About Magellan

Magellan develops environmentally-sensitive urban communities that combine innovative architectural design with high-quality construction.

Along with creating trend-setting Chicago developments appropriate for both residents and commercial clients, Magellan — one of the most reputable Chicago residential developers in the industry — seeks to enrich its communities with amenities that meet civic and municipal objectives. In addition, Magellan is committed to ensuring that the design and construction of every building include environmentally-sensitive processes and practices that are LEED-certified.

Magellan Development Group has established a reputation as a prolific and accomplished developer. The company’s focus has been high-rise residential and mixed-use projects and its principals, co-CEOs Joel Carlins and James Loewenberg and President David Carlins, have completed 25 projects totaling more than 7,700 residential units, more than 517,000 square feet of commercial space and received over 60 award for excellence within the past 22 years. Since its inception on February 27, 1996, Magellan Development Group has successfully financed more than $3 billion of residential, mixed-use, and commercial projects. Magellan and its affiliates have designed and developed a wide variety of other projects including commercial, institutional, government, educational, hospital and transportation projects. Magellan goes beyond designing and creating residential developments by transforming and energizing neighborhoods. Chicago’s River North and the Gold Coast neighborhoods are thriving today because of the impact of Magellan’s residential developments. The vision for Lakeshore East is transforming a difficult and complex site into a new $4 billion, 28-acre neighborhood planned for 4,950 residential units and a 6-acre park. The Lakeshore East master plan has won many awards including the distinguished AIA Planned Community Award and the FIABCI Prix d’ Excellence Award by the International Real Estate Federation.

Magellan Facts

  • Headquarters: Chicago, IL
  • Employees: 125
  • LEED Expertise: First residential silver leed building in the Midwest, 340 on the Park
  • Tallest Building: Vista Residences will be the 3rd tallest in Chicago at 101 Stories


Magellan’s success is a result of the company’s vision, the insistence on quality design, construction, and materials, and the choice of renowned architects, landscape designers and construction companies. Approaching business with trust and respect has resulted in productive long-term relationships with partners, lenders, contractors, consultants, and City of Chicago agencies. Magellan continues to set new standards for neighborhoods, environmentally-sensitive residential buildings and individual unit design for the 21st century. It is a stunning new reality that has captured the imagination of residents.

Magellan also has a number of affiliated companies, including Magellan Property Management, Magellan Project Services, Magellan Realty, Magellan Investment Partners and Joel M. Carlins & Associates.