LoadingEngineering solutions that shapeour communities
Lake Forest, Illinois.
Since 1945
Our Services
Full scope from planning through construction.
Civil Engineering
Site design, grading, drainage, and utilities for municipal, institutional, and commercial projects. Our civil engineering team brings decades of experience delivering infrastructure that communities depend on.
Learn more01Civil Engineering
Site design, grading, drainage, and utilities for municipal, institutional, and commercial projects. Our civil engineering team brings decades of experience delivering infrastructure that communities depend on.
02Land Surveying
In-house survey staff providing boundary surveys, ALTA/NSPS land title surveys, and construction staking. Precision data collection ensures every project starts on solid ground.
03Construction Management
One project manager from start to finish for scheduling, budget oversight, bidding, and procurement. We keep projects on track and stakeholders informed at every milestone.
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04Design Build
Streamlined delivery from design through construction, reducing schedule and costs with single-source accountability. One team, one vision, from concept to completion.
Featured Work
Selected projects across healthcare, municipal, and commercial development.
USDA – National Nursery System Optimization Planning
Providing master planning services to prepare the U.S. Forest Service for the future and meet REPLANT Act targets. The project focuses on optimizing 8 nursery and seed extractory locations across the United States to support planting 1.2 billion trees.
View projectUSDA – National Nursery System Optimization Planning
Providing master planning services to prepare the U.S. Forest Service for the future and meet REPLANT Act targets. The project focuses on optimizing 8 nursery and seed extractory locations across the United States to support planting 1.2 billion trees.
Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital – Campus Revitalization
Bleck Engineering provided civil engineering services for a 160-acre campus featuring a new 483,500 square foot state-of-the-art hospital. The project integrated medical care with health and wellness through walking and biking trails and community spaces.
McKinley Condominium Development
The **McKinley Condominium Residences** are a collection of premier downtown Lake Forest homes offering luxury living just steps from local dining, shops, parks, and commuter transit. Project Highlights 725 North McKinley Road: Phase 1 2018. 14 unit condominium 705 North McKinley Road: Phase 2 2020. 6 unit condominium building 711 North McKinley Road: Phase 3 2024. 6 unit condominium 363 Westminster: Phase 4 2025. Single Family Home 375 Westminster: Phase 5 2026. Single Family Home Additional Features Prime downtown Lake Forest location with unsurpassed walkability Strong neighborhood character with easy access to shops, restaurants, and transit Architectural coordination with the surrounding context These McKinley addresses represent a range of condominium living options within Lake Forest's lively downtown — from boutique multi-unit residences to smaller upscale buildings offering exceptional proximity to community amenities.
Forest Park Master Plan Implementation
The City of Lake Forest adopted a comprehensive Forest Park Master Plan prepared by **Stephen Stimson Associates** to restore, enhance, and preserve the City's preeminent park. Originally founded in 1856 by the City's original planner, **Almerin Hotchkiss**, Forest Park was established as Lake Forest's first conserved open space and envisioned as a natural resource for passive enjoyment. In 1896, landscape architect **O.C. Simonds** further shaped the park through a formal planning effort. The Master Plan serves as a long-term guide for park improvements, honoring the historic legacy of Hotchkiss and Simonds while addressing modern needs for accessibility, environmental stewardship, and passive recreation. Bleck Engineering prepared civil engineering construction documents for the **37-acre park** in support of the Master Plan's vision and goals. Construction began in 2013, and Forest Park reopened to the public in 2014. Environmental stewardship was central to the project, as the park drains directly to **Lake Michigan**. Improvements focused on reducing impervious surfaces, enhancing stormwater treatment, restoring native landscapes, and realigning walking paths and roadways to create improved circulation and new vistas from the tableland toward the lake.
Kelmscott Park
Kelmscott Park is a thoughtfully planned mixed-use residential development near the Central Business District of Lake Forest, Illinois. Redeveloped on the former City of Lake Forest Public Works site, the project transformed municipal land into a vibrant, walkable neighborhood that supports the city's long-term vision for downtown reinvestment. The development delivers **164 residential units**, including three apartment buildings with **110 luxury apartments and underground parking**, two condominium buildings with **42 residences with underground parking**, and **12 single-family homes**. This diverse mix of housing types creates a balanced residential community while remaining fully compatible with the architectural character and scale of Lake Forest. The project incorporates **underground parking structures** to support residential density while minimizing visual impacts and enhancing the pedestrian experience. A prominent corner of the site was preserved as public open space—now known as **Franklin Park**—providing a meaningful community amenity and reinforcing the project's commitment to placemaking. The project also preserved a majestic 54" swamp white oak dating back to prior to the incorporation of the City of Lake Forest in 1860. With direct access to downtown amenities, transit, and local services, Kelmscott Park exemplifies successful urban infill redevelopment. The **final condominium phase was completed in 2025**, marking the full realization of a carefully phased, mixed-use neighborhood that strengthens the fabric of downtown Lake Forest.
Lake Forest Academy Field Improvements
Bleck Engineering was retained by **Lake Forest Academy** to evaluate and improve athletic field conditions after recurring flooding of existing natural turf fields resulted in frequent game and practice cancellations. Following a feasibility study, Bleck prepared construction documents for a **3.5-acre multipurpose synthetic turf athletic field** designed to improve playability and meet all applicable water quality and stormwater runoff requirements. The project replaced natural turf with a high-performance field system that allows teams to practice and compete almost immediately after rain events—eliminating the multi-day downtime previously experienced. The design supported fundraising and approval efforts by providing a shovel-ready project for the school board. Constructed in the summer of 2018, the new athletic complex features **six NFHS-compliant fields**, including: 2 field hockey fields 1 boys lacrosse field 1 girls lacrosse field 1 softball field 1 soccer field The field was completed in time for use at the start of the 2018–2019 school year.