textfield=Creative Designs, located at 5868 N. Broadway and 4355 N. Ravenswood in Chicago, was founded in 1976 by Ibrahim Shihadeh. Born in Palestine, Mr. Shihadeh immigrated to the United States to continue his college education. While attending classes, he worked full-time to pay his tuition and was graduated in 1973 with a Bachelor's degree in structural engineering; he considers this to be his highest achievement.
The company's initial focus was as a custom home restorer specializing in room additions and vintage home restorations. Beautiful design work and a meticulous attention to detail enabled him to cultivate an impressive list of clientele including many numerous media personalities.
Many of Creative Designs' signature kitchens feature custom Italian design components. As a result, the company has developed a number of unique supplier relationships and has expanded operations to importing, warehousing and distributing Italian kitchen and bath cabinetry. With its own millwork shop, a full time construction staff led by John Rios with over three decades of construction management, on-site supervisor Edrees Shihadeh and long term associations with dedicated subcontractors, Creative Designs has grown into a significant presence in community development.
Creative Designs has received numerous awards for its contributions in improving the communities where they have built. They include the Spirit of Rogers Park Award and the Good Neighbor Award from the Chicago Association of Realtors; Mr. Shihadeh was recently honored with a Certificate of Congratulations from the Illinois House of Representatives.
In addition to owning and managing over 850 rental apartments, the company is continuously acquiring additional properties and developing condominium communities - Listed below are some in-progress and completed developments by Creative Designs:
- 111 S. Morgan, Chicago; 165 unit new construction condominium community.
- Crain Street Commons; 12 new construction town homes in Evanston.
- Dover/Wilson; 19 vintage condominium conversion in Chicago's Sheridan Park.
- 807 Church Street, The former Marshall Field Building; "Galleria", 56 condominium homes in downtown Evanston.
- 134-147 Clyde, Evanston; 23-unit vintage condominium conversion.
- 1304-1310 N. Carmen, Chicago; 12-unit vintage condominium conversion.
- 319-321 Custer, Evanston; 13-unit vintage condominium conversion.
- Arthur and Seeley, Chicago; 17-unit vintage condominium conversion in West Rogers Park.
Creative Designs' new offices, a spacious showroom and a 30,000 square foot warehouse with wood and steel shops are scheduled for completion this fall on Chicago's north side.