Quote:
Originally Posted by Swicago Swi Sox
The Fairbanks Building (240 E Illinois) was a halted project (from around 2000) that was finished later (around 2007). The original project only built parking (much like waterview tower) for a much taller square tower. They were able to convert the parking spaces on the south face into units because the ramps were all on the North Bay and Center Bay. I remember touring that building when it was under construction. They had the stud walls up framing the units, but no flooring yet, so you could still see the yellow lines of the parking spots. They dealt with the low floor to floor heights by making those units "Lofts" with exposed mechanical. The biggest downside is that the crash walls were actually up-turned concrete beams that could not easily be removed, so the balconies edge does not have a glass or slat railing, instead it is a 2'-0" thick concrete beam.
Here is a listing with photos where you can see some of the parking sructure:
https://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/24.../home/28622421 |
Very cool.
Makes you wonder how many other parking garages in the city have areas in the garage that could be converted into attractive loft apartments.