture, Chicago and International Architecture, Chicago and large-scale architects, Chicago.

company

Founded in 1987, Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture was created by Ray Hartshorne and Jim Plunkard. The firm's growth has been steady ever since. Now housed in their own building in the Fulton Market District, the staff has grown to over 30 architects and designers. HPA designs have spread throughout Chicago, its suburbs, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Missouri.

Today their client list includes some of the city's largest developers and builders as well as notable individual clients. Their commercial division is building on their early achievements and is expanding into the banking, restaurant and retail markets. Along with the founding partners, the firm is headed by senior principal Paul Alessandro and principals, Tom Pope and Aracely Nevarez.

bios

Raymond Hartshorne
Partner
Ray co-founded HPA in 1987 with partner Jim Plunkard as a design firm specializing in unique architectural and planning projects.  With over 20 years of experience designing and managing numerous award winning residential and mixed use projects, Ray has served the real estate development community as well as numerous private clients and institutions throughout Chicago and the Midwest.  Through this experience he has developed his expertise in a wide range of building types including housing, commercial, institutional, office, retail, schools, hospitality and film production.  His portfolio includes Elmhurst City Hall, St. James School, Bridgeview Bank Lincoln Park, Peter Elliot Studios, Riverworks (corporate headquarters of the Sara Lee Corporation) and the Uptown Square restoration and redevelopment.  Ray’s housing portfolio includes over 10,000 units encompassing senior living, town homes, loft rehab, historic preservation and high rise residential condominiums and apartments and he has been an expert speaker and panelist throughout Chicago for housing, rehabilitation and accessibility issues.  

Education 
Master of Architecture, University of Illinois at Chicago 
Bachelor of Architecture, Iowa State University   

Registration 
Licensed Architect; Illinois, Wisconsin  National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) 
Licensed Interior Designer  

Affiliations
Member, American Institute of Architects (AIA) 
Member, American Planning Association (APA)
Member, Construction Specifications Institute (CSI)
Chairperson, Chicago Housing Accessibility Task Force 
Panelist, Chicago Department of Housing, Design Matters Panel

James M. Plunkard
Partner

Jim co-founded HPA 1n 1987 with partner Ray Hartshorne as a design firm specializing in unique architectural and planning projects.  Over the past 25 years, Jim has developed his expertise in a wide range of residential projects from private single-family homes to large-scale, multi-family new construction and has served the real estate development community designing and managing successful infill residential and mixed-use projects.  His portfolio includes The Clybourn Galleria Commercial Center, 212 & 208 W. Washington, Elmhurst City Hall, Bridgeview Bank Lincoln Park, Peter Elliot Studios and the Riverworks Development, corporate headquarters of the Sara Lee Corporation.  Jim pursues a diverse approach to both classical and modern design work that has produced numerous award-winning projects and has lent his design skills to various pro bono projects including The Inspiration Café charity for the homeless and the Starlight Foundation.

Education 
Master of Architecture, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1983
Bachelor of Architecture, University of Detroit, 1981
Foreign Study, Polytechnic Institute Warsaw, 1980

Registration
Licensed Architect, Illinois, Michigan
National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)
Licensed Interior Designer

Affiliations
Member, American Institute of Architects (AIA)
Chairperson, Lincoln Central Area Zoning Committee
Board of Directors, Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago

Paul Alessandro
Senior Principal

Paul joined HPA in 1998 after 15 years of practice in Ohio.  His experience with large-scale industrial, media and civic projects has allowed H+P to expand its practice to larger and more varied work.  Since joining the firm, he has worked to refine the firm’s technical capabilities and increase the client base specifically in commercial and rehabilitation fields as well as managing the firms IT department.  His past achievements including managing the restoration and reconstruction of “Chicago’s front yard”, Congress Plaza and the adjacent bridges and architectural elements which received a national AIA award for Restoration.  This experience has enhanced HPA’s abilities in the field of historic restoration and redevelopment.  His portfolio includes The Riverworks Campus, The Clybourn Galleria, The Groves of Palatine, and the restoration and rehabilitation of the Medical Dental Arts Building, Uptown Square and 188 West Randolph.  In addition to architecture, Paul serves on several arts boards and performs and directs regularly at several of Chicago’s professional theatres.  

