Redevelopment of IIT’s historic Main Building moving forward

The Illinois Institute of Technology announced this afternoon that the sale of its historic Main Building at 3300 S. Federal Street has officially closed, allowing the building’s redevelopment as new housing to move forward. Designed by the architects Patten & Fisher in 1881 and completed in 1883, the red brick Richardsonian Romanesque structure will feature 102 apartments when completed. The makeup of the residences will be largely composed of studio and one-bedroom units.

Designated as a Chicago Landmark in 2004, the Main Building will be renovated in a manner sensitive to historic preservation. According to the announcement from IIT, the project’s developer—a joint partnership between Washington Park Development Group and MCM Company, Inc.—will renovate important architectural features such as the building facade, its roof, and stained glass windows.

However, with its new life as a residential development comes some new amenities. In addition to new loft-style apartments, the redeveloped Main Building will feature extras like a fitness center, a community room, bicycle storage, and a new rooftop deck. The architects at Chicago’s Pappageorge Haymes Partners have been tapped to lead the design duties for the renovation and restoration project.

The project is just one of several high-profile developments for the Bronzeville community, an area that is predicted to see continued growth and new investment over the coming years. “We are thrilled that Main Building will be renovated in a way that contributes to our community as well as the vibrancy of our campus life,” Illinois Tech President Alan W. Cramb said in the statement.

• IIT's Historic Main Building to be Restored as Housing [Curbed Chicago]