October 20, 1938: More than 99,500 customers poured into the aisles of a new art deco-inspired Sears store in the historic shopping district of Chicago, Ill. After closing its doors 80 years later, the site has been reborn as a mixed-use multifamily housing development.Ā
6 Corners Lofts at 4714 W Irving Park Road, Chicago, Ill., opened in March of 2024 as a 394,000-sf adaptive reuse project born out of a former Sears store. Designed by MG2, 6 Corners Lofts features 38 individual layouts among 206 luxury unitsāeach with access to the outsideāand 50,000 sf of retail space.
Adaptive Reuse Housing Amenities and Retail
Widows were punched out of the original building to create the residential units coupled with balconies. The project includes the addition of a five-story wing, as well as a fifth and roof/sixth floor over the original building.
A rooftop pool was added in addition to a fitness room, dog park, speakeasy, community room, and co-working space. The loft-style units include 14- to 16-foot ceilings on certain floors, stainless steel appliances, and in-unit laundry.
The team brought Target in on the ground floor as the retail provider. With the revitalization of Six Corners, the project team as well as the local community hope it can become the second-busiest shopping center it once was.
Development History
Novak Construction is both the developer and general contractor for 6 Corners Lofts. According to Pack Paschen, Executive Vice President of Development at Novak, keeping the famous faƧade and name of the building was essential.
āWe are excited to try to enhance the art deco look of it [and] do something that would complement it but not exactly match it,ā Paschen said in a 2021 article on the proposition of the revitalization.
The project was touted as a positive benefit to the economic development and businesses to the area at the time. Chicago politician Jim Gardiner led a virtual meeting of over 150 people on the project back in 2021.
While the community largely applauded the idea, some raised concern of the lack of affordable housing in the area. Six of the units are Affordable Requirements Ordinance (ARO) units.
On the Building Team:
Developer/Owner: Novak Development
Design Architect: MG2
Architect of Record: Kahler Slater
Structural Engineer: TGRWA Structural Engineers
Civil Engineer: RTM Engineering Consultants
MEP (Design-Assist): 20/10 Engineering Group
GC: Novak Construction
Related Stories
Multifamily Housing | Apr 17, 2023
World's largest multifamily building pursuing ILFI Zero Carbon certification under construction in Washington, D.C.
The Douglass, in Washington, D.C.ās Ward 8, is currently the largest multifamily housing project to pursue Zero Carbon Certification from the International Living Future Institute (ILFI).
Urban Planning | Apr 12, 2023
Watch: Trends in urban design for 2023, with James Corner Field Operations
Isabel Castilla, a Principal Designer with the landscape architecture firm James Corner Field Operations, discusses recent changes in clients' priorities about urban design, with a focus on her firm's recent projects.
Market Data | Apr 11, 2023
Construction crane count reaches all-time high in Q1 2023
Toronto, Seattle, Los Angeles, and Denver top the list of U.S/Canadian cities with the greatest number of fixed cranes on construction sites, according to Rider Levett Bucknall's RLB Crane Index for North America for Q1 2023.
Contractors | Apr 10, 2023
What makes prefabrication work? Factors every construction project should consider
There are many factors requiring careful consideration when determining whether a project is a good fit for prefabrication. JE Dunnās Brian Burkett breaks down the most important considerations.Ā
Mixed-Use | Apr 7, 2023
New Nashville mixed-use high-riseĀ features curved, stepped massing and wellness focus
Construction recently started on 5 City Blvd, a new 15-story office and mixed-use building in Nashville, Tenn. Located on a uniquely shaped site, the 730,000-sf structure features curved, stepped massing and amenities with a focus on wellness.
Affordable Housing | Mar 14, 2023
3 affordable housing projects that overcame building obstacles
These three developments faced certain obstacles during their building processesāfrom surrounding noise suppression to construction methodology.
Mixed-Use | Mar 11, 2023
Austin mixed-use development will provide two million sf of office, retail, and residential spaceĀ
In Austin, Texas, the seven-building East Riverside Gateway complex will provide a mixed-use community next to the cityās planned Blue Line light rail, which will connect the Austin Bergstrom International Airport with downtown Austin. Planned and designed by Steinberg Hart, the development will include over 2 million sf of office, retail, and residential space, as well as amenities, such as a large park, that are intended to draw tech workers and young families.Ā
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Feb 27, 2023
New 20,000-seat soccer stadium will anchor neighborhood development in Indianapolis
A new 20,000-seat soccer stadium for United Soccer Leagueās Indy Eleven will be the centerpiece of a major neighborhood development in Indianapolis. The development will transform the southwest quadrant of downtown Indianapolis by adding more than 600 apartments, 205,000 sf of office space, 197,000 sf for retail space and restaurants, parking garages, a hotel, and public plazas with green space.
Retail Centers | Feb 24, 2023
Santiago Calatrava unveils plans for a luxury retail and office complex in DĆ¼sseldorf, Germany
Renowned architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava, along with the CENTRUM Group, has unveiled plans for Calatrava Boulevard, a luxury retail and office complex in DĆ¼sseldorf, Germany. Running parallel to Kƶnigsallee and connecting with the Steinstrasse station, Calatrava Boulevard will incorporate and connect to the boulevardās existing buildings.
Mixed-Use | Feb 23, 2023
7 mixed-use developments that don't sacrifice housing affordability
Here are seven mixed-use, multifamily projects dedicated to providing affordable housing.