Education
Carnegie Mellon Univeristy, Bachelor of Architecture 1987
Tufts University, Civil Engineering Program

Registration
Licensed Architect; Illinois, Ohio
National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)

Affiliations
Wrigleyville Residents Action Committee 
East Lakeview Neighbor's Association. 
Board Member, Theatre Building Chicago
Director, CMTP

Thomas Pope
Principal

Tom joined HPA in 1997.  As a senior associate, he developed experience in design, construction documentation, consultant coordination, client interface, permitting, and construction administration within a range of projects, including loft conversion, retail and commercial, financial institutions, and high rise multi-unit residential.  He is proficient in a wide variety of construction types and technologies and has worked on a wide range of projects including Clybourn Galleria, 1260 W. Washington, 1429 N. Wells and several branch offices for Fifth Third Bank.  He is also overseeing the design and development of several of the firm’s first high-rise projects.  Tom was promoted to principal in 2003.
 
Education
University of Illinois at Chicago-Bachelor of Architecture

Registration
Licensed Architect, State of Illinois

Affiliations
National Association of Licensed Architects
Construction Specifications Institute, CD


Aracely Nevarez
Principal

Aracely joined HPA in 1997 after three years of consulting on Judicial Architecture. Since joining the firm, she has worked to refine our design capabilities and increase the client base specifically in residential and rehabilitation fields and she heads HPA’s interiors department.  She has worked on a variety of project types including single family residential, multifamily residential and commercial. Aracely is currently overseeing the Renovation and Restoration of the historic Medical Dental Arts Building to apartment use.

Education
University of Illinois at Chicago - Bachelor of Architecture

Registration
Licensed Architect; State of Illinois

Affiliations
Construction Specifications Institute, CDT

philosophy

Committed to the belief that quality design can only be achieved through clear and consistent communication, Ray Hartshorne and Jim Plunkard are involved with each project team and the production and facilitation of each project. The team's intimate involvement in the project puts them in close and frequent communication with the client.

Through their extensive experience with custom design work, Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture has come to value collaboration and communication as essential elements in the creation of exceptional architecture.

what we do

In many diverse projects, the firm provides a full range of architectural and design services, including concept design, schematic design, design development, construction documents, bid negotiation, construction administration and 3D modeling and imaging.

Building types and experience include:

Residential Design:

Additional Services:

honors

The firm has been the recipient of numerous industry awards including awards from the following:

contact us

Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture
232 North Carpenter St.
Chicago, IL 60607
P 312 226 4488
F 312 226 4499

To contact any HPA employee via email, mail to firstinitiallastname@hparchitecture.com

