Tenant-focused convenience
Tenants book and manage their own bays—no permits, spreadsheets, or back-and-forth.
Income before full lease-up
Empty bays were listed for other Urban Innovations tenants nearby to use, turning parking into a revenue stream from day one.
No parking staff
Automated access replaced manual management, cutting costs and hassle.
A better first impression
Smooth, secure parking helped position 311 W Huron as a premium, well-run asset.
For 40+ years, Urban Innovations has transformed historic buildings throughout Chicago’s River North neighborhood into inspiring workplaces people love.
Urban Innovations builds more than offices —they create experiences tenants and visitors remember. Their latest project, 311 W Huron, is something else entirely.
This 15-story ground-up development is more than just another Class A office building, it’s a masterclass in creating destination-worthy workplaces. From convenient amenities like conference facilities, a penthouse roof deck, lounge, fitness center, and yoga studio, to a seamless, tech-enabled arrival from the moment you enter the garage, every detail is thoughtfully designed.
And the unexpected standout? Parking.
In today’s market, amenities are not optional, they’re the difference between rapid lease-ups and losing tenants to the building next door. And at 311 W Huron, even the parking is designed to impress.
Joi Harrell, Head of Property Management, Urban Innovations.
High-value tenants with an eye for excellence expect a premium experience the second they arrive. An overcrowded or poorly managed garage creates frustration before they even reach the lobby.
Joi had seen the old-school ways: manual permits, daily space shortages, frustrated tenants, and endless admin.
Relying on uncontrolled garage remotes or hiring a full-time parking attendant would have added complexity and cost, but that model is inefficient, rigid, and wasn’t going to cut it at 311 W Huron.
Parking needed to be:
Urban Innovations explored several providers but chose Parkable, a system that transforms parking into both a strategic amenity and a financial asset.
How it works:
“Parkable gives our tenants real autonomy—allowing them to manage and reassign parking as needed without going through us. That kind of self-service is exactly what modern tenants expect. We’re committed to delivering a top-tier experience, and that means embracing technology that’s efficient and ensures fair access. With Parkable, tenants reserve parking in advance and know exactly where they’ll be parking before they arrive.”
Joi Harrell, Head of Property Management, Urban Innovations.
Additional Parkable goodness:
Bonus: As building occupancy grows, Urban Innovations continues to maximize garage utilization by offering available spaces to nearby tenants in Urban Innovations managed properties without dedicated parking, transforming underused capacity into consistent revenue.
Joi Harrell, Head of Property Management, Urban Innovations
311 W Huron is more than just a striking building, it’s a testament to how thoughtful parking solutions can enhance tenant experience and drive real value.
Tenants love the autonomy of booking, sharing, and re-allocating their own spaces without needing to go through building management. A seamless experience gives brokers a major advantage on lease-up tours. And even before full lease-up, parking pulls its weight converting unused space into revenue.
With automation streamlining operations, Urban Innovations avoided the cost and complexity of traditional valet or staffed solutions.
Final thought: In commercial real estate, small details drive big results. Urban Innovations transformed parking from a functional necessity into a powerful retention tool, boosting revenue, elevating tenant satisfaction, and reinforcing their commitment to thoughtful design.