Established in 1936, Abt Electronics is one of the nation'sleading independent retailers of consumer electronics andappliances.

According to Bob Taylor, director of operations for thefamily-owned business, the firm has literally run out of space atits existing 130,000 sf building on Waukegan Road in north suburbanMorton Grove. "Although Abt has only occupied our present MortonGrove building since 1990, we previously added 50,000 sf in 1996and have outgrown the expanded facility just four years later. Thenew building has more than adequate square footage to accommodateour needs for many years, and the site is large enough to allow usto enlarge the building as necessary in the future." Constructionis planned for September 2001.

Designed by Karl Heitman, president, Heitman Architects, thebuilding's facade facing Milwaukee Avenue is distinguished by atwo-story glass entry, multiple dormers, decorative carriage lightsand clerestory windows. Immediately inside the foyer is Abt's58,000-sf showroom, which connects to a columned courtyard with atwo-story skylit atrium. The courtyard will contain special salesvignettes displaying state-of-the-art home entertainment andupscale kitchen products.