Employment: Tom Pope

Clients: Jim Plunkard or Ray Hartshorne

Consultants: Aracely Nevarez

Technical Resources: Paul Alessandro

Vendors: George Valdez

670 West Kinzie Street, Chicago, Illinois" description="Composed of three striking modernist towers, this new construction mixed use development sits on Chicago's near West Side in a rapidly developing residential neighborhood. The complex contains 209 one & two bedroom units outfitted with a finish package usually found in luxury developments. It also features indoor parking, extensive landscaped recreational areas, a two level work out room and a retail plaza adjacent to a grocery store. 303 West Ohio Street, Chicago, Illinois" description="In the River North area of Chicago near one of the main arteries into the city, this mixed used development combines innovative renovation and progressive contemporary residential architecture. The project consists of the rehabilitation of a 7-story loft warehouse for commercial and retail use, and the construction of a new 37-story, 240-unit residential building known as Silver Tower. The tower, composed of a series of concrete shell-like volumes filled with floor to ceiling glass, features a 26-story curvilinear glass wall as its primary facade and sits atop a base of architectural concrete panels and glass reinforcing the lines and proportions of the adjacent building. The design features multiple landscaped private and common terraces, and richly detailed residential lobby at the 10th floor. 621 West Barry Ave, Chicago, Illinois" description="This new construction 17-unit condominium building sits on 3 city lots in Chicago's popular Lakeview neighborhood. The facade design is highlighted by custom stonework that helps integrate this building into the traditional Chicago neighborhood brownstones. Each floor is divided into four spacious corner units averaging over 1,100 square feet each. The dramatic penthouse units offer 20' ceilings in the living rooms with master bedroom suites on a mezzanine that provide great views of the city skyline. 101 West Superior Street, Chicago, Illinois" description="This new construction 13-story 46 unit building rises at a prominent corner in the Gold Coast neighborhood of Chicago. The modern design of this tower features a corner of tinted glass, metal paneling and horizontally scored pre-cast panels set atop a glass base with granite accents. The projecting balconies feature a custom designed frosted glass panel railing system and the penthouse unit features a mezzanine leading out to a private roof terrace. 849 North Franklin Street, Chicago, Illinois" description="Known as The Parc Chestnut, this building is located in the River North area of Chicago amidst eclectic galleries, upscale restaurants and new residential developments, this 17-story, 500,000 s.f. new construction project has 261 luxury residential condominium units and many amenity spaces. As part of the planned development, the project includes a 22,000 s.f. park fronting the highly detailed masonry facade of the building. Featuring multiple brick colors, custom limestone, intricate spandrel panels and a grand cornice, the building provides luxury residences in the heart of Chicago's gallery district. 933 West VanBuren Street, Chicago, Illinois" description="This new construction loft project is one of the largest in the growing West Loop neighborhood of Chicago. The 10-story cast in place concrete L-shaped building sits on a block long site and is designed to fit in with the existing masonry loft buildings in the area. Containing 180 residential units with indoor parking in over 330,000 s.f. of space, the building also has a private business center as an amenity for unit owners. The highly articulated masonry facades of brick and limestone are designed with floor to ceiling windows and decorative stainless steel castings highlighting the penthouse setbacks. The penthouse units feature expansive terraces and incredible views of the skyline. 1600 South Indiana Street, Chicago, Illinois" description="This building known as Lakeside Tower is part of the rapidly growing Central Station district of Chicago, this new construction high-rise condominium draws a unique angle against the lakefront skyline. Rising 19 stories with 144 residential units, the building is sited to take advantage of views to the renovated Soldier Field, Lake Michigan and Lake Shore Park beyond. The modern glass building also features a large landscaped plaza and a large private roof top deck. 2358 South Wabash Avenue, Chicago, Illinois" description="This sleek new development is situated in the heart of the burgeoning West Loop residential district. Accented by a series of projecting bays hovering above a landscaped walk, the buildings interesting mixture of forms, colors and materials complement the heavily urban streetscape. The project features a green terrace, private balconies, and a total of 60 spacious units.
