In a market that has allowed the city to approve over 200 condo projects in the downtown area alone, how do we choose our future homes? The standard of building has in fact improved over the past few years. Granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and hardwood floors are not only common, but also expected by growingly particular clients. Furthermore, with so much supply, developers are constantly thinking of new incentives to offer their potential buyers as well as their realtor representatives. Large bonuses, free parking, and upgrade allowances are becoming more frequent. Still, these condo homes seem to be so similar that buyers are often overwhelmed with choice.

Developers are feeling more and more pressure to offer these "extras" in order to sell units faster than the competition. Still, there are some who truly believe in their product and, therefore, do not give in to the pressure to give away freebies. One such optimist is Thomas Roszak, of Roszak/ADC. Having launched a successful architecture and development firm, Roszak is calm and confident about the future of the market as well as the product he delivers. I sat down with him in his ultra-modern Evanston office to discuss the company's beginnings and the successful progression that has made it a recognizable name in real estate design, development, and execution.

Having known that he wanted to become an architect since the fifth grade, Roszak received his degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology. He saw architecture as "the marriage of art and technology" and wanted to master the craft. Early influences, such as Mies van der Rohe, caused him to concentrate on modern building techniques, predominantly utilizing glass and steel. Roszak worked for two firms before branching out on his own. Both jobs exposed him to architecture as well as development and construction. After sharpening his knowledge of the planning process and every phase of building, he formed Roszak/ADC in 1996 (ADC stands for the 3 specialties of Architecture, Development, and Construction).

Roszak's biggest challenge, as he saw it, was obtaining financing. However, he was able to raise $500,000 of seed money and obtain a loan from a large bank. He began by building 6-unit condo projects in Chicago and steadily increased the scope of projects from there. By becoming a reputable developer and proving his credibility as a trustworthy businessman, Roszak was well on his way to achieving his goal of building large, ultra-modern high-rises. Although his company was involved in all steps of the building process, Roszak eventually outsourced marketing and sales to Cushman/Amberg Communications and TR Realty Workshop, respectively.

Says Roszak of the autonomy of running his own business, "we knew what we wanted, we knew what it would cost, and we were in control." He embraced Downtown's rapid transformation into an architecturally modern city and began to design bigger and more prominent projects-ones that would solidify his reputation as a visionary architect and builder. His goal was to "be efficient with the materials and construct to benefit the user." "We spend a lot of time with the design," he reflects. "We like to approach [every project] from a practical standpoint [and] really make it simple, minimal, and beautiful."

One of Roszak/ADC's current projects, the Vetro (www.vetrochicago.com), displays just that. Located in the South Loop and standing 31 stories and offering 233 condos, the

 project exemplifies Roszak's philosophy. This modern high rise has a glass exterior, which maximizes light, views, and space. Scheduled for completion by the fall of 2007, the Vetro not only offers its residents spacious layouts and unique amenities (including a spa room, a community media center, and a sundeck), but also inhabits a thriving area that is awaiting about 10,000 units in the next five years. "The South Loop is the fastest growing area in the city," he adds. Clearly, the potential for appreciation as well as the project's proximity to the city's financial district, parks, museums, and theater district make it a logical investment.

Meanwhile, in Evanston, another Roszak/ADC project is in its third phase of construction. The Sienna, a 4 building, 220-condo and 17-townhome development, showcases the company's vision of aesthetic simplicity. Surrounded by vast European courtyards and landscaping, the project will result in a futuristic but intimate community with a reputation of prestige. This anticipated residential project is the largest ever undertaken in Evanston.

Roszak/ADC's project in Mesa, Arizona, name the Fiesta Towers, is generating considerable buzz. The project, which includes 4 buildings and is approved for 540-850 units, will break ground at the end of this year. After completing a six-month rezoning process, Roszak aims to revitalize the Fiesta Quadrant area of the city, which includes two hospitals and a large shopping center. The project, which will cost $400 million, will hopefully serve as a springboard for future developments.

In addition to staying extremely busy between his projects in Chicago and Arizona, Roszak has also written two books, one about his prized family home and the other about his first 16 development projects in the business. His state-of-the-art home has also been featured in Architectural Digest, and his innovative designs have resulted in two publications highlighting his work. IIT has also shown interest in using one of his books in the school's architecture courses.

So what does this avid skier and traveler believe differentiates him from his competition? "Design and customer service.and the highest standard of building." In fact, many of Roszak's clients are repeat buyers. The company benefits from their word-of-mouth recommendations.

Rising interest rates and reports of over-supply in the condo market don't trouble Roszak too much. According to him, it all comes down to execution. As long as Roszak/ADC sticks to what it does best (designing and building unique and high-quality projects), Roszak believes that the firm will continue to be successful in all market environments.