65 East Wacker

65 EAST WACKER

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
65 E Wacker Holdings II, LLC

STATISTICS
24 Stories
222,768 GSF

STATUS
In Development

A 24-story downtown office building near Chicago’s popular Riverwalk proposes to convert the building into 252 apartments, while retaining a restaurant and historic lobby space. The art deco building at 65 E. Wacker was completed in 1928 and is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.

December 6, 2024December 19, 2024

65 E. Wacker residential development approved

65 EAST WACKER RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT APPROVED

We’re excited to announce that the Chicago Plan Commission has officially approved the residential development of 65 East Wacker Place! Our team here at PH will design the conversion of floors 4 to 24 into residential units and the two lower floors will turn into the new lobby, while still preserving Morton’s The Steakhouse, located on the second floor. We’re all thrilled to see the transformation of this historic building! More news coming soon.

Pomeroy Apartments

POMEROY APARTMENTS

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Chicago Housing Authority

ORIGINAL ARCHITECT
Leo Steif

STATISTICS
104 and 1 Management Units
10 Stories
118,500 GSF

The classically detailed, limestone and terracotta clad building was renovated as part of the Chicago Housing Authority’s Plan for Transformation to be their flagship senior living center on Chicago’s North Side. The plan sought to preserve the building’s vintage apartment-hotel character keeping as many dwellings as possible while adding contemporary amenities, technologies and accessibility features. A full exterior restoration including replication of the missing terracotta eyebrow cornice were a part of the repair program. Inside, the ornate plasterwork of the original 1923 lobby was restored and the space re-purposed for a formal Event and Dining Room. Together with the creation of a new Kenmore Avenue entry, a central communal space resulted to bring together administration and activity spaces for casual and formal interaction of the occupants. Special amenities include a central landscaped courtyard and rooftop terrace with garden plots for residents.

LEED® Platinum Certified

AWARDS
The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award, President’s Award, Landmarks Illinois
Silver Achievement Award, Best 50+ Repositioned Community, National Association of Home Builders
Silver Award, Best Renovation, MultiHousing News (MHN) Excellence Awards, MHN Magazine
Bronze Award, Building Design+Construction (BD+C) Reconstruction Awards, BD+C Magazine
Bronze Award, Restoration/Renovation, Brick in Architecture Awards, Brick Industry Association

801 West Madison

801 WEST MADISON

LOCATION
Chicago, IL

CLIENT
The Neighborhood Hotels

STATISTICS
76 Units
6 Stories
21,596 SF Retail/Commercial
82,082 GSF

STATUS
In Development

The Former Mid-City Trust and Savings Bank building was designed in 1911 as a Romanesque Revival-style six-story commercial and office building. The L-shaped building was redesigned in 1928 to add a new Classical Revival-style exterior and a double-height banking hall on the inside, illuminated by large skylights. Banking facilities at 801 W. Madison remained open until the early 2000s and have stayed vacant since the mid-2000s.

The building was designated a Chicago Landmark in 2012, with the interior banking hall included as a significant space in the designation. The Neighborhood Hotels purchased the building a decade later for rehabilitation and conversion into an apartment-style hotel. The historic bank will be revived into a mixed-use building with a small portion of the first floor and floors 2-6 comprising 76 hotel suites and the remaining space on the first floor and basement to be leased to retail and restaurant tenants. The building application for listing on the National Register of Historic Places was recently approved.

The Grand Kedzie Lodge

THE GRAND KEDZIE LODGE

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Ranquist Development
Jodi Development
Campbell Coyle

STATISTICS
10 Units
3 Stories + Basement
1 Parking Space
9,413 GSF

PHOTOS & RENDERINGS
Courtesy of Ranquist Development

The Grand Kedzie Lodge is a historical mansion located at 2228 N. Kedzie in Logan Square, Chicago. Originally built in 1893 as a single-family home, it has since been adapted into a multifamily residence and is now a part of the Logan Square Boulevards historic district. The mansion features a Richardsonian Romanesque style of architecture with rusticated limestone frontage, arched openings, and a cylindrical turret with a conical cap.

The property went through repairs and updates to increase the total number of dwellings to ten units in the main house. While the exterior of the building was preserved, the interiors were updated to meet the needs of modern urban tenants. Floor plans have been thoughtfully designed to take advantage of the interesting volumes and large windows, creating unique interior compositions throughout. The expressive roofline also provides a dramatic interior feature for the upper loft units.