Private Residence, Chicago, Illinois" description="The renovation of this existing single-family two story brick home in Chicago's DePaul neighborhood required a complete overhaul. The clients approached HPA with a desire to create a very open and modern space, while retaining the traditional Chicago masonry exterior to maintain continuity along the streetscape. They wanted to use clean, simple finishes and have a focal point or accent piece around which the living spaces could flow. The central custom designed stair of stained wood, steel and drywall, set in an all-white oval shape is the overwhelming focus of the home's interior. The dramatic end result is an independent architectural piece that ties every space and level together, bound by its geometry, clean lines and simple materials. Private Residence, Chicago Illinois" description="This 3,500 s.f. duplex apartment at the top of the high-rise building on Michigan Ave. in Chicago, has been likened to an "art and aerospace museum." This unique residence doubles as a gallery for the client's extensive art collection. The free-form two-story space features a glass and stainless steel elevator painted to the specifications of a Saturn V rocket. Surrounding the atrium is a glass panel railing making all the art at the second level visible from below. This AIA award-winning apartment also has sweeping architectural soffits, curved pocket doors and a sliding art-wall that provides the open bedroom with privacy when needed. The multi-zoned lighting system highlights both the art and the architectural spaces. Private Residence, Lake Beulah, Wisconsin" description="This is a unique custom single-family vacation home sits on the shores of Lake Beulah in southeastern Wisconsin. In over 6,000 s.f. on a sloping site, this house integrates warm, traditional building materials, while using expansive glass offering panoramic views of the lake. By orienting the main body of the building towards the lake and creating a 'spine' from which all rooms flow, the design creates a series of individually shaped spaces with its highlight being a two-story great room that is set askew from the rest of the spine. HPA did custom wood and stone detailing throughout the house in keeping with the owner's desire for a comfortable, yet significant home. Private Residence, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin" description="A 9,000 new construction custom single-family residence sits on a 5-acre site that was a former working farm. Taking its clue from those beginnings, this courtyard home was designed with a main barn-like structure including a large silo with a circular stairway. The front building has an el-addition that creates a private deck and terrace area looking out over a large landscaped court. The interior of the home features exposed wood trusses, stained beadboard ceiling and a central stone fireplace. The loft bedrooms overlook the 2-story great room and there's a large country kitchen and dining room with custom cabinetry. " description="
Groves of Palatine, Palatine, Illinois" description="Sited on a 10.5 acre residential campus centered around a new internal park, this development includes 42 townhouses with 2-car garages and four 60 unit six-story mid rise buildings with multiple gable roofs. HPA did the site planning for the overall development as well as the building design. 1900 North Central Avenue, Chicago, Illinois" description="This 50 acre planned development will transform a century old vacant rail car siding into a vibrant multi-use neighborhood. The project will include a multiplex theater, a training center for union tradesmen and 200 units of housing divided between townhomes, flats and single family residences. The highlight of this new community will be over 2 acres of landscaped greens, walking paths and parks. Killbourn Courts, Chicago, Illinois" description="This development's 116 townhomes on Chicago's West Side form a community on a former factory site. The 4 acres site contains a mixture of newly constructed frame buildings with brick veneer townhomes distinguished by different masonry colors, stone detailing and modern steel clad bays with large expanses of glass. The site design features common area landscaped courtyards and private yards for the individual 2 & 3 bedroom 3-story homes. Lake Shore Cottages, Union Pier, Michigan" description="Nestled in the woods of Union Pier, Michigan is a development for 37 vacation style single-family homes on 7.5 acres. The plan includes 4-separate model homes, with a rustic beach house feel and open floor plans. The development also includes a clubhouse and pool. The Courts of Evanston, Evanston, Illinois" description="This new community of 90 townhomes sits on a former chain grocery store and parking lot. Located on a major artery into Evanston, a suburb just north of Chicago, the buildings form a series of U-shaped landscaped courtyards. Detailed with masonry and limestone, the facades' classic, yet contemporary design, integrates into the traditions of the neighborhood. The 3-story, 3-bedroom townhomes also feature 4th floor decks and ground level landscaped terraces.
900 North North Branch Street, Chicago, Illinois" description="River works, as this mixed-use complex has been coined, is an existing 8-story warehouse in the Goose Island District of Chicago with an attached 3-story annex originally converted for use as the Chicago Headquarters for the Sara Lee Corporation. This adaptive re-use project, which currently houses the culinary program of Kendall College, encompasses 300,000 square feet and includes retail space, parking and a landscaped plaza and river walk. Branch Bank, Oswego, Illinois" description="This prairie-style masonry building is a continuation of the signature design that Bridgeview Bank maintains in its branch buildings. The bank's unique 4,000 square foot design contains a two-story lobby featuring a stone and copper fireplace and custom designed millwork