Real Restoration Group Unveils Renovation of Barnette Academy in Chicago
Real Restoration Group completes adaptive reuse transformation of 1894 N Milwaukee Ave into Barnette Academy, a premier educational facility in Bucktown.
CHICAGO, IL / August 26, 2025 / Real Restoration Group proudly announces the completion of its transformative work on Barnette Academy, located at 1894 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago. This ambitious adaptive reuse project has reimagined the site into a vibrant educational institution, blending architectural preservation with forward-thinking design to support a new generation of learners (project photo gallery below).
Opening its doors on March 17, 2025, Barnette Academy stands as a beacon of renewal in the Bucktown community. Originally an underutilized structure, the site underwent a complete overhaul that included extensive reconstruction of and a comprehensive change of use—bringing to life a fully operational, modern academic facility tailored to early learning and educational development.
It’s always rewarding to contribute to the community and help shape the future for generations to come. Barnette Academy is a testament to what thoughtful restoration and community-centered design can achieve.
Morris Gershengorin, CEO and Founder of Real Restoration Group
Barnette Academy celebrated the opening of its new location, designed and built in partnership with Real Restoration Group. The school founder emphasized how the collaboration captured both function and warmth:
We are so grateful to Real Restoration for bringing our vision to life in such a thoughtful and beautiful way. We look forward to establishing our roots as one of the neighborhood’s premier childcare options. As a play-based school serving children from 6 weeks through 5 years old, we are proud to provide a nurturing and engaging environment for families in our community.
Sara Deberry, Founder of Barnette Academy
Located at the crossroads of tradition and innovation, Barnette Academy aims to serve as a model for institutional development through adaptive reuse.
More information about the school is available at www.barnetteacademy.com.
Project Gallery
This latest addition to Real Restoration Group’s portfolio reinforces the firm’s deep expertise in educational and institutional construction. The company has established itself as a leader in high-impact restorations that honor history while delivering on modern standards of excellence.
About Barnette Academy
Barnette Academy is a newly established educational institution focused on early learning and child development, located in Chicago’s vibrant Bucktown neighborhood. Through a blend of academic rigor and creative exploration, the Academy nurtures the intellectual, emotional, and social growth of its students in a state-of-the-art campus. Learn more at www.barnetteacademy.com.
About Real Restoration Group
Real Restoration Group is a full-service general contracting, design-build, and restoration firm headquartered in Chicago, IL. With a passion for transforming spaces and enriching communities, the firm specializes in adaptive reuse, commercial buildouts, institutional projects, and luxury residential renovations. Real Restoration is driven by craftsmanship, transparency, and an unrelenting commitment to excellence. Learn more at www.realrestoration.com.
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