There's a huge shakeup atop the Sterling Bay masthead. Founding principal Scott Goodman is stepping down from daily operations and will now hold the title of chairman emeritus.

Scott and Craig Golden founded Sterling Bay in 1987 with a renovated five-flat in Lakeview. From those humble beginnings, the firm grew to its current staff of 130 employees and has become synonymous with the adaptive reuse trend, creative office space, and the West Loop/Fulton Market submarket. Sterling Bay is now the top dog in the West Loop.

Scott shared day-to-day operations with managing principal Andy Gloor (left, with Sterling Bay principal John Gavin). Andy will continue in his role, while Scott says he'll continue to work with Sterling Bay on select projects, Crain's reports.

It's a rare change for Sterling Bay, whose chain of command has been stable, although co-founder Craig Golden left in 2007 to form Blue Star Properties, the firm responsible for converting the former Chicago Public Schools HQ into The National and partnering with Empty Bottle owner Bruce Finkleman on Pilsen's renovated Thalia Hall. Sterling Bay's upcoming projects include redeveloping the former Harpo Studios and 40 acres in the Clybourn Corridor, anchored by the former A Finkl & Sons steel plant site. [Crain's]