highlighted by transom windows at the buildings perimeter. The exterior masonry is detailed with a coursed ashlar limestone base and stained cedar banding reflecting the soft colors of the surrounding prairie. HPA's interior design reflects Bridgeview Bank's desire to provide clients and employees alike with a warm comfortable environment. Brank Bank Stoney Island, Chicago, Illinois" description="This suburban bank's goal was to create an image for their urban branches in Chicago. H+P's design development combines traditional materials with a clean contemporary facade. The large corner offices have double height ceilings and horizontally accented windows which play off of a series of limestone and brick panels that appear to be floating above the sidewalk. BVB Branch Bank, Chicago, Illinois" description="The owners of this prominent suburban bank wanted to establish a solid, traditional image for their first Chicago branch. Located in the heart of the State of Illinois Armitage Historic District, this 3-story, 7,000 s.f. building is designed according to state landmark guidelines and is highlighted by a large rough-cut limestone base, two-story windows, and recessed masonry banding. The facade also features weathered iron-spot brick and is topped by a slate mansard roof with custom designed copper encased dormers with detailed scrollwork. A primary client goal was to create an interior that evoked a warm community feeling for its customers. The bank lobby is laid out as a custom living room with a 2-story high ceiling and a featured fireplace with a classically trimmed millwork mantle. HPA also designed custom furniture and selected all decorations and fixtures. Elmhurst City Hall, Elmhurst, Illinois" description="This project, a combination of new construction and rehabilitation of an existing 32,000 square foot one-story 1960's insurance building, was undertaken to provide a single home for the various city departments that were being housed in a series of discreet sites. The structure was in need of a complete rehab which including stripping the exterior down to its shell and replacing it with a highly detailed brick and limestone facade. HPA also did the interior design creating the offices and large council chambers. The building was the recipient of an Illinois/Indiana Masonry Council Excellence In Masonry Award. Office Space, Chicago, Illinois" description="This collection of buildings filling a full city block was headquarters to Chicago's largest commercial director. Highlighted by a 3-story 7,500 s.f. main studio, the three buildings contain 50,000 s.f. of new construction and renovation with architecturally dramatic spaces including a sweeping two-story lobby, a hall with 18 foot high windows of glass and steel and a custom cantilevered stainless steel stair. HPA also did a full-range of custom design including furniture, commercial kitchens and editing suites. Office Space, Melrose Park, Illinois" description="This project incorporates an extensive renovation and addition to create a 35,000 square foot office headquarters of one of the nation's largest manufacturers of retail display fixtures. As part of a 1,000,000 s.f. facility in a suburb of Chicago, HPA's re-design included creating a new entry tower topped by a custom designed company logo and a landscaped front approach. The interiors are highlighted by a new two-story sales display area, a 100 foot long glass skylight and custom designed suites housing 100 executives representing a variety of disciplines, including, sales, accounting, engineering, purchasing, and human resources.
2101 North Fremont Street, Chicago, Illinois" description="This 4-story school renovation and addition in Chicago's DePaul neighborhood provides needed classroom space for this rapidly expanding parochial school. Comprised of covered parking, new classrooms and office space, a new gymnasium and a rooftop athletic field, this addition also provides handicapped accessibility to the entire academic complex. Working closely with the building committee and contractors to finalize the design and budget, the entire project was completed over the summer recess so that the academic year would be uninterrupted. St. Clements School, Chicago, Illinois" description="This 4-story school addition in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood provides needed classroom space for this rapidly expanding catholic school. Comprised of covered parking, new classrooms, expanded office space, music facilities and a new gymnasium, this addition also provides handicapped accessibility to the entire academic complex. Working closely with the building committee and contractors to finalize the design and budget, the entire project was completed over the summer recess so that the academic year would be uninterrupted. Starlight Rooms, Hospitals throughout Chicago and Illinois" description="In numerous hospitals throughout the Midwest, HPA has designed custom rooms of The Starlight Children's Foundation Midwest. These recreation spaces used by children confined to hospital stays and their visiting families create an exciting place of refuge in the hospital environment. These themed "Starlight Rooms" as they are referred to, feature designs incorporating bold colors and materials intended to spark the imagination of sick children to encourage play and recuperation. " description="
