As part of the City of Chicago’s LaSalle Street Reimagined initiative, FitzGerald was engaged to reimagine the historic 105 West Adams Street, a landmarked 41-story, 560,000-square-foot office building near the heart of Chicago’s Loop. The project seeks to transform this iconic structure into a mixed-use property, integrating residential units within its existing framework while preserving the building’s architectural integrity and activating street-level spaces for the community.

The building presents ideal attributes for conversion to residential use, including modest floor plates, abundant natural light from ample windows, and stunning views of Chicago’s architecture. Surrounded by significant buildings and conveniently located near multiple transportation options, this site is well-positioned for urban living.

The conversion will retain the existing two stories of retail and amenities, as well as a nine-story hotel, which will continue operations. To enhance the pedestrian experience, FitzGerald has planned a unique indoor-outdoor arcade on the first and second levels. By setting back the retail storefronts, the design will create a sheltered open space along the street, inviting community interaction and providing a protected pedestrian area.

The remaining 333,000 square feet of the building will undergo a complete transformation into 29 floors of residential units, offering a mix of studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments. A dedicated indoor/outdoor amenity floor will serve residents, further enhancing the building’s appeal. Out of the 423 total residences, 127 units will be designated as affordable, providing essential housing options for households earning up to 60% of the area median income (AMI).

FitzGerald has been studying the feasibility of such conversions since 2016, balancing critical considerations such as unit layouts, vertical and horizontal circulation, life safety requirements, and building systems integration—all within the existing structural and operational constraints of a historic property. This comprehensive analysis is a crucial step in identifying the challenges and solutions needed to realize the potential of 105 West Adams Street as a vibrant, mixed-use community asset.