Chartwell
Life. Styled
INTRODUCTION
Chartwell Homes are Designed for Living and Styled for Life.
A home must reflect both its environment and the homeowner in one perfect narrative.
Chartwell does not just create homes, we create living organisms that occupy an immediate, emotional place in your life. The creation of our homes begins with the rich context of the specific landscape where the home is built. The environment leads to the concept, which leads to execution, and finally — leads you home.
Our homes are inclusively and holistically designed. The details of everyday life have been considered and incorporated so that even the teacups feel cohesive and meaningful. The result is complete, considered, and most importantly, ready for living upon your arrival.
We deliver extraordinary, one-of-a-kind environments in one perfect moment.
Our Homes
OUR HOMES
Chartwell is turning the idea of the “spec house” on its head.
We have redefined and elevated the concept of the turn-key home.
Creating spaces where joy can flourish…
Chartwell delivers uniquely designed, fully curated, and furnished homes that are immediately ready for an elevated lifestyle experience.
Our craft experience spans the arc of high-end home creation, starting with the acquisition of solid-value building sites, well-tuned architecture, thoughtful interior design, and sensitive landscaping.
No cost overruns, no years of endless meetings, no unknowns about what your home will look and feel like. The Chartwell concept is born of a recognition of the value of both your productivity and your leisure time.
We’ve managed the cadres of consultants, handled hundreds of meetings, and made thousands of decisions… so you can start your living experience immediately.
Worldclass Residences
without the worry
OUR PROMISE
Future forward design bolstered by best-in-class craftsmanship for a life well-styled and even better lived.
We find that few experiences rival the thrill of arriving at a new home to find the garden manicured, the pillows fluffed, vases full of flowers, and the candles lit... so in one perfect moment, you can begin to experience life in your new home!
Decades of expertise spent forging new paths within the luxury homes industry have all led to this moment. Our time has been spent meticulously creating immediately enjoyable homes for our clients. Our goal and measure of success, is always to exceed buyers’ expectations and the norms within the industry. Every home we create delivers on unique design, gracefulness, ease of ownership, and long-term value.
“Home should be the backdrop for a well-lived life with friends and family.”
— TOM STRINGER
Our Team
Chartwell is a multi-disciplined, residential development company. Our highly accomplished team of professionals has collectively designed hundreds of exceptional homes. Our strengths include investment management, real estate development, marketing, design, construction, and hospitality.
TOM STRINGER
“Home should be the backdrop for a well-lived life with friends & family.”
Tom’s sophisticated professional style springs from the intersection of his formal training in classical architecture and his passion for exotic travel. Tom is an inveterate traveler and collector. Each year, he visits a new corner of the earth for adventure and inspiration, and in each instance, he filters his experiences through the prism of design. His photo albums reveal his rich sightings like the patterned back of a Spotted Eagle Ray in Fiji, a ballet troupe of sharks circling slowly overhead in the Tuamotus and the tangle of color on a rag trader’s cart in Tangiers. Tom’s travel experiences are embedded in his artistic senses. In this way in his design practice, he too bridges styles and cultures, enriching his projects with unexpected detail.
The same rigorous planning, enthusiasm and joy of discovery Tom brings to his travels he brings to the comfortably glamorous homes he creates—starting with his own. The 19th century Lincoln Park greystone Tom shares with his partner, Scott, and their American Eskimo dog, Tucker, is filled with intriguing Oceanic and African objects along with a breezy mix of modern and antique furnishings. It’s also always filled with friends. Tom renovated his house to create an airy floor plan that entices guests to wander room to room or onto a well-appointed garden terrace. Tom’s design philosophy is that a home should be, above all, the backdrop for a well-lived life with friends and family.
Tom’s passion for discovering great food and unusual wine led to his long-time collaboration with famed chef Grant Achatz on the interiors of Alinea, recognized by many as the finest restaurant in America. The two have gone on to design three more nationally acclaimed projects in Chicago: Next, Aviary and The Office. Tom’s boundless creativity has also given shape to his own line of contemporary upholstered furnishings and hand-tufted carpets, available through TexStyle.
