A 114-Year-Old Chicago Loft Building Could Become 70 Apartments. Here's What's Planned in the South Loop

SOUTH LOOP, CHICAGO—Another historic Chicago office building could soon get a new purpose, this time bringing 70 apartments to the northern edge of the South Loop.

Developer Senco Properties has revealed plans to convert the seven-story building at 601 S. LaSalle Street, near the intersection of Harrison Street, into residential housing with rooftop amenities, coworking spaces and a fitness center.

Built around 1912, the heavy-timber structure originally served the printing industry before becoming office space.

The redevelopment is still awaiting city approvals, but it represents another example of Downtown Chicago's shift toward converting older commercial buildings into housing.

What's Planned for 601 S. LaSalle Street?

Elevation of 601 S LaSalle St by FitzGerald

Senco Properties, which reportedly acquired the building earlier in 2026 for approximately $3.3 million, is working with architecture firm FitzGerald on the proposed conversion.

The plans call for 70 apartments across the existing seven-story structure, offering a range of layouts.

Apartment Type	Planned Units
Studios	8
One-bedroom	28
One-bedroom plus additional space	10
Two-bedroom	18
Three-bedroom	5
Four-bedroom	1
Total	70

The ground floor would include six apartments, along with a residential entrance and package room facing Harrison Street.

Residents would also have access to several planned amenities:

Fitness center with sauna and yoga facilities.
Coworking lounge with private workspaces.
Rooftop lounge and outdoor deck for residents.
Dog wash station and tenant storage.
70 bicycle parking spaces within the building.

One notable feature is what the project won't include: there are no planned car parking spaces or ground-floor retail areas.

Instead, the building would focus entirely on residential use and shared amenities.

Why This Historic Building Is Being Converted Into Housing

The proposed redevelopment would give a former commercial property a new residential purpose while retaining its existing structure.

The building dates to Chicago's early 20th-century printing industry, when the area around today's Printers Row was home to publishers, printing companies and warehouses.

As printing operations gradually left Downtown Chicago, many former industrial buildings were converted into offices, apartments and condominiums.

That history is still visible throughout the neighborhood, where brick buildings, large windows and former industrial interiors contribute to its architectural character.

The 601 S. LaSalle proposal continues that tradition of adaptive reuse.

Rather than demolishing the building for a new residential tower, the developer intends to transform its existing floors into apartments.

It's also part of a broader Downtown trend, as property owners reconsider how older office buildings can be used amid changing demand for commercial space.

Why the Project Has No Planned Car Parking

The decision to provide 70 bicycle spaces but no car parking is particularly notable for a residential building of this size.

Its location near the Loop gives future residents access to several transportation options.

The nearby CTA LaSalle Blue Line station provides connections through Downtown and toward other parts of Chicago, while LaSalle Street Station serves Metra's Rock Island Line.

Residents would also be within reach of Downtown offices, restaurants, shopping and neighborhood amenities.

For renters who regularly use public transportation or work Downtown, living without a dedicated parking space may be practical.

However, the absence of onsite parking could be an important drawback for households that own vehicles or frequently travel outside areas served by transit.

The project's appeal will likely depend partly on how prospective residents balance location, transportation and housing costs.

What Approvals Are Still Needed?

Although architectural plans have been revealed, the conversion has not yet received the necessary zoning approvals to move forward with construction.

The developer is seeking two approvals from Chicago's Zoning Board of Appeals:

Special use approval to convert the existing office building into a 70-unit residential property, including ground-floor apartments.
A zoning variation to eliminate the required off-street loading space.

A public hearing notice lists the applications for consideration on November 20, 2026.

If the necessary approvals are granted, the development team could proceed with construction permitting and subsequent work.

No confirmed construction start, completion date, rental pricing or leasing schedule has been announced.

The proposed apartments are not currently confirmed as available to rent or purchase.

How the Conversion Fits Into the South Loop's Changing Housing Market

The redevelopment would add housing near Printers Row, an area that has experienced decades of residential reinvestment.

Just south of the proposed conversion, the Straits Row development at 633 S. LaSalle Street opened in 2025, introducing a mix of traditional apartments and co-living accommodations.

Other former office and loft properties throughout the South Loop have also been considered for residential reuse.

For renters, the proposed 601 S. LaSalle project could eventually introduce additional housing options in a location close to transit and Downtown employment centers.

For buyers, the development highlights the neighborhood's changing residential landscape, although these 70 planned apartments should not be confused with condominiums being offered for sale.

People considering purchasing an existing South Loop condo should continue to compare building finances, HOA assessments, parking availability and property condition.

For nearby residents, converting office space into apartments could eventually bring more households to the neighborhood and additional potential customers for local businesses.

However, the project's impact on surrounding rents or home values cannot be determined from the proposal alone.

The next important step is securing the required city approvals before construction can begin.

Explore South Loop Living Beyond New Developments

From historic loft buildings and established condominium communities to newer residential towers, South Loop offers a variety of housing options near Downtown Chicago.

For buyers and relocation clients, understanding the differences between buildings, neighborhood amenities and transportation access is an important part of choosing where to live.

The Cory Tanzer Group at Option Premier helps buyers, sellers and renters navigate Chicago's housing market with local neighborhood knowledge and personalized guidance.

Considering a move to South Loop or Printers Row? Connect with our team to explore available homes, compare buildings and understand current neighborhood market conditions.

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