One building is not even open yet, the other has been open for less than a month, but the state’s structural engineers wasted no time honoring two Loop buildings for engineering excellence.

A nine-story mixed-use high rise development going up at the corner of Chicago Avenue and Main Street may be open as soon as Sept. 1, estimated the developer, joining city officials and others at a “topping off,” ceremony Wednesday.

Despite its marquee riverfront location in Chicago’s West Loop, a sliver of land today known as 150 North Riverside sat vacant for decades, effectively orphaned. Wedged between the Chicago River to the east and active Amtrak rail lines to the west, bookended by Lake and Randolph streets to the north and south, the lot was absent both utilities and footprint, expanding out to only 85 ft at maximum broadness. Over the years, there were plans, but to no avail.

Location isn’t just important for brick & mortar stores – it can play a role in the success of digital companies as well. And when I’m talking about location, I’m not just talking about the city. The very building in which a company is located can also be a factor.