If MCZ had its way, "real estate developer" would be added to Carl Sandburg's famous poem about the Windy City. The company, which began by turning old Chicago apartments into fashionable condos, works on urban development projects in New York, Florida, Arizona, and other states. It specializes in urban infill, converting industrial properties into residential areas and attracting entertainment and retail venues to its developments. In addition to condo conversions and new high-rise construction, MCZ also builds hotel-condos and mixed use projects. It offers its services, including construction, sales, marketing, and financing, ala carte as well. President Michael Lerner formed the company in 1985.