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A faithfully restored midcentury one-bedroom unit in Marina City asks $290K

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“It has been a labor of love,” says the condo’s architect owner

By Jay Koziarz
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A living room overlooking an urban balcony. The room has midcentury furniture including several colorful chairs, a media console, sofa, and coffee table.
The cozy 725-square-foot space offers downtown views and midcentury vibes.
Photos by VHT Studios, courtesy Brian Muir of Alto Realty

Perched on the 41st floor of the eastern tower of Chicago’s iconic Marina City complex, this thoughtfully restored one-bedroom condo faithfully celebrates the building’s midcentury modern roots.

“When we bought the unit, it was probably 98 percent original,” owner and architect Michael Jividen tells Curbed Chicago. “It had been a rental, so it was pretty worse for wear. We intended to restore as much as possible.”

Unlike many other Marina City renovations, the remodel kept the existing floorplan intact and avoided opening up the kitchen. Instead of repainting the original steel cabinets, the couple followed a more unusual (and durable) route and had them blasted and powder-coated by a Chicago-area auto shop.

The original vinyl flooring was long since removed, but Jividen and his wife looked to traces of left-over adhesive to help them select similarly-scaled 12 by 12-inch cork panels. New tile mosaic work in the kitchen and bathroom was based on the color of original tiles discovered during demolition.

“It’s like restoring a vintage car,” explains Jividen. “You want to repair as much as possible and use in-kind replacements for the things that can’t be saved.” Artistic liberties include refreshed kitchen appliances, stone countertops, and a new bathroom vanity. A selection of midcentury modern styled furniture completes the look.

As their family grew, the current owners quickly realized that they had outgrown their cozy 735-square-foot downtown space and listed the property for $290,000. “It has been a labor of love, and it is painful to sell,” Michael tells Curbed.

For buyers looking for a functional one-bedroom with authentic space-age vibes, this attractive Marina City example—complete with a northwest-facing balcony—might be hard to beat.

A living and dining space with colorful chairs and brown wood floor panels. A small entry foyer and kitchen door are visible down a short hallway on the left.
Although new, the cork flooring was inspired by the shape of the missing vinyl panels. The sliding bamboo screen between rooms is also an original.
A gray colored kitchen space with metal cabinets, stone counters, integrated range, and gray mosaic backsplash.
The compact kitchen benefits from new stone counters, appliances, and fresh powder coating on the steel cabinets.
A white-walled bedroom with a bed against the wall and a lamp and baby crib in the foreground. A door leads to an outdoor space overlooking a city.
The home’s single bedroom has its own door to the balcony.
A small bathroom with gray and yellow cabinets, black counter, and sliding mirror vanity. The toilet and shower are access through a separate door to the left.
The bathroom’s updated vanity includes extra built-in storage and a fresh tile backsplash inspired by the room’s original tilework.
A concrete, petal shaped balcony with a metal railing, two chairs, a small table, and a charcoal grill.
The downtown view from the building’s iconic curved balconies are tough to beat.
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Marina City

300 North State Street, , IL 60654

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