Plans have been revealed for the residential conversion of the remaining office floors within the Pittsfield Building at 55 E Washington Street in The Loop. Located on the corner with S Wabash Avenue, the art-deco meets gothic style skyscraper already contains units on some of its floors. Developer Tom Liravongsa is leading the new redevelopment efforts.
Historical site map of Pittsfield Building via Chicago Landmarks
The 38-story Pittsfield Building was originally completed in 1927 rising 551 feet in height, making it the tallest tower in the city at the time. Designed by Graham, Anderson, Probst and White known for the Wrigley Building, Field Museum, Civic Opera House, and more. Originally it was built for medical and dental offices and labs by the heirs of Marshall Field.
View of current elevators (Marc Realty) via Rent Cafe
View of current units (Marc Realty) via Rent Cafe
The Pittsfield operated as an office building until 2000, when a developer bought it and sold off floors 13 to 21 to Marc Realty who converted it into 228 units per the new zoning application. The remaining floors continued as office space and went through multiple bankruptcies and lawsuits that killed previous redevelopment plans which included hotel and residential.
Proposed ground plan for Pittsfield Building via committee on zoning
Plans submitted to the zoning committee calls for the conversion of the remaining floors into 214 units, of which 43 will be considered on-site affordable. Currently, the unit make-up is unknown but the plans do show a three-story penthouse and added outdoor decks at the tower’s setback on the 23rd floor. Additional amenities will most likely be included.
Proposed floor plans for Pittsfield Building via committee on zoning
Proposed elevations for Pittsfield Building via committee on zoning
Once the work is completed, the building will contain 442 units in total including those by Marc Realty. Marc Realty has also already approved the new plans and granted Tom Liravongsa and his team permission to take any legal action on behalf of the building as long as his units are not disturbed. Plans will be reviewed at the next meeting, with no timeline currently known.
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This is great news. This will give new life to another classic building.
The Pittsfield Cafe is not part of this refurbishment? That place has great food!
Hey Frank! It is not, its space is being preserved which I am happy about as someone who loves their breakfast.
Thanks Ian! I was just surprised that the café was not mentioned in the story. It is arguably the best part of the current building!
Totally understandable! I had a blurb about it in there originally but cut it last minute. But good to know information like that is enjoyed by you guys! Will include it next time.
It’s great that this classic building will have a new life, terrible that the interior finishes, (kitchen as shown), are not only mediocre, but don’t speak to the classic period architecture. White laminate would have been at a minimum been better than this 1980s home depot display.
My doctor’s office was in that building, and like so many other old buildings, the interiors were very basic. At least our doctor’s office was. So there wasn’t much for the developer to work with. My assumption is that the new units will be a blank slate for the unit owners can remake into whatever they want.
*to remake into any . . .
The unit in the photo was trendy and stylish when it was converted into in 2000, especially if they were/are rentals. For example, I finally saw the inside of a rental apartment in the Aqua and the fixtures and finshishes inside the unit were beyond generic.
People quickly forgot beans, rice, and noodles in aesthetically organized glass jars were a thing. No intention of ever using it, of course. Also the fun bottles of pickled veggies in colorful layers meant to occupy upper cabinets and dingey granite corners.
The units are dated, but were stylish at some point. The cycle continues…
Was the Pittsfield built initially as an intended medical/dental office building, and if so, I find it interesting that it wasn’t generically named the Medical Arts building.
All I can say is that the Pittsfield Café in the lobby is incredible. Highly recommend for breakfast and brunch!
I remember when the first few floors, and basement, were the Marshall Fields Men’s Store !
Those were across Wabash in the Marshall Field Annex at 25 E Washington.
Oh, the Loop’s glory days are so fondly remembered!
25 E Washington was this the Field’s men’s store.
Awesome news. How many residential conversions are moving forward this year and next in the loop and loop adjacent now? I feel like it’s been a major project a month for a while now being announced.
Hope they don’t mess with the classic lobby.
Richard, thank you very much for the correction. My old memory was in error. Apparently I can’t delete my incorrect post.