AWARDS
1 Place, Multifamily, Metamorphosis Awards, Retrofit Magazine

1810 North Wells

1810 NORTH WELLS

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Chicago Development Partners

STATISTICS
18 Units
2-4 Stories
18 Parking Spaces
5,100 SF Commercial
39,762 GSF

STATUS
Under Construction

The proposed mixed-use residential project, located in Chicago’s Old Town Triangle neighborhood, combines the adaptive reuse of an existing 2-story building, a 3-story building with a 2-story coach house in the back, and the partial demolition of a 1-story garage building with a new 3-story rooftop addition. The entire development preserves the existing street-wall along North Wells Street with the new addition being deliberately set-back from the street front. Together the four buildings will include 18 dwelling units 18 parking spaces, 5,100 SF of street-level retail, and a shared courtyard.The building's massing is composed of a 4-story base filling the vacant lot, a middle section tower that is setback from the base facade along Washington Blvd. The top floors also set back further providing active roof-top uses and outdoor decks for occupant use. The building's base is designed to respect the local character with a contemporary expression utilizing a mix of traditional materials, brick, and metal.

1847 North Humboldt

1847 NORTH HUMBOLDT

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Ranquist Development
Jodi Development

ORIGINAL ARCHITECT
Unknown

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
Pre 1910

STATISTICS
15 Units
3 Stories
18 Parking Spaces
15,000 GSF

Located on the historic Humboldt Boulevard and steps away from Chicago's popular 606 Trail, the project converts a century-old church to residential use, providing 15 new residential apartments to Chicago's increasingly popular Logan Square neighborhood. The development transforms the existing structure to include six custom apartments. With the original church’s exposed framework and stained glass details, the dwelling units offer a one-of-a-kind experience for its residents. Adjacent to the site was the previous church’s parking lot, which was relocated to the back of the development to make way for a brand new annex building with 9 additional units. The completed development provides 15 modern residences for the growing population in Logan Square that blends seamlessly into the historic fabric of the neighborhood.

CASE STUDY
Case Study Download

The Fisher Building

THE FISHER BUILDING

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Fisher Building LLC

ORIGINAL ARCHITECT
Charles Atwood

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
1896

STATISTICS
184 Units
21 Stories
14,000 SF Retail/Commercial
29,500 GSF

Commissioned by paper industry magnate Lucius Fisher for his office headquarters, the neo-Gothic inspired Chicago Landmark building was originally built in 1896 by D.H. Burnham & Company. After an addition was added in 1907, it became one of the tallest and most elegant buildings in the country. By the 1990’s, the building had outlived its usefulness and had fallen into a state of disrepair until it was restored and converted to residential use in early 2000. The highly complex restoration included the replacement of 6,000 pieces of terra cotta, the recreation of both original main entries, and the repair and replacement of 1,200 existing wood windows. On the interior, existing marble walls and floors, mosaic tile floors, and extensive mahogany trim molding and doors were also repaired and faithfully restored.

AWARDS
Chicago Landmark Award for Preservation Excellence, Commission on Chicago Landmarks
Best Restoration, Friends of Downtown, Chicago

The Buckingham Student Center

THE BUCKINGHAM STUDENT CENTER

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Brownstone Realty & Development Co.

ORIGINAL ARCHITECT
Holabird & Root

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
1929

STATISTICS
129 Units
27 Stories
4,680 SF Retail/Commercial
215,000 GSF

The transformation of this Landmark office building for new use as a 129-unit, 456-bed student housing center included the implementation of state-of-the-art building systems as well as the complete restoration of its brick and terracotta clad facade and original Art Deco Lobby. Large single hung windows were installed to take advantage of the expansive views East to Lake Michigan and West to the Loop. Each studio-, one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartment- style unit includes ensuite laundry, a full kitchen and its own HVAC unit. The building offers abundant common areas and premium amenities including a complete fitness center, 27th floor sky lounge and an internet café with WiFi.

