Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
by Sheldon Shacket
“What ever happened to that Siding-1 building on the corner of Oakley and Clybourn?”
Ask its founder, Bill Conforti, and his response will go well beyond the matter-of-fact.
As he stands across the street from the demolished 3066 N. Clybourn Ave. construction site, Bill becomes more than a little emotional when reminiscing about the 28 years he spent developing his Siding-1, Windows-1 Exterior business and constructing the company’s headquarters on that site.
As a supplement to the higher volume siding and windows business, Conforti had also opened Cobblestone Development in the building next door. “I actually formed Cobblestone Development 21 years ago with the goal to remodel and build quality homes from the ground up,” he explains.
“Cobblestone gave me the opportunity to become involved in more creative projects,” he says, “while Siding-1 offered high value to those homeowners who wanted to improve their property’s street appeal and maximize energy savings, especially when considering selling their home.”
In 2012, Conforti sold Siding-1, Windows-1 and the new owners moved the company to the suburbs. He then sold the iconic Siding-1 structure and the adjacent building – which housed Cobblestone – to make way for an 18-unit condominium development.
We asked Bill, “What are you doing now?”
“When I sold Siding-1, Windows-1 in 2012, I wanted to focus my efforts into Cobblestone Development,” he says. “I was a little sad to sell the property that I had renovated, but I am thrilled to be starting this new chapter in my life.”
Recently, Bill set up an office at 3058 N. Clybourn Ave., in another building that he owned and built seven years ago, to house Cobblestone. It’s only two doors away from the old Siding-1, Windows-1 buildings.
Cobblestone has won awards for its projects, which included construction of new buildings built from the ground-up in addition to home remodeling.
“I guess I’ll always have construction in my blood. I just enjoy the challenge of providing my customers the best quality at a great price,” he says.
We noticed that Oakley Avenue at the intersection of Clybourn was renamed “The Honorary Bill Conforti Way,” and we asked Bill about it.
“Yes,” he laughs, “I always wanted to have my own way.”
Cobblestone Development is located at 3058 N. Clybourn Ave. in Chicago. For details, call 773-661-0606.
