Planned apartment conversion for Consumers & Century buildings adds more units

A plan to convert a pair of long-empty historic Chicago Loop office buildings into rental apartments is looking to move forward with a higher number of units than previously reported. According to a zoning application recently filed with the City of Chicago, the proposed redevelopment of 202-220 S. State Street as grown in density from 429 to 490 dwellings.

The multi-structure project includes the 1913 Consumers Building as well as the adjacent 1915 Century Building. After year of sitting empty and in the hands of the federal government’s General Services Administration, both properties are in the process of being sold to developer CA Ventures for a reported $10.4 million.

In addition to renovating the historic—but deteriorated—existing offices into new residences, the plan also calls for a glassy addition from Antunovich Associates to be constructed along the south side of the Holabird & Roche-designed Century Building.

According to its zoning application the complex will also deliver a combined 46,000 square feet worth of new retail space on State Street. While the project contains no on-site vehicular parking, it will provide at least one bicycle space per unit.

The redevelopment will need to pass the Chicago Plan Commission, Zoning Board, and full City Council before it can begin construction. If approved, it will join a growing number of downtown office-to-apartments projects like the Insurance Center Building at 330 S. Wells, the Hartman Building at 30 E. Adams, the Plymouth Building at 417 S. Dearborn, and the Johnson Publishing Building at 200 S. Michigan.

• Hundreds of apartments planned for the Loop’s Century & Consumers buildings [Curbed Chicago]
• Previous Loop coverage [Curbed Chicago]