AWARDS
Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award, Outstanding Adaptive Use Award, Landmarks Illinois, City of Chicago
Chicago Landmark Award for Preservation Excellence, Commission on Chicago Landmarks, City of Chicago
Finalist, Award for Excellence, Urban Land Institute

Domain

DOMAIN

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Centrum Properties

ORIGINAL ARCHITECT
Schmidt Gardner

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
1917

STATISTICS
292 Units
12 Stories
1,395 Parking Spaces
1,140,000 GSF

The renovation of this historic former warehouse complex for the Montgomery Wards and Company fulfills a multi-use program, combining a telecom server facility with residential loft-style units, retail spaces, parking, and a riverwalk and marina at the Chicago River. Special features include a 5-story, 16,000-square-foot interior landscaped courtyard carved from the vast interior of the structure, and a roof top running track at the 12th level. The industrial elegance of the original façade is preserved by the use of historic-reproduction windows and stepped-back terraces at a two-story addition to the 9-story structure. The façade at street level is recessed behind round columns in deference to the original railway docks. The curvilinear nature of the residential corridors contrasts the rigid structural grid, visually foreshortening the long halls. A consistent pattern language of design elements at the different lobbies on each floor provides visual landmarks, and counterbalances the rectilinear building envelope.

Metropolitan Tower

METROPOLITAN TOWER

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Metropolitan Properties of Chicago, LLC

ORIGINAL ARCHITECT
Graham, Anderson, Probst & White

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
1924

STATISTICS
242 Units
30 Stories
290 Parking Spaces
36,000 SF Retail/Commercial
710,000 GSF

An ambitious adaptive re-use project transformed an obsolete office building into a mixed-use facility integrating retail, parking spaces and luxury residential condominiums at an important downtown Chicago site overlooking Grant and Millennium parks. While introducing these new uses, the building conversion preserved the limestone-clad facade, the blue lit beehive dome, and the opulent bronze-and-marble lobby. To satisfy residential code, the building required extensive access modifications, including a single elevator serving all floors. In-depth study revealed only one location option which mandated a new freestanding enclosure behind the existing tower, detailed to address landmark district requirements. The conversion also incorporated 318 S. Michigan Avenue, an adjacent seven-story, timber-frame terra cotta-clad structure dating from 1899.

AWARDS
Vision Award, Historic Redevelopment, Urban Land Institute Chicago

Chicago Landmark Award for Preservation Excellence, Commission on Chicago Landmarks, City of Chicago

Best Adaptive Re-use Award, Friends of Downtown (Chicago)

Arc at Old Colony

ARC AT OLD COLONY

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Campus/MCJ Development JV, LLC

ORIGINAL ARCHITECT
Holabird and Roche

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
1894

STATISTICS
137 Units
17 Stories
7,000 SF Retail/Commercial
187,000 GSF

Built in 1893, the 17-story building is a pioneering Chicago skyscraper of skeletal construction with a supported masonry enclosure and floors resting on spread footings. It was designed by Holabird & Roche over a single weekend charette with the Monadnock Annex, Marquette and Chaplain Buildings. When the renovation started, the building had a 60% vacancy rate, 4 of six elevators non-operational, terra cotta facade condition problems, 653 non-functional monumental wood windows, a failed roof and one open stairwell for the only interior fire exit. The 198ksf renovation has 137 dwellings with ground level retail. A Penthouse facility with terrace were added and compliment the 2nd floor restored banking offices, now used for administration and gathering space. Two fire escapes were removed from the east facade. A second interior enclosed stair from Basement to Roof was added. Other life safety improvements include a fire alarm and sprinkler system, diesel emergency generator, and emergency lighting and voice communication systems. Historic corridor windows and glass doors were upgraded with a fire rated overlay to separate the dwellings and stairs from the corridor. Elevators were repaired using original bronze and iron grilles.

Chicago Landmark Building
National Register of Historic Places

AWARDS
J. Timothy Anderson Awards for Excellence in Historic Rehabilitation, from the National Housing & Rehabilitation Association

Preservation Excellence Award, from the Commission on Chicago Landmarks

Silver Award, Reconstruction Awards, Building Design + Construction Magazine

Merit Award, Adaptive Re-use, Chicago Building Congress

Finalist, Vision Awards, Urban Land Institute Chicago

Nominated, UNESCO World Heritage Site

116 South Michigan Avenue

116 SOUTH MICHIGAN AVENUE

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Horwitz & Company

ORIGINAL ARCHITECT
Jenney, Mundie & Jensen

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
1906, 1912

STATISTICS
17 Stories
27,000 SF Retail/Commercial
100,000 GSF

Originally known as Chicago’s Municipal Court Building (aka The Lake View Building), the structure was designed by Jenney, Mundie & Jensen and built in 1906 at twelve stories high, on caissons. Five additional stories and a vaulted lobby ceiling were added in 1912 in a bid to attract new tenants. The building was renamed the 116 S. Michigan Avenue Building and converted for modern first-class office space in 1986. Extensive rehabilitation brought the building back to its original turn-of-the-century grandeur, with complete restoration of the ornately decorated marble lobby and two wrought iron staircases. Other major improvements include new high speed passenger elevators, a new freight elevator, new bathrooms for each floor, thermopane windows, a new energy efficient HVAC system, and upgraded electrical and plumbing systems. On the facade of the narrow, glazed terra cotta building, two new columns are placed to visually support the structure and relate it to the existing streetscape, while a new store front and entry are detailed in a manner sympathetic to the original construction.

