BKV Group Welcomes Charles Swanson and Kelsey Fissinger to Chicago Practice Site

Additions expand design firm’s capabilities in market-rate multifamily, affordable, student and senior housing in Chicago and throughout Midwest/Central U.S.

As cranes return to the Chicago skyline and construction activity surges in Midwest cities with unmet housing needs, BKV Group continue to invest in talent that will help us serve developer clients throughout the region. To that end, we are excited to announce the addition of two new hires in the firm’s Chicago practice site: Charles Swanson has joined the firm as senior design leader and Development Managing Partner, while Kelsey Fissinger will serve as Director of Business Development and Senior Associate.

Over his career, Swanson has delivered more than 20,000 multifamily units across building typologies ranging from mixed-use high-rises to garden-style communities, including student housing, market-rate, HUD-financed, senior living and tax credit projects. In his most recent role at Ware Malcomb, where he served as practice leader and director of multifamily, he was responsible for establishing and growing the firm’s multifamily practice nationwide. At BKV Group, he will shape long-term strategy, mentor practice and project leaders, and represent the firm at the highest levels of client, industry and community engagement.

“BKV Group presented me with the opportunity to join a nationally recognized design firm whose multifamily practice leads the industry by embracing emerging technologies and building methods,” said Swanson. “Having grown a multifamily design team from the ground up, I understand how to earn the trust of clients — and their repeat business — by guiding them toward the solutions that align with each project’s vision and budget.”

Swanson holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Rice University.

Fissinger brings over six years of experience to BKV Group, most recently working as director of new business development at The Childs Dreyfus Group, where she led the firm’s expansion across the multifamily, mixed-use, student housing and senior living sectors. In her new role, she will work closely with practice leaders to identify opportunities, guide pursuit strategy and connect clients with BKV’s integrated architecture, interior design, engineering and planning expertise.

“My background in business development for architectural interior design services gives me a solid foundation on which I can develop new and existing relationships within the broader industry,” said Fissinger. “I’m eager to promote BKV’s holistic approach and educate clients on the many benefits afforded by cross-collaboration among teams that operate as part of the same integrated enterprise.”

A graduate of the University of Missouri, Fissinger is also an active member of NAIOP Chicago and the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC), underscoring her deep engagement in the region’s development landscape and commitment to industry leadership as the needs of the development community continue to evolve.