Doorperson of the Month: James Forrest

For 29 years, James Forrest has greeted the residents of Streeterville’s CityFront Place Court with nothing short of a warm smile and a genuine devotion to making sure everyone feels satisfied and welcomed.

“It’s been wonderful,” Forrest said with a beaming smile. “I just love people, the residents. I just enjoy what I do. I give my residents a big send off every day, every time they come through the lobby. I like the different nationalities here, the different personalities here. It makes me feel good that people love living here.”

As doorman and head of security for Titon, CityFront’s security company, Forrest leads many responsibilities at CityFront, including making sure his residents are safe and secure. 

In 1991, Forrest, a Chicago native, was working as a parking attendant at another condominium’s parking garage when he was offered the doorman position at CityFront Place by another doorman. Beginning as a part-time employee, he quickly became a full-time fixture at the condominium. 

When he’s not working, Forrest enjoys family time, which, for the past 10 years, entailed summertime travel to places such as Jamaica, Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Orlando with his friends and family. That is, up until this year—he and his family had to cancel their trip due to COVID-19 but have plans to revisit the idea of a destination trip this upcoming summer. 

When asked about something his residents may not know about him, Forrest shares his love for dancing, particularly Chicago-style stepping: a pre-COVID pastime to which he would look forward. 

Forrest’s other hobby includes people-watching, something he correlates with his love for dancing. 

“When I’m watching people, it’s just a beautiful thing,” he said. “See how they synchronize, just seeing them out there smiling, and just enjoying themselves; the turns, the smooth moves, and stuff like that.. the showmanship.” 

Forrest goes beyond his required duties as doorman; he mentions occasionally going out to run errands for residents in need, whether that be dry cleaning, groceries, etc. 

His warm demeanor and positive energy beam through the lobby, making residents from all walks of life feel welcomed and at ease. Forrest claims the positive feedback he receives from tenants motivates him to be his best on the job.  

“They’ll say things like, ‘James, when I first moved to Chicago to CityFront, your smile and your personality always made me feel so welcomed here -- you made the place extra special,’” he said. “Just hearing stuff like this motivates me, makes me think, ‘You’re doing something, you’re doing something right.” 

Forrest says he has his family to thank for his beaming personality and positive attitude. 

“My father was very upbeat, and my entire family really is,” he said. “I always say, ‘Always stay upbeat, regardless of what’s going on in life; don’t bring it to work. If something is going on, just leave it right there. When you start that job, you have to focus on that, do what you came in for. It’s a challenge, but I always welcome a challenge.’”