North Arrow Partners

07/10/2025

North Arrow Partners’ integrated Develop–Design–Build model streamlines affordable housing delivery by aligning all key phases under one accountable team.

Our approach supports:
-Speed to market through fewer delays and smoother approvals
-Budget certainty, helping partners plan with clarity and confidence
-Risk mitigation, by reducing change orders and improving coordination

This single-source model creates the conditions for efficient, high-quality development while giving our partners the bandwidth to focus on broader impact. As a woman-owned firm with deep experience in affordable and supportive housing, we are committed to outcomes that reflect both purpose and performance.

07/04/2025

This Fourth of July, we pause to reflect on the enduring spirit of independence and the vital role community plays in sustaining it.

At North Arrow Partners, we believe that access to safe, affordable housing is more than a basic need — it is the foundation for stability, dignity, and opportunity for families, seniors, and individuals with special needs.

As we honor this day, we renew our commitment to delivering thoughtful housing solutions that build strong, connected communities wherever they are needed.
Wishing you and your loved ones a safe and meaningful Independence Day.

— The North Arrow Partners Team

06/26/2025

We are so happy to bring new senior housing to Du Quoin!

I am thrilled to announce that Du Quoin was notified this week that we were chosen by the Illinois Housing Development Authority to be the location of a new senior (55+) housing development! This selection comes after I had several meetings with the developer in town, looking at multiple sites and even being turned down once before by the state. But, I stuck with it and kept working with the North Arrow folks to get this done. I know that Du Quoin has long struggled with adequate housing and this is a huge step in the right direction to fix that. Along with recently taking the first steps to explore the viability of a residential TIF, I am focused on making the necessary moves to rebuild our housing stock in Du Quoin to meet the needs of our great community!
Please see the informational flyer below about the awarded project.

06/10/2025

We’re pleased to share that North Arrow Partners has received funding approval from the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) for the development of Hope Springs Phase 2 in Springfield.

As the development partner, we’re focused on creating permanent supportive housing that provides stable, safe homes with on-site services tailored for individuals with special needs, including those experiencing homelessness or living with disabilities. This project reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering thoughtful, durable housing rooted in community, inclusion, and integrity.

We appreciate the opportunity to work alongside IHDA and Envision Unlimited and look forward to continuing our collaboration to support housing solutions that make a meaningful difference in the communities we serve.

05/27/2025

North Arrow Partners is proud to showcase our architectural expertise in Coal City, Illinois, delivering thoughtfully designed senior living that supports independent living and community connection.

This development features 44 units across 11 buildings, including one- and two-bedroom floorplans with premium amenities such as front porches, private patios, in-unit washers and dryers, private garages, and EnergyStar appliances.

The community building offers on-site management, a full kitchen, a large gathering room, and an outdoor patio connected to a landscaped gazebo—creating inviting spaces for social engagement and outdoor enjoyment.

Our design meets DOE 2023 Efficiency Standards and 2020 NGBS Green + Net Zero Energy compliance, achieving an average 20% energy savings through advanced insulation, energy-efficient appliances, and water-saving fixtures—reducing costs and environmental impact.

Safety and comfort are prioritized with fire-resistant materials and sound insulation, ensuring durable, quiet homes for residents.
The project preserves nearly four acres of open space for community use, produces 50% less traffic than typical developments, and requires no farmland annexation—supporting seniors to age in place within a vibrant, sustainable environment.

North Arrow Partners is honored to partner with Turnstone Development Corporation to bring this thoughtfully designed, energy-efficient senior housing to life.

05/02/2025

𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝘁—𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘆.

At North Arrow Partners, we speak your language. No siloed handoffs. No surprise costs. Just three integrated services, delivered with transparency and care:

𝟭. 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁
We dive into market analysis, site feasibility, and entitlement strategy so you never face unexpected roadblocks.

𝟮. 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲
Our in-house design team turns your vision into buildable plans—beautiful, practical, and on-budget.

𝟯. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
From groundbreaking to ribbon-cutting, we manage every detail with precision, delivering on time and on budget.

𝗧𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗬𝗼𝘂
Pick the pieces you need—whether it’s a standalone feasibility study, full architectural design, or end-to-end construction management. You only pay for what moves your project forward.

𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽
We communicate clearly, anticipate challenges, and keep your goals front and center. With one point of accountability, your peace of mind is our priority.

Let’s make your next project smoother, smarter, and genuinely stress-free.

📩 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸? Send us a LinkedIn message or visit northarrowpartners.com.

🔔 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 for real-world tips on integrated delivery and design-build best practices.

05/01/2025

𝗟𝗶𝗹𝗶 – Construction Lead | Collaborative. Focused. Relentless.

At 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀, we believe leadership is about more than just managing a job site—it’s about showing up with energy, clarity, and a strong sense of purpose. Liliana Ramos, our Construction Lead, embodies that every day.

She’s the first to roll up her sleeves when something needs fixing and the driving force when challenges arise. Liliana Ramos known for her adaptability—able to shift gears quickly, troubleshoot on the fly, and tackle any task with excellence and determination.

But what truly sets her apart is her people-first approach. She brings energy, focus, and passion to everything she does. Lili leads by example, making sure every team member feels heard, valued, and motivated to do their best work.