National Register of Historic Places

The Richelieu Flats

THE RICHELIEU FLATS

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Metropolitan Properties of Chicago, LLC

ORIGINAL ARCHITECT
Hessen- Mueller & Meldahi

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
1885

STATISTICS
5 Units
8 Stories
10,600 SF Retail/Commercial
26,000 GSF

The Richelieu’s contiguity with the historical Michigan Avenue Streetwall commanded a painstaking restoration of the building’s terra cotta façade and partial preservation of the original timber-framed structure. Sited on a deep lot which is not conducive to full residential use, the rear two-thirds of the structure was demolished and re-built as a concrete parking structure available to both the Metropolitan Tower and Richelieu Flats. The front one-third of the original structure facing Grant Park was rehabilitated for use as a two-story retail space on ground level, luxury residential flats on floors 3-6, and a luxury duplex dwelling on the 7th and new 8th Floor. The new 8th floor, which serves the top level of the duplex penthouse unit, is a contemporary steel and glass structure set back from the building’s original façade. This setback offers a large private terrace overlooking Grant Park, and preserves the building’s original cornice line.

The Roosevelt Hotel

THE ROOSEVELT HOTEL

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Frankel & Giles

ORIGINAL ARCHITECT
Jules de Horvath

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
1892

STATISTICS
42 Units
8 Stories
4,275 SF Retail/Commercial
35,500 GSF

An existing 8-story plus basement masonry and wood hotel structure was renovated for student housing use after sitting vacant for eight years. Extensive repair of the facade was needed to address deterioration. The reinforcement of the structure was in need of special attention as a result of internal structural changes made in the 1920’s when Roosevelt Road was raised to overpass State Street. Restoration of Roosevelt Road to grade level in 1990 allowed the recreation of the missing ornate limestone and glass storefront above which are rental dwellings overlooking Dearborn Park and the lakefront.

National Register of Historic Places.

University Station

UNIVERSITY STATION

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
New West Realty Group

ORIGINAL ARCHITECT
Henschien & McLaren

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
1929

STATISTICS
231 Units
12 Stories
236 Parking Spaces
9,200 SF Retail/Commercial
343,000 GSF

Located on Chicago’s near West Side, this historic cold storage warehouse has been completely renovated for loft style dwellings with interior parking, ground level retail and a new twelfth floor addition setback to preserve the original cornice line. The unique concrete structure employed a double slab wall and floor system sandwiching an 8” layer of cork insulation. Challenged by large windowless walls on three sides, the team worked closely with local, State and National authorities to determine appropriate modifications that respected the preservation regulations and the local building codes. Significant historic components include the Art Deco terracotta and concrete facades, the original terracotta lobby and decorative metal elevator car, and reconstruction of a missing water tower in fiberglass to conceal cell phone antennas previously mounted to the facades. Extensive structural repairs were also required to address deterioration brought on by the leaking brine building refrigeration system. Landlocked between two major elevated railways, the project required careful planning for emergency vehicle access through the building utilizing the internal loading berths.

Motley School Apartments

MOTLEY SCHOOL APARTMENTS

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Svigos Development, Inc.

ORIGINAL ARCHITECT
John Flanders

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
1884

STATISTICS
34 Units
4 Stories
16 Parking Spaces
50,625 GSF

PHOTOGRAPHY
Darris Harris
Pappageorge Haymes Partners

The residential conversion of the historic Motley Elementary School, a 4-story masonry building on Chicago’s near West Side, includes the conversion into 34 residential apartments with attached interior parking, a new roof terrace, and elevator providing service to each level. To comply with historic Federal Tax Credit requirements, the project retains its Renaissance Revival masonry details in traditional red pressed-brick, limestone, and pressed metal. Ornate cast iron stairs, raised panel wood doors and portals, bead-board wainscott, first growth hardwood floors, glass transoms and cabinetry are among the many other materials and character defining original features retained and integrated into the completed project.

