Booming Calamos Investments Expands Chicago Presence

Leading global asset manager Calamos Investments’ expansion to Chicago’s vibrant Fulton Market area offers employees and clients a safe and affluent work environment beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

The multi year lease was signed for the top floors of Fulton East, one of the safest post-Covid office buildings in the country, which will host up to 100 people, President and CEO John Koudounis announced on Tuesday. The newest downtown location, an addition to the firm’s headquarters campus in Naperville, was strategically chosen to diversify access to the city, potential clients and business partners.

The office includes flex space, meeting and event space for leadership, employees and global clients and features leading-edge products designed to mitigate the threat of COVID-19. 

“We selected Fulton East in part because it was designed as one of the safest post-Covid office buildings in the country,” Koudounis said. “Our new location in such a dynamic area of Chicago will be a showcase that will help position Calamos for the future.” 

New Technology Promotes a Healthy Workplace

Fulton East, at 12 stories and 90,000 square feet, is the nation’s first next-generation office building designed to accommodate a post-COVID-19 environment.

Fulton East features new age technologies made to maintain optimal safety, such as Canada-based MAD Elevator Inc.’s new Toe-To-Go (T2G) hands-free elevator system. AirPHX (“air fix”), a non-thermal, plasma technology, will also help reduce cross-contamination risks by killing 90-99% of germs in the air and across all work surfaces.  

“We are honored to welcome Calamos Investments, one of our nation’s leading investment management firms, to Fulton East,” Bob Wislow, CEO of Parkside Realty, Inc. the developer of Fulton East, said.

“Our design decisions are validated when a global financial leader like Calamos recognizes the unique benefits provided by Fulton East, where innovative technology and biophilic design in an outstanding Chicago location creates a Class A office environment that prioritizes health, wellness, comfort and productivity for our tenants’ employees.”

Fulton East also offers large outdoor balconies, providing fresh air to employees and 360-degree views of Downtown Chicago, as well as floor to ceiling Low-E glass windows meant to benefit the health and performance of employees by means of a high sunlight ratio.

“Founder John Calamos and I are both native Chicagoans and we are committed to the growth and success of our city, especially as we move beyond the pandemic,” Koudounis said. 

Koudounis, who roughly doubled the firm’s AUM to over €30 billion ($37 billion) during his tenure, is also Founder of the Chicago CEO COVID-19 Coalition. Koudounis united Chicago business leaders in a campaign for COVID-19 relief, raising €1.2 million ($1.5 million) for charities via the Calamos “Sweet Home Chicago” telethon. 

Calamos Strengthens Chicago Roots

Calamos was founded in 1977 and has continued to specialize in risk-management and investing in convertible securities and liquid alternatives. Clients include major corporations, pension funds, endowments, foundations and individuals, along with their financial advisors and consultants. 

“We look forward to deepening our ability to access and leverage the great synergies that Chicago has to offer as we roll out and debut our unique, innovative and unrivaled fund strategies, enabling us to continue to flourish across our businesses,” Calamos Founder and Chairman John P. Calamos, Sr said. 

Calamos, which began on Michigan Avenue in Chicago, is a lead sponsor of the Chicago Bulls. The firm is the first company to have its logo on the stadium floor. While Calamos also has offices in New York, San Francisco, Milwaukee and the Miami area, continuing to strengthen roots in Chicago is a long-time priority for the firm. 

“I want to thank Calamos for committing to Chicago’s future growth and economic success,” Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said. “It’s companies like them that continue to strategically make their business in our city because of its diverse workforce and talent, ease of doing business, access to global markets, and commitment to driving inclusive, equitable economic development.”