Margery
Al-Chalabi
Margery Al-Chalabi is a highly esteemed figure in economic forecasting and urban development, serving as the president of ACG: The al Chalabi Group, Ltd., based in Chicago, Illinois. With an impressive career spanning over 55 years, she has left a significant mark on the architectural and planning landscape.
Earlier in her career, Ms. al Chalabi worked with prestigious organizations such as the Allegheny County Redevelopment Authority in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Doxiadis Associates in Athens, Greece. Her experience laid a solid foundation for her subsequent roles in various planning and executive positions, including at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Chicago, the Chicago Department of Urban Renewal, and Real Estate Research Corporation.
In 1983, Ms. Al-Chalabi co-founded ACG with her partner and husband, Suhail al Chalabi, marking the beginning of a successful venture. Together, they undertook numerous projects focused on urban and economic development, comprehensive downtown development plans for cities such as Chicago, Charlotte, and Cincinnati, and transportation plans involving rails, bridges, toll roads, and airports. Their innovative methodologies and meticulous forecasting techniques brought prestige to their firm.
One of the notable achievements of ACG was the successful preservation of the historic Chicago Theater, which faced demolition in 1983. Through their efforts, the theater was purchased, rehabilitated, and saved for future generations to enjoy.
Ms. Al-Chalabi’s dedication to her profession and significant contributions have earned her multiple awards and recognition. She is a member of prestigious organizations such as the Urban Land Institute, the World Society for Ekistics, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the Society for Architectural Historians. Her inclusion in various editions of Who’s Who publications reflects her stature in the field. Beyond her professional endeavors, Ms. al Chalabi is actively involved in supporting the arts and cultural institutions in Chicago and her hometown of Pittsburgh. She subscribes to institutions such as The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Joffrey Ballet, and the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, demonstrating her commitment to the cultural vibrancy of her communities. Additionally, Ms. Al-Chalabi has served as a board member of The Cliff Dwellers of Chicago and was the immediate past president of the World Society for Ekistics. Her passion for architecture, planning, and the arts continues to shape her involvement in various organizations and initiatives, leaving a lasting impact on the communities she serves.
Margery Al-Chalabi was born in a small working-class town in the Allegheny River Valley of Pittsburgh. The first member of her extended family to attend college, she put herself through with scholarships and part-time work, earning a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University) in 1961. She studied at Athens Technological Institute (ATI) in Athens, Greece, receiving an MSc in Urban Planning and Regional Economics, in 1965. In Athens, Margery met Suhail al Chalabi, a fellow student at ATI, an architect from MIT, and the love of her life. They married in 1965; returned to the U.S.; and found interesting work in Chicago. Starting out at the Chicago regional office of HUD and City of Chicago, Margery extended her work on renewal and redevelopment with private consulting firms, conducting landmark work on these issues for HUD and other federal agencies; and with architectural firms planning downtown development in major cities. Suhail worked for Chicago’s two regional agencies: NIPC and CATS, as a senior official. Later, both served in the administration of Mayor Jane M. Byrne, Chicago’s first female mayor. When Chicago won the 1992 World’s Fair, they collaborated on writing the City’s Comprehensive Plan, Chicago 1992.