Chicago Landmark Building

AWARDS
Bronze Award, Adaptive Reuse, Best in American Living Award, National Association of Home Builders
Excellence Award, Adaptive Re-use, Multi-housing News
Finalist, Adaptive Re-use, Chicago Commercial Real Estate Awards

Stewart School Lofts

STEWART SCHOOL LOFTS

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
4525 Kenmore LLC

ORIGINAL ARCHITECT
Dwight Perkins

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
1907

STATISTICS
64 Units
5 Stories
37 Parking Spaces
108,000 GSF

The renovation and conversion of the former Graeme-Stewart Elementary School to a five floor + green roof residential building provides a mixture of studio, one, two, and three bedroom apartments with tall ceilings and oversized windows - architectural features ideally suited for its Uptown district location. The original four level walk-up structure is improved with a tall attic and new rear facing dormers opening onto walk-out terraces and a landscaped roof. Included in the plan is associated interior parking and improvements to the currently landscaped portions of former Kenmore Avenue. The landmark Prairie Style building was originally designed by preeminent architect, Dwight Perkins, renown for his mastery of interior daylighting principles and interior school organization. Perkins’ completely non-combustible buildings and distinctive decorative features complemented functional needs and added to their lasting durable nature.

AWARDS
Preservation Excellence Award, City of Chicago Commission on Chicago Landmarks
Finalist, Vision Awards, Urban Land Institute, Chicago

Peabody School Apartments

PEABODY SCHOOL APARTMENTS

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Svigos Development, Inc.

ORIGINAL ARCHITECT
W. August Fiedler

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
1894

STATISTICS
23 Units
4 Stories
22 Parking Spaces
38,800 GSF

PHOTOGRAPHY
Darris Harris

The Elizabeth Peabody Public School was designed by the Chicago Board of Education architect W. August Fiedler and constructed in 1894. The 15-room, three-story building raised over a basement stands out for its intricate details utilizing stone, brick, terra cotta, and decorative metal in the Romanesque Revival / Classical Revival style and is a noteworthy example of Chicago’s public school architecture in the late 1800s.

Following the closure of several Chicago Public Schools in 2013, Peabody School was sold through a public auction with a redevelopment plan to transform the historic structure into 23 apartments with a rooftop deck. The renovation encompassed the preservation and repair of the building’s facade, cornice, interior trim, and built-ins, including the refurbishment of various school furniture, chalkboards, and cabinets. Apartments are enhanced with a multitude of recycled materials sourced from the school to retain the historic character of the original use. Infrastructure modernization included the complete replacement of the mechanical systems and components to ensure energy efficiency. Additionally, a new deck was added at the roof level to be used as an amenity space for the residents. The existing stairs were repaired and extended to reach the roof, and a new elevator was installed to provide access to all levels of the building.

AWARDS
2nd Place, Adaptive Reuse, Low-rise, Metamorphosis Awards, Retrofit Magazine
Award level TBD, Adaptive Reuse, Best in American Living Award, National Association of Home Builders

Infinite Chicago

INFINITE CHICAGO

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Gibbons Steger, LLC

ORIGINAL ARCHITECT
Marshall & Fox Architects

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
1910, 1912

STATISTICS
0, 56, 68 Units
2, 16 and 19 Stories
10,600 SF Retail/Commercial
500, 83,000, and 131,000 GSF

PHOTOGRAPHY
Darris Harris
Courtesy of CA Student Living
George Pappageorge

The Steger Gibbons & Pickwick Renovation comprises the redevelopment of three historic buildings in Chicago’s Loop into a mixed-use student housing and retail complex. The renovation of the 17-story and 19-story buildings retains street-oriented commercial functions at the ground level. The second floor is dedicated to residents services and amenity functions. Resident access is focused through the Steger Building lobby where security, mail, and messaging services are located. Modern accessibility and life safety codes are addressed by joining the buildings with a connecting bridge at all floors above the 5th level. The roof of the Gibbons Building is improved with a new outdoor terrace and event room addition with height and massing carefully coordinated for compliance with historic site line requirements. The masonry clad steel frame buildings have had fire escapes removed and their facades carefully repaired in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Rehabilitation. The Steger Building also has had a missing terra cotta cornice replaced together with historically accurate storefront replacements along Jackson Boulevard and Wabash Avenue. Along with a restored lobby and tree lined streetscape, these buildings revive an important corner in Chicago’s largest student campus.

