High-End Halsted Haven

Investment: $55,000-$65,000

Photographer: Grace Juracka

Location: North Halsted

High-End Halsted Haven

In Chicago’s high-end residential construction market, the path from a visionary design to a finished masterpiece is built on technical precision. At Areté Renovators, our role as the general contractor is to be the master integrator. We coordinate the structural, mechanical, and artisanal elements required to bring a complex environment to life. This recent primary suite transformation on North Halsted is a definitive example of that synergy.

A project of this caliber is never a solo effort. It is a highly synchronized collaboration between our construction team and premier trade partners. For this suite, we worked in close coordination with BauTeam Chicago, whose precision-engineered cabinetry and millwork systems provided the architectural “skin” for our structural build. Together, we moved beyond the traditional boundaries of a bedroom to engineer a space defined by high-performance materials and hidden luxury.

Engineering the Architectural Focal Point

The centerpiece of the renovation is a multi-component media and fireplace installation that required rigorous structural coordination. Our team was tasked with the precise installation of a Planika Prime Fire 990+. This is a high-end, ventless bio-ethanol burner that provides the ambiance of a real flame without the need for traditional flues.

To house this unit safely and elegantly, the construction involved several intricate steps.

• Structural Framing & Fireproofing: We engineered a reinforced cavity for the fireplace and a recessed niche for a 65” television. Our team ensured all clearances met strict fire safety and heat dissipation standards.
• The Calacatta Viola Installation: The design features heavy-veined Calacatta Viola marble with a polished finish. We executed the installation of the mitered fireplace surround, the matching hearth, and a full-height backsplash. Our stone setters focused on “book-matching” the dramatic purple and plum veining so it flowed naturally across every mitered edge. This creates the appearance of a solid, monolithic block of stone.

Precision Millwork and Custom Finishes

While our team managed the structural “bones” of the room, the sophisticated aesthetic was realized through the integration of world-class cabinetry systems. These components allowed us to achieve a level of fit and finish that standard millwork cannot match.

The Fluted Verticality

Above the stone, we installed surfaced fluted wood panels. Finished in a deep Truffle stain on Oak, these panels provide a rhythmic, tactile texture that serves a dual purpose. It creates a sophisticated visual backdrop and offers superior acoustic dampening for the suite.

Our finish carpenters worked meticulously to ensure the transition between the fluted panels and our custom-built drywall niches was seamless. Every vertical groove had to be perfectly plumb. This created a flush, “built-in” look that hides the television mounting hardware and integrated cabling. To crown the installation, we integrated a matching Truffle Oak ceiling soffit. This required precise overhead framing to support the weight of the panels while housing the recessed lighting that illuminates the marble below.

Hidden Utility The Apothecary Wing

True luxury often lies in the “unseen.” Hidden within the custom millwork is a functional cabinet wing. We utilized Blum soft-close hinges and touch-latch mechanisms to allow the heavy, stone-clad doors to operate with effortless ease. The interiors are finished in a refined Pueblo-textured laminate. This provides a durable and elegant home for linens and apothecary essentials.

The Boutique Dressing Experience

The transition into the walk-in closet represents a shift toward a moody, gallery-inspired aesthetic. This space was built using high-performance Graphite-finished cabinetry, creating a sophisticated, high-contrast environment.

The technical complexity of the closet build centered on the electrical infrastructure. We integrated a Häfele Loox LED lighting system, which required thoughtful planning.

• Illuminated Hanging Rods: We installed slim LED strips embedded directly into the garment rails. This provides top-down illumination that makes it easy to distinguish between subtle color tones in the wardrobe.
• Integrated Sensors: The entire lighting array is tied to automatic sensors. This ensures the space glows to life the moment the door is opened.
• Precision Shelving: The open shelving for footwear and knits was installed with concealed hardware. This maintains the clean, minimalist lines that define a premium dressing room.

The Technical Layer Lighting and Climate

Beyond the millwork and stone, the “bones” of this renovation involved a complete overhaul of the suite’s mechanical and electrical systems. Our electrical team wired three distinct layers of light to allow for total mood control.

• Ambient: Slim-profile recessed “can” lights in the ceiling provide general illumination.
• Task: The integrated Loox LED strips in the closet and the hidden apothecary offer focused light.
• Accent: A hidden LED tape light installed behind a custom wood valance above the marble backsplash creates a soft “wash” that highlights the crystalline structure of the Calacatta Viola.

To ensure the room remains as comfortable as it is beautiful, we integrated discreet linear slot diffusers for the HVAC system. By moving away from standard grilles, we maintained the clean lines of the ceiling plane. The mechanical elements do not distract from the architectural beauty of the space.

High-Fidelity Finishes and Hardware

Every material chosen for this project was selected for its longevity and tactile quality. Our construction team managed a variety of high-end installations to tie the room together, including 6” White Oak Plank flooring with a sound-damping underlayment and high-performance Blum and Häfele hardware.

An Areté Sanctuary Built on Precision

At Areté Renovators, our philosophy is that a home is only as good as the craft behind its walls. This North Halsted transformation is a testament to what is possible when expert general contracting meets world-class partners like BauTeam Chicago.

The success of this primary suite is found in the silence of the soft-close drawers, the perfect 45-degree miter of the Calacatta marble, and the way the light catches the fluted oak at sunset. It is a space built for the long term, constructed with the precision and intentionality that Chicago’s most discerning homeowners expect.

Are you planning a renovation that requires high-level technical execution and premium finishes?

Our team has the experience to build your vision to an exacting standard. Call us at 773.683.3033 or contact us today to begin your own renovation journey. Let us show you how the right construction partner can turn a design concept into a lifelong sanctuary.