Tom holds a Bachelor’s Degree in design from the College of Architecture and Environmental Design at Arizona State University. His heroes are Richard Diebenkorn for his extraordinary use of color, Albert Hadley for his elegant sense of comfort, and the endlessly adventuresome Jacques Cousteau.
CHRIS HARRIS
“We are in the business of families—everything we make supports that.”
It should come as no surprise that Chris Harris is involved with houses and all the things that make them homes. The arc of his life has led him to this place. As early as five years old, Chris was knocking on the doors of the gracious homes in his southern neighborhood and asking the lady of the house if he could come in to take a look around. He was drawn to the form and structure of these homes. He was curious about the architecture and the interior layouts. Chris observed the unique details, the beautiful moldings, and oriental carpets, the curiosities gathered from around the world.
During these early forays, Chris developed a strong sense of what home meant and what made some homes feel so uniquely warm and inviting. In the intervening years, Chris has honed his eye. He spent twenty-plus years as a partner in a NY-based travel-publishing business. In an ultimate “pay for play” scenario, Chris was tasked with traveling North America, Western Europe, and Asia to seek out the most inspiring hotels and resorts, retail stores with that special edge, restaurants that dazzled their clients with subtle new flavors and decors. He has a special fondness for the creative, the inspired, and scenes and things that evoke wonder and magic. Chris draws inspiration from all these experiences and has woven them into his own homes and the real estate development projects he has undertaken in recent years.
Chris graduated from the University of North Carolina with a BS in Business Administration. He has been peripherally involved in residential and commercial real estate development since the early days of his business career. He has served on the Boards of organizations as diverse as the Italian dinnerware company Vietri to Outward Bound.
Chris is grateful every day that he has been able to meld so many of his passions into a professionally rewarding career. He also treasures the residential clients he has been fortunate to work with, many of whom have gone on to become dear friends. Chris splits his time between New York City and the California desert and is happiest when entertaining his daughter, son-in-law, and close friends on both coasts.
BRENNA BROWN
“The role of the designer is that of a good, thoughtful host anticipating the needs of his guests.” -Charles Eames
Prior to joining Chartwell, Brenna honed her skills as an interior designer at several award-winning residential and hospitality firms in Chicago and Seattle, where she designed interiors for private residences, boutique hotels, restaurants, spas, and casinos throughout the US, Canada, and Europe.
In addition to enjoying and thriving in the creative facets of the industry, Brenna also used her analytical side working as a Business Manager for multiple design firms for four years. She now leverages her combined creative and business experience to ensure that the interiors she creates are not only beautiful but that all deadlines and budgets are strictly met.
Brenna grew up about one hour west of Chicago where, as a child, she participated in every type of arts+crafts activity or class you can imagine from painting, pottery, photography, drawing, sculpting, and more. This love of art eventually grew into an interest in interior design. Brenna obtained her BFA from Harrington College of Design (Chicago). She continues to draw inspiration from all things creative including art, fashion, architecture, and films.
Brenna’s two children keep her active with a plethora of activities and sports. In her free-time, Brenna can usually be found searching for treasures at flea markets, volunteering, or on the tennis court. As a mother with young children, Brenna know the importance of being able to really LIVE IN the spaces that are created. Her design philosophy is always to create elegant yet comfortable spaces that seamlessly combine functionality and beauty. She enjoys creating well-curated interiors by mixing high and low elements as well as classic, traditional pieces with contemporary and modern touches.
Join Chartwell
Ways to Engage
Whether looking for a property or looking to become part of the Chartwell family, we see our partnerships as unique and as differentiated as we see our homes. The only thing greater than our creativity is our possibility.
Homes Styled for Life, today
A home that seems impossibly made for you. All that’s missing is you. A Chartwell home is complete beyond what even the industry expects. Life can begin without interruption the moment you open the door.
Bespoke Interiors
Your unique vision brought to life by our sister company, Tom Stringer Design Partners. Custom interiors for discerning homeowners.
Investors
Strategic opportunities with steady yields in a real estate niche rarely accessed by individual investors.
Contact us.
919 N. Michigan Ave, Suite 320, Chicago, IL 60611
E-Mail: c.harris@chartwelldesigngroup.com
Phone: 877-897-3977