Fitzgerald Associates Architects history

When the Hotel Surfridge (now the Willows Hotel) was built by Rissman & Hirschfeld in 1924, the residential hotel had to fit into a long and narrow lot at 555 West Surf Street.

In 1927, a group of ambitious investors purchased a significant part of the one at Milwaukee, Diversey, and Kimball and brought in Rissman & Hirschfeld to create a major commercial center.

Following the premature death of Maurice Rissman in 1942, the firm would go by “Leo S. Hirschfeld” for the time being.

Also, in 1950 Martin Reinheimer (right) joins the firm.

In 1961, Martin Reinheimer becomes a partner in Hirschfeld & Pawlan’s firm.

In 1968, Reinheimer was at the helm since Hirschfeld had mostly retired by this time, and Pawlan had left the company–though he still collaborated with his old firm on some projects that he designed which needed technical support.

1982 brought the completion of Doral Plaza at 151 North Michigan Avenue – the first project worked on by a young intern architect, Pat FitzGerald.

After six years as Reinheimer’s employee, Pat FitzGerald was made a partner in his mentor’s business in 1984 and the firm pursued new work in Lincoln Park and Lakeview–two neighborhoods experiencing a wave of new development.

Well known visitors to the hotel included Presidents Kennedy and NIxon, Muhammad Ali and Daryl Hannah. It was restored in 1999 by Millennium Hotels.

In 2000, FitzGerald moved its offices to its current location at 912 West Lake Street.

In 2016 the hotel was demolished, but the facade was saved and 18 story glass tower was constructed in the back.