AWARDS
J. Timothy Anderson Award for Historic Rehabilitation, Best Market-Rate/Mixed-Income Residential, National Housing and Rehabilitation Association

Pillars of the Industry Award, Best Adaptive Re-use, National Association of Homes Builders (NAHB)

Block, Street & Building Award, Congress for the New Urbanism Illinois

Silver Award, Building Design+Construction (BD+C) Reconstruction Awards, BD+C Magazine

Chicago Landmark Award for Preservation Excellence (The Steger Building), City of Chicago Commission on Chicago Landmarks

Finalist, Urban Land Institute Chicago Vision Awards, from Urban Land Institute Chicago

Honoree, Real Estate & Building Industries Council of Landmarks Illinois

CASE STUDY
Case Study Download

Armour Institute Building

ARMOUR INSTITUTE BUILDING

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Armour Institute, LLC

ORIGINAL ARCHITECT
Patton & Fisher

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
1892

STATISTICS
102 Units
7 Stories
75,400 GSF

The redevelopment plan for the historic masonry and wood building comprises the renovation and residential conversion to rental loft-style apartments. Included will be such lifestyle amenities as a fitness center, community rooms, bicycle storage, and new rooftop deck. An existing boiler structure along the south side of the building will be rebuilt with alterations to provide additional dwellings and common area uses. Work will include renovation and life safety improvements throughout the building, including the addition of a new enclosed stair from basement to roof. Exterior work will include the removal of two fire escapes from the north and south facades and the repair or replacement of masonry walls of face brick, terra cotta and sandstone. Existing wood double hung windows will also be repaired and replaced as needed.

Chicago Landmark Building, National Historic District.

Mulligan School Lofts

MULLIGAN SCHOOL LOFTS

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
Svigos Development, Inc.

PRESERVATION CONSULTING ARCHITECT
Pappageorge Haymes Partners

ARCHITECT OF RECORD
Bauer Latoza Studio

ORIGINAL ARCHITECT
Charles Rudolph

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
1889

STATISTICS
24 Units
4 Stories
48,000 GSF

The adaptive re-use of the former James Mulligan Public School Building to residential apartments began as an historic conversion but was radically altered by a fire that gutted the school’s 4th floor. The roof was burned away and what remained of the lower levels was smoke and water damaged. The building was quickly enclosed, dried out and sealed to remove damage and odors. In order to maintain the old school character, the program set out to salvage and reuse as many of the building components and materials as possible. Re-purposed materials from other period schools, including discarded millwork, slate chalkboards, wainscoting, flooring, doors, jambs, transoms and other character defining elements were also incorporated. The project celebrates Chicago’s distinguished early school history and showcases the best features of the urban lifestyle. Residents enjoy unparalleled access to public transportation, shopping and services. A rooftop terrace provides gardening opportunities and spectacular skyline views.

Chicago Landmark Building.

AWARDS
Preservation Excellence Award, City of Chicago Commission on Chicago Landmarks

University Commons

UNIVERSITY COMMONS

LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois

CLIENT
The Enterprise Companies

ORIGINAL ARCHITECT
Fugar & Knapp

ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION DATE
1925

STATISTICS
926 Units
4 Stories
1,570,000 GSF
16.9 Acres

The six landmark buildings in this residential loft conversion were formerly warehouse buildings that served as Chicago’s wholesale fresh produce marketplace. The original terra cotta clad structures have been meticulously restored to appear as they did more than eighty years ago. The original canopies have been replaced with new open canopies to imitate the original design, while integrating balconies to create outdoor spaces for the residents. The existing loading docks have been rebuilt and converted to private outdoor terraces for the first floor units. A new fourth floor addition has been erected on top of each building to house the upper level of duplex units, simplex units, common spaces and amenities. Fifty-foot wide landscaped courtyards connect the buildings and provide a private oasis nearly three acres in size.

AWARDS
Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award, Presidents Award, Landmarks Illinois
Distinguished Building Award, American Institute of Architects, Chicago Chapter
Pillars of the Industry Award, Best Project of the Year, National Association of Home Builders
Pillars of the Industry Award, Best Adaptive Re-use of a Condominium Community, National Association of Home Builders
Builder’s Choice Design & Planning Award, Grand Award, from Builder Magazine
Good Neighbor Award, Chicago Association of Realtors