New lobby, rooftop of Johnson Publishing building note history of Chicago landmark

After sitting vacant for several years, the South Loop’s Johnson Publishing Building was acquired by a developer which had plans for apartments. The former Ebony and Jet magazine headquarters opened with 150 apartments in April, and much of the new space embraces the Chicago landmark’s history.

In 1971, architect John Moutoussamy designed the 11-story building on Michigan Avenue. He studied under the modernist Mies van der Rohe at the Illinois Institute of Technology. The Johnson Publishing building is also significant because it is the first and only downtown high-rise built by an African American. In 2017, it was designated at a city landmark.

When 3L Real Estate acquired the building in 2017, it made it a priority to preserve the character by maintaining the rooftop sign and other ’70s finishes.

For example, the lobby now today has similar rounded-edge wood paneling as it did when it opened, according to Crain’s. Some of the textiles, such as the area rug in the lobby, were recreated from original carpet designs. Other details like a vibrant, striped elevator and a framed gallery wall of Ebony covers will honor the history.

The tribute is exactly that, not a time capsule, according to Crain’s. The bold patterns, decorative wallpaper, and bright colors of the ’70s are hinted at but not preserved. However, the psychedelic test kitchen for Ebony magazine was salvaged from the building for a touring exhibit.