Lofts at River East
Chicago, Illinois
Originally constructed in 1905 as the Pugh Terminal Warehouse, this 547,000-square-foot building was converted in 1988 to office and retail use. FitzGerald led the mixed-use redevelopment, transforming the property to include apartments, restaurants, and retail spaces. Before this latest repositioning, retail performed well, but office tenancy had significantly declined. River East responded to the residential boom in the neighborhood by offering a unique product: authentic loft homes with heavy timber construction and original brick walls–a striking contrast to the area’s predominantly new-construction housing stock.
The six-story building, stretching over 625 feet, features extensive frontage on and access to the Ogden Slip. Its vast scale and existing structural conditions resulted in more than 75 unique floor plans. Once a bustling industrial pier, the site is now revitalized, capitalizing on its adjacency to the Chicago River, which has become a popular tourist and recreational waterway. The development includes pier-level patios for entertainment venues and boat docks for residents, visitors, and guests. The building’s riverfront setback allowed for the addition of balconies, providing generous outdoor spaces with unrivaled views.
The building has had several exterior appearances throughout its history, including a whitewashed finish during its industrial era and shaded facades when it housed the River East Art Center. Today, it has been restored to showcase its historic brick façade, enhancing the vibrancy of the surrounding corridor.
Project Highlights
NUMBER OF FLOORS
6
NUMBER OF UNITS
285
SERVICES PROVIDED
Architecture
CLIENT
AH River East, LLC
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229 Park Avenue