After years of ignoring its original warehouse aesthetic, due to a developer’s ‘apartmentizing’ of the building, this 2,400 square foot, two-story loft has been rehabilitated to show off its industrial roots. 

The first floor of the existing apartment suffered from a haphazard layout of rooms breaking the loft into several small spaces. The kitchen was oriented such that it severed light and air access to the rest of the unit. The new plan rearranged the kitchen (with some juggling of plumbing lines, no small feat with an occupied unit below) to be open to the living and family area while nearly tripling counter space. The kitchen is custom designed with a mix of stainless steel and white cabinets, marble counter (leftover pieces of the marble were used as a seat in the master bathroom shower), and stainless steel shelf.  In order to deliver natural light into the powder room a reclaimed, stainless steel, awning window was integrated into the north wall of cabinets. 

To share light with the formerly dark interior of the first floor the second level hallway flooring finish was removed and replaced with a series of glass panels inserted into the timber framing. The second bedroom is also designed with natural light in mind. The entry of the room features a sandblasted steel and glass door with an operable transom window.

The master suite was completely reconfigured to allow light to flood the master bathroom, and is accessed by a reclaimed, obscured glass and wood door. All existing walls in the master bedroom were removed so the separate functions could be defined by new custom millwork and closets which allow light to pass over into the bathroom and closet.

Additional details and photos on our blog

The Erie Street Loft was featured in CS Interiors, Apartment Therapy, and was awarded best renovation of 2011 on Curbed Chicago.