Initial details have been revealed for the residential conversion of the former office building at 50 E Superior Street in River North. Located mid-block between N Rush Street and N Wabash Avenue, the existing structure—and the surrounding row homes—was previously set to be demolished to make way for a new skyscraper.
Site map of 50 E Superior Street via Google Maps
While not much is known about the seven-story building, we do know it was originally used by the Western Methodist Book Concern as its Chicago warehouse and facility. Over the years, it changed hands until it was rezoned in 2017 for a much denser project: a 60-story residential skyscraper. However, after the local alderman rejected the proposal, the site remained in limbo.
PREVIOUS rendering of skyscraper proposal on site
Now, after years of lawsuits, the building has been purchased for $5.7 million by local developers Honore Properties and Peerless Development. They plan to convert the structure into 90 residential units, most likely consisting of studios through two-bedroom layouts. These will take advantage of the large existing lightwell that cuts through the center of the structure.
View of 50 E Superior Street via JLL
Because this is being built as-of-right, there will be no required affordable units on-site, nor will there be any community reviews or approvals. The conversion follows a trend seen across much of the city’s urban core over the past two years, adding much-needed housing. At the moment, no timeline is known.
Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail
Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates
Like YIMBY on Facebook
Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews
Re submit the 60 story planned building and get real density .
Those blocks are already insanely crowded with cars. A 60 story building would only add to that confusion and not improve the character of the area – already ruined with massive multi-story parking lots, podiums, etc. This is a handsome building that adds to the human scale of the street – plus the historic houses next to it. This is a win for River North.
Happy to see more housing downtown.
Nice to see 90 units added to an existing structure
Down to 2 articles a day. We are now like Philadelphia Yimby.
You’re not wrong.
That’s because Chicago is becoming Philadelphia.
Far better than a tower imo. I’m so sick of towers and large podiums. I would much rather see street activation and historic preservation in these areas. Save the high-rise development for undeveloped or underutilized lots.
I am thrilled that this building will be preserved. That said, a 60-story building in that area would not be the end of the world.
They were previously doing three articles. What made that the threshold? If two articles disturb you, find a better way to contribute.
With the job market being the way it is you are going to have a bunch of empty buildings sitting and the crime in Chicago is making a lot of people move
This is great news. Not only are we saving existing buildings, we’re repurposing some of our more interesting buildings. Given increasing office space vacancy and the increasing cost of materials, especially with tariffs, I’m guessing this will be how we add housing downtown in the future. Love that it’s happening in the loop, too, especially on LaSalle St. we may see less cranes, but we’ll still see development.
very nice!
A million years ago (well, 57 years, anyway) when I was in publishing, this area was full of printing plants. Used to go to Chicago to proofread the convention issue of a magazine I did advertising production on. Poole Brothers Printing was in this area. Massive 5-story building which literally swayed back and forth when at the flatbed sheetfed printing machines were working. Swaying lights made people seasick!
Thrilled with this! Keeping the building and retrofitting is a better idea than a new tower. The neighborhood has charming spots, thinner streets- this will suit it better.