Retail Complex, Chicago, Illinois" description="Long vacant and open to the elements, this industrial warehouse sat lifeless at the entrance to a vibrant retail corridor in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. After many tried and failed, HPA's design concept made practical the conversion of this derelict 360,000 s.f. of retail, restaurant and commercial space. The construction of a new matching building across the street on a vacant parcel provided a gateway to the businesses beyond as well as providing much needed parking for the congested district. Overall the project has over 290,000 s.f. of high-end retail / restaurant space, a day care center, parking for 250 cars and 45,000 s.f. of office space. Retail Square, Chicago, Illinois" description="The scope of work, for this re-development of a triangular historic building site in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood, included restoration, renovation and new construction. The process involved extensive presentations and negotiations with city officials and neighborhood preservationists. Now known as Uptown Square occupying the former landmark Goldblatts Department Store, the final project created a complex that includes a Border's Bookstore, other retail, indoor parking and 32 loft-style residences. The project is highlighted by the complete restoration of the existing terra cotta facade.
165 North Canal Street, Chicago, Illinois" description="At nearly one million square feet, Randolph Place is one of the largest adaptive re-use conversions in the country. Originally designed by Daniel Burnham, this 16-story former warehouse and office building sits at a bend in the Chicago River affording it incredible views of the skyline and waterway. This mixed-use development has over 330 luxury residential condominium units, indoor parking, a restaurant, offices and a spa. This project was hailed by the Chicago Sun-Times as ''The Loft Project of the Year''. 208 West Washington, Chicago, Illinois" description="Located in the traditionally commercial downtown Loop area of Chicago, this 24-story 700,000 s.f. historic Holabird and Root designed former AT&T office building has been developed into a mixed use complex including 230 residential condominium units, a 3-story indoor parking garage and ground floor retail spaces. As part of the conversion, the original 4-story limestone base was restored as well as the ornamental terra cotta spandrels and statuary decorating the buildings cornice. The building's U-shaped arrangement allows for a landscaped courtyard at the sixth floor highlighted by integral ornamental balconies. 211 North Clinton Street, Chicago, Illinois" description="The historic power station in the Clinton Street district of Chicago once housed coal powered generators providing power to the Metra Electric Line. Long abandoned, this derelict building has been transformed into a commercial office and retail complex. In addition to historic restoration of the buildings masonry and terra cotta exterior, three floors have been inserted into the 5 story interior volume to provide commercial and office space for this rapidly expending riverfront district. 245 Union Boulevard, St. Louis, Missouri" description="Located in the historic West End section of St. Louis, this renovation and addition to 3 existing vintage apartment buildings along Forest Park creates a vibrant residential community. The elegantly modern glass and steel entrance lobby and concierge desk was added to contrast with the historic masonry and terra cotta detailing. This synergy created a focal point for the development linking the historic structures to their amenities including a landscape pool, lawn chess, billiards hall, exercise room, library and ballroom. 606 West Fulton Street, Chicago, Illinois" description="Sited just outside Chicago's Loop, this large-scale adaptive re-use of a former warehouse and China Club discotheque pioneered residential use in this heretofore-industrial neighborhood. The renovation of the existing 6-story heavy timber building into 112 residential units features a new rooftop penthouse addition, indoor parking on two levels and commercial space at the ground floor. The 2-story entry lobby features stone clad walls and a glass and steel enclosed exercise room at the upper level. 1040 West Adams Street, Chicago, Illinois" description="Number Ten lofts covers an entire city block. This adaptive re-use of a heavy timber warehouse posed a unique planning challenge. To meet that challenge, the designers chose to orient many of the units around three existing large light wells and created unique landscaped courtyards. This provides an individual neighborhood feel to this massive complex. With the addition of non-traditional spaces including a screening room, fitness rooms, and private courtyards, amenities are provided which allow residents to meet and socialize. 2107 West Grand Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri" description="This development involves the adaptive re-use and conversion of 3 mid-rise buildings in downtown Kansas City. The centerpiece of this development, the Western Auto Building, a National Historic Register building, features classical terra cotta and brick detailing as well as a 60 ft. high neon sign constructed on the roof in 1952 to advertise the building's primary tenant. The conversion will feature 160 residential units with ground floor commercial spaces, common amenities and parking contained within a heavily landscaped campus. " description="