Chicago Lofts, By Building

Chicago lofts sell by building name, so this platform is built the same way — one building file at a time: the history, the conversion, and what living there is actually like. Seven files are up; more are in research.

West LoopHaberdasher Square LoftsThe A.B. Dick headquarters, then Hart Schaffner & Marx — two factory buildings joined into one of the West Loop's first big conversions.Old TownCobbler SquareBicycles, then Dr. Scholl's shoes, then one of the city's landmark 1980s conversions — Old Town's industrial block, now rentals.West LoopRandolph PlaceA 1917 Butler Brothers catalog warehouse on the river's edge — one of the biggest loft conversions in the city at 341 homes.River NorthThe SextonA wholesale grocer's terra-cotta-trimmed plant from 1913, converted in 1999 with a tower added on top — timber lofts at serious scale.Fulton River DistrictThe China Club LoftsA vintage brick-and-timber warehouse that spent the late 80s as the China Club — converted in 1997, early for the Fulton corridor.Printers RowThe Donohue BuildingWhere Chicago loft living began — the 1883 printing house that became the city's first residential loft conversion in 1979.Printers RowThe Franklin BuildingThe 1916 printing house with the tiled facade — 'The First Impression' over the door — converted to 65 lofts in 1989.

Don't see your building? We are researching the next set now — ask about any named loft building and we'll move it up the list.

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