The redeveloped Morton Salt warehouse complex has opened to the public along the Chicago River’s North Branch corridor. The new office and entertainment complex within the shell of the former factory in West Town is a project by a development partnership between R2 Companies, Blue Star Properties, and Skydeck.
Morton Salt redevelopment. Photo by Jack Crawford
Morton Salt redevelopment. Photo by Jack Crawford
Morton Salt redevelopment. Photo by Jack Crawford
The renovated Morton Salt site’s central shed houses the main gathering and event stage at 1357 N Elston Avenue. A new connecting corridor has also been built alongside the structure, while its roof retains the iconic Morton Salt signage. Morton Salt has also maintained tenant presence on site via R&D offices in the former packaging building just north of the entertainment shed. A food stand has been set up in the garage near the northeast corner for use during events.
Structures at Morton Salt Warehouse Complex. Image by CCL
The Lamar Johnson Collaborative designed the renovation project, which will largely maintain the building’s existing architectural features. Windows have been installed in the packaging building, replacing those that were previously bricked over. The iconic branded roof has also been replaced due to unsalvageable damage, though the logo has been replaced.
Morton Salt redevelopment. Photo by Jack Crawford
Morton Salt redevelopment. Photo by Jack Crawford
Morton Salt redevelopment. Photo by Jack Crawford
The closest bus service for Route 70 is just a short walk south at the Division & Elston intersection. The closest CTA Blue Line service can be found via a 13-minute walk west to Division station, while Metra service is accessible via a 17-minute walk northwest to Clybourn station.
Morton Salt redevelopment. Photo by Jack Crawford
Morton Salt redevelopment. Photo by Jack Crawford
With general contracting work carried out by Blue Star Properties, the now-open facility is currently hosting events and has completed on-schedule.
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This is very very cool. We used to party along the old canals in Shanghai in these cool industrial warehouses before they got gentrified and I always wished for one here. Will bring such a neat kind of foot traffic to the river.
The article was in depth and good. I sure wish the writer would have left out the roof has been replaced due to asbestos. It makes me think that I have been eating asbestos with my salt all my life
A very fair point! Probably should have been a little more vague with that one