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The main lobby paneling received a facelift. Our design team persuaded the clients to paint out the existing ceiling trim white to make the room less heavy, and show off the vintage iron chandeliers. A new marble hearth and fresh paint strengthen the focal point of the fireplace, flanked by new upholstery. An island sofa from Stylex gives plenty of seating for waiting residents in what used to be just a pass-thru room which had only uncomfortable benches pressed against the wood walls.

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Loyola Avenue

When our client, Laramar Group, acquired a vintage apartment building bordering Loyola University, just steps from Lake Michigan, updates had not been done in many years. They wanted to freshen up the look of the common spaces, and create additional amenity space out of underutilized back of house areas. Remodeling work occurred on both the ground floor and top level of the building, with a strong desire to maintain the building’s ornamental and vintage details along the way.

Work on the ground level was comprised of an entry vestibule, the main lobby, an elevator lobby with an adjacent mail room, a small window nook with bench seating, and annexed two storage rooms for more communal space. Original wood paneling, plaster details of cards and half-timbering were restored, balanced by new white hex ceramic mosaic flooring. Unique French doors were repurposed as sliding doors, and vintage iron gates were salvaged from another part of the building. Wrought iron lighting fixtures were reused, sometimes remaining in place and sometimes relocated. The fireplace was enhanced by a new marble hearth, creating a bright focal point at the end of the room and playing off the new white ceilings. In contrast, the groin vaulted ceiling in the elevator lobby received a dramatic slate grey paint, accentuating the arches further. A violet veined marble bar was created in the entry nook, while a pop of color in the new drum fixture draws interest in from the outside at night.

The concept for the palette of materials was envisioned as if a band of Bohemians had taken over an abandoned Victorian hotel in Manhattan. Subtle purples and reds of the existing slate floor inspired the new palette of colors, becoming more intense to give the space a modern feel. Tones of violet and magenta were dialed up in the upholstery, while details like wall mounted game boards, massive sectional sofas and recovered vintage library chairs rounded out the modern Bohemian feel.

A separate space on the building’s top floor was reopened as a multi-functional common space for residents. The lavenders of the ground floor color palette take over as bold purples and the intense reds fade to lighter pinks. Existing radiators, one functioning and one disconnected, where both painted bright purple calling attention to the new casement windows added to maximize natural light and provide uncluttered views of Lake Michigan to the east and the sunsets to the west. The shocking colors are tempered by bright white walls, new grey LVT flooring and black accents. New moldings and vintage inspired ceiling fixtures in a geometric pattern mimic the board games from below.

A large sectional anchors the center of the room, while lounge chairs in another area form a casual meeting space around a large coffee table. At the opposite end, a gaming area is formed around an over-sized Scrabble board. A semi-enclosed work space created of Buzzi space “picnic” tables at offset heights provides two layers of function paired with seating in an iron black. The half-wall is capped with the same violet veined marble from the ground floor.

The completed renovations present a fresh, curated atmosphere more compatible to newer properties, but for residents seeking a vintage building experience. By annexing underutilized storage space, the overall common area square footage was almost doubled, providing residents with more functional amenity space in a variety of settings.

Status: Built
Location: Chicago, IL, US
Firm Role: Architect
Additional Credits: Photography by Petra Ford

This existing alcove off the main lobby was initially outfitted with a bench along the window wall, which concealed radiator piping and faced into the small room. We flipped the focus back through the windows, toward the lively residential street. Envisioned as a nook to work on a laptop, read, or just watch the world go by while having a coffee, the piping is now concealed by a foot rest in violet veined marble matching the new bar. New padded black stools play off the steel window frames, and a pop of color in the new drum fixture draws interest from the outside at night.

A view from the lobby fireplace back toward the building entry at left and the elevator lobby at right terminates in vintage iron gates that were salvaged from another part the building. Tones of violet and magenta from the slate floor are dialed up in the upholstery. Bright red bases on oversize floor lamps activate lost corners isolated by the traffic path through the room.

To contrast with the main lobby, the groin vault ceiling in the elevator lobby was painted a deep charcoal. The effect is a very dramatic and intimate waiting area. Accentuating the arches further, a large mirror was added opposite the mail room.

A former storage room off the lobby was transformed into a conversation lounge. The original doors leading to the lobby were re-purposed as sliding doors to accommodate a raised floor level connecting this area with a residential corridor. Half-timbered walls with suits of playing cards were restored and inspired the tones in the velvet accents. Another large sectional from Stylex lines one full wall and is covered in an embroidered Xorel fabric for durability against spills in this secluded enclave.

Within the lounge vintage library chairs were recovered in an opulent velvet with a heavy pattern. Marble occasional tables can be pulled up as needed. New white hex tile balances the heavy wood stain and ties into the existing flooring from the connection corridor beyond.

This intimate meeting room was created from another existing storage space. The window frames were painted black in keeping with the steel exterior windows. A modern patterned velvet makes a bold statement against the neutral Interface carpet tiles, while the game boards and new iron fixture hint at elements in the other rooms.

Lounge chairs form a casual meeting space around a large coffee table. At the opposite end, another gaming area is formed around an oversized Scrabble board. The existing radiators, one functioning and one not, where both painted bright purple calling attention to the side walls and views to the lake and the city.

A separate space on the building’s top floor was reopened as a multi-functional common space for residents. Again, a large sectional anchors the center of the room, which has doors leading to roof decks on the east and the west. At the far end, the marble from downstairs appears again as a wall shelf for setting drinks by the foosball table. Reproduction light fixtures create a pattern on the ceiling extending the gaming theme.

Toward the front of the room, an awkward notch in the wall creates an opportunity for a semi-enclosed work space. Buzzi space “picnic” tables at offset heights provide two layers of function paired with seating in an iron black. The half-wall is capped with the same violet veined marble.