A real estate developer and immigrant from Egypt, Cameel Halim owns and operates CH Ventures, LLC, in Wilmette, Illinois. Widely known for his work rehabilitating distressed apartment buildings throughout the Chicago area, Cameel Halim also saves historical homes. In 2005, preserved the 1908 Kenilworth home, built by renowned architect Daniel Burnham and known as the Skiff House, which was slated for demolition. Mr. Halim negotiated the price with its previous owner, a local developer, and purchased the property. With the intent of restoring the structure to its original glory, Mr. Halim preserved a home of architectural significance in the oldest northern suburb of Chicago.
His other investments include an apartment building on Kenmore Avenue in the Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago. A location that many developers stayed away from at the time, Edgewater has a history of gang activity. However, Mr. Halim saw promise in the neighborhood following a meeting with the Edgewater Community Council, which indicated the area would move forward in a positive direction. Cameel Halim rehabilitated the deteriorating structure to livable spaces for families.
Today, the business has grown exponentially from its early days and is completely self-sufficient with over 200 full time employees hired to work in maintenance, apartment preparation, leasing, accounting and management.
