Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Fritz.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Heather. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I kinda fell into interior design by way of photography. Seven years ago, I was given a chance to utilize my creative skills and with a background in merchandising, marketing and photography started space planning and developing a real estate brand, FLATS. Today, I am proud to show off projects like the Lawrence House and the Bush Temple, multi-family buildings whose lobbies are open to the public. Everything from the interiors, to the scent, to the brand are built around creating a sense of community both for the residents and the neighborhood.
Has it been a smooth road?
Being self-taught, I certainly cannot say it has always been easy, but anything you are passionate about seldom is. About a year into the completion of the Lawrence House, Jay Michael, co-founder of CEDARst passed away at 34. He was such a force and someone I am so thankful to have learned so much from and with, but what amplified the loss was opening that building without him. I was suddenly on an island. I had lost my sounding board and tastemaker. We had a plan, but had bought nothing to fill the over 20,000 sq-ft of amenity spaces, beyond a set of five chairs from a thrift store and this amazing locally made light fixture that we knew had to be over the bar. It was daunting, but also really rewarding to complete. During install, one week before we would open this building to the public (which by the way had an over 1500 person attendance). I had a moment where I knew he was proud and happy with what I had pulled off. A historic renovation with interiors that both spoke to the past and invite you in to the present.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with CEDARst – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
CEDARst is an integrated real estate development company founded in Chicago. I was brought in, in the early days to assist their leasing director on the marketing side. At that time there were about seven of us, there are over seventy people now! I specialize in interiors and marketing, but wear a variety of hats for the company. We are known for the FLATS brand, an apartment community.
The brand is what sets us apart. The way it looks, feels, smells… every building is a part of the family, but just like a family, every member is different. Every building has a history and the interiors help tell their story. We do a lot of historic work, which is always really fun to go in and get the vibe the building has and work from that. Saving these old buildings and preserving the architecture of the city is a pleasure.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Chicago is like a small town in a lot of ways, it just takes longer to get around. I love all of the different neighborhoods and their individual offerings, it is a really fun city to explore. I have been here for 13 years and still discover new things. And the food, right!
Getting in and out of the city can be a real drag though. I love getting out into nature and MI and WI are so close but it can be real easy to just stay in, when it takes an hour to get either direction down I-90 before you feel like you are really on your way.
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
