Reimagining Sub-Acute Care


Warren Barr North Shore

Location
Highland Park, IL
Category
Healthcare

ML Group’s design and construction expertise transformed Warren Barr North Shore into a premier inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF), redefining sub-acute care with a blend of high-end hospitality and advanced healthcare design. Following the success of Warren Barr Gold Coast, this project expanded the brand’s signature approach while adapting to the unique characteristics of Highland Park, one of Chicago’s most affluent suburbs. The comprehensive renovation included 107 private patient rooms, a modernized lobby, a cutting-edge physical therapy gym, and enhanced common areas, all designed to elevate the patient experience. Through our integrated approach to design, construction, and interiors, ML Group delivered a facility that not only meets the highest standards of care but also seamlessly fits into its suburban surroundings.

Strategic Vision: Aligning Development & Healthcare Needs

At ML Group, every project begins with a deep understanding of both operational and market needs. With sub-acute care evolving rapidly, our team strategically aligned Warren Barr North Shore’s redesign with the latest healthcare trends and patient expectations. Recognizing the differences between Highland Park and Gold Coast, we tailored the facility’s aesthetic and functional approach to better suit its suburban setting, ensuring an environment that would resonate with short-term rehabilitation patients and healthcare providers alike.

Designing for Care & Comfort

Merging high-end hospitality with inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) design, our team created a space that fosters healing while providing the comfort of a luxury environment. A warm and sophisticated material palette was selected to complement the existing architecture, balancing contemporary elegance with a welcoming atmosphere. The interiors of the renovated patient rooms and common areas were designed to offer a refined residential feel, while the upgraded therapy gym integrates cutting-edge rehabilitation technology to support patient recovery. Every design decision was made with patient well-being, staff efficiency, and operational functionality in mind.

Executing a Seamless Transformation

Delivering a renovation of this scale in an operational sub-acute care environment required precision planning and phased construction. ML Group’s construction management team ensured minimal disruption to daily operations while efficiently executing the upgrades. With a streamlined design-build approach, we shortened project timelines and provided cost certainty, ensuring Warren Barr North Shore was completed on schedule and to the highest standard.

A Model of ML Group’s Integrated Process

Warren Barr North Shore is a testament to ML Group’s fully integrated design and construction process. By providing architecture, interior design, construction management, and asset management under one umbrella, we delivered a cohesive and efficient project from concept to completion. Our process prioritizes alignment between design and construction, allowing us to anticipate challenges, optimize costs, and accelerate project delivery. The result is a renovated healthcare facility that enhances both patient experience and operational performance—proving once again that our integrated approach sets new standards for sub-acute care environments.