Chandler Anderson, 38

By Barbara Connors

Bringing 100-year-old buildings back to life, beauty and usefulness has been Chandler Anderson’s passion since his move back to Rockford in 1991.

The vision and drive of the 38-yearold owner of Icon Development Group has led to the resurgence of a lively downtown with many of the boarded-up buildings lining State Street restored to their former glory as trendy restaurants, retail shops and bars. Anyone who says Rockford can’t have a lively urban center should learn of the 70 downtown residences he’s restored and “filled with young professionals.”

“I was lucky to grow up in an historic home,” Anderson said. The UWMadison graduate in economics realized after 10 months of renovating kitchens and baths for a small contractor that, “I can do this.”

He’s restored 11 historic residences in Haight Village; returning them to market-rate housing and selling many of them back to the people renting them. In 1996, he converted a 25-year vacant storefront on a dilapidated part of State Street to Bacchus Wine Bar, a project that spurred the development of popular hangouts like Kryptonite Nightclub and Carlyle Brewing Company.

Anderson’s work as Larry Morrissey’s campaign manager in 2001 led the way for his eventual election as Mayor in 2005. In 1996-97, he helped start downtown Rockford advocacy group, River District Association.

Anderson’s latest project, the Garrison Lofts and Town homes, brings “Wrigleyville” style to a full block on Court Street. Working with Joe Morrissey, Morrissey Realty Group, LLC, Anderson’s opening of 15 apartments in the former Garrison School building and gymnasium is eagerly anticipated by those medical students and professionals committed to renting. The two- and three story units maintain their historic features like the massive ceiling heights of the original attic, exposed brick chimneys, and reclaimed and restored gym flooring.