In a fast-paced, high-pressure field, Lili shows us that you can be driven, compassionate, and always ready to bring your full self to the job.

💬 𝗧𝗮𝗴 𝗮 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂.
💬 𝗧𝗮𝗴 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿—𝘄𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗼𝗻.

Here’s to the women building what’s next—with grit, grace, and excellence.

💪

04/28/2025

Designing for Well-being: The Role of Green Spaces in Supportive Housing

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐞𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 🌿
In environments designed to support well-being, green spaces are not simply aesthetic additions—they are essential components of thoughtful, human-centered design.

Gardens, courtyards, and terraces offer more than visual appeal. They provide opportunities for connection, reflection, and restoration—qualities that often go unnoticed but are deeply felt.

🔹 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞
Access to natural environments has been linked to lower stress levels and improved mental health. One study from McGovern Medical School found a 55% reduction in mental health risk among children with the highest exposure to green spaces.

🔹 𝐅𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
Shared outdoor spaces encourage casual interaction, offering moments of connection that build trust and community—especially important in settings where relationships are foundational to stability.

🔹 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲
Green infrastructure promotes physical activity and improves air quality, while also playing a role in climate resilience—mitigating urban heat and managing stormwater runoff. (The Guardian)

Just as nature itself endures—season after season—so too do the benefits of thoughtfully designed green spaces. They tie together the fabric of our communities, creating lasting connections that bloom and grow, season after season, alongside those who experience them.

04/25/2025

🔍 What Is Supportive Housing?
“Supportive housing combines affordable housing with services that help people who face the most complex challenges to live with stability, autonomy and dignity.”

— Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH)

Supportive housing is more than a home—
It’s a solution that pairs deeply affordable housing with on-site or closely connected services like mental health support, job training, and healthcare.

It’s designed for individuals navigating complex challenges—chronic health conditions, disabilities, long-term homelessness—and provides both stability and the support needed for long-term success.

This week, our team member Ashelyn Daniels participated in a two-day training hosted by CSH (Corporation for Supportive Housing). She explored best practices in trauma-informed design, service coordination, and what it truly takes to make supportive housing work. Her insights will shape how we continue to build communities with compassion and intention.

🏠 Supportive housing isn’t just a roof—it’s a foundation for lasting change.
💬 What questions do you have about how supportive housing works—or who it helps? We’d love to hear your thoughts.

04/23/2025

Founder Spotlight: Dulcinea Gillman – From Architect to Developer

With over 25 years of experience as a licensed architect in multifamily housing, 𝐃𝐮𝐥𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐚 𝐆𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐦𝐚𝐧 serves as the visionary and strategist behind 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬. Known for her insight in identifying new possibilities, Dulcinea drives the company’s mission to 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 for individuals and families in need of safe, clean, affordable housing through inventive and inclusive design. Her work primarily focuses on affordable and workforce housing for seniors, families, veterans, and individuals with special needs, particularly in rural Midwest communities.

Holding a master’s in architecture from the University of Illinois at Chicago, Dulcinea blends expertise with a passion for creating spaces that foster connection and opportunity.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭? Our approach is grounded in 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, and 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲. We ensure every project is not just a building, but a vibrant, sustainable space that enriches the lives of those who call it home.

Outside of work, Dulcinea draws inspiration from art, music, and travel, fueling her creativity and vision.

04/21/2025

𝗙𝗹𝗮𝘅𝟮: 𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 ⚡️💡

At North Arrow Partners, we embrace overcoming the unexpected. Our current project, 𝗙𝗹𝗮𝘅𝟮, is under construction and already presenting exciting challenges—one of the biggest being upgrading the site’s aging electrical grid to meet the growing demands of modern multifamily living.

But we’re not backing down! Through close collaboration with local utilities and engineers, we’re finding creative solutions to ensure the electrical infrastructure is not only reliable but also energy-efficient and future-proof for the community.

From soil stabilization to electrical upgrades, the 𝗙𝗹𝗮𝘅𝟮 team is navigating these hurdles with determination. It’s not just about solving problems—it’s about delivering vibrant, sustainable spaces that will truly enhance the lives of those who call it home.

What sets us apart? It’s our commitment to 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻, 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆-𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, and tackling challenges head-on—because we believe every community deserves a place to grow.

We’re excited to see 𝗙𝗹𝗮𝘅𝟮 come to life! Follow along as we continue to power through this journey. 🔨⚡️

04/17/2025

𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗜𝗜.

This week, the Springfield City Council voted unanimously to approve zoning for our latest supportive housing development.

𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱'𝘀 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗘𝗻𝗼𝘀 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗻𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱, 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟰 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘀 for residents living with physical and/or mental disabilities—an essential step toward addressing Springfield’s growing need for deeply supportive housing.

At North Arrow Partners, we’re committed to building housing that’s affordable, sustainable, and grounded in community. While there’s still work ahead to secure full funding, this zoning approval marks a significant step forward in the development process.

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀:
• Net-zero carbon design
• Built to the National Green Building Standard
• Includes on-site community and service spaces

Our heartfelt thanks to Mayor Buescher, Alderman Lakeisha Purchase, the Springfield City Council, city staff, and our community partners for championing this vision with us.

https://lnkd.in/gYYYkwHy