UNIT 514 SUNNY & SPACIOUS TIMBER LOFT STUDIO!
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River West Lofts
Building History
The J.P Smith Shoe factory has stood at the corner of Huron and Sangamon for well over a century. It was constructed in two phases and intended specifically for the purpose of manufacturing shoes.
At the time of it’s construction, it was the first of it’s kind to be built with steel framework allowing the use of oversized, sash windows. An abundance of sunlight provided factory workers natural light throughout the work day as benches and desks were situated near the windows.
In 1985 the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Register highlights “the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, and construction method” to cement it’s historic significance.
Evolution of a Space
A Conversion Story
From Industrial to Residential
After it’s golden days as a manufacturing facility, the building has functioned as a school, storage, and other make-shift facilities before it’s opening as a residence in 1988.
During the mid 1980’s the River West neighborhood was inhabited mostly by artists attracted to large warehouse spaces that could be shared, worked in, and lived in. Before it’s launch as a proper residence the J.P Smith Shoe Factory was inhabited by those artists looking to capitalize of the low cost per square foot.
The building was purchased by developers in 1983 but it was years before the project had the financial support to begin. Investors were skeptical about funding a project as pioneering as loft development. “Loft-life” was relatively new to the mainstream renter and it was considered an investment risk.
However, in the spirit of it’s original cutting-edge construction the stage for “loft-living was set and the opening of River West Lofts was about to launch loft-life into the mainstream market. Renovation began in 1987 and by March of 1988 the first leases began selling for between $450 and $1250 per month.
The images to the right show the renovation project in full swing.
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Completion of a Journey
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As It Stands Today
The Cornerstone of a Neighborhood
Over 100 years later the J.P Smith Shoe Factory known otherwise as River West Lofts still stands as a beacon symbolic of it’s era. The diligence, planning, and vision of the building’s owner and management team has stood the test of time. River West Lofts maintains it’s century-old charm with original oak floor boards, exposed brick, concrete beams, and piping.
The loft renter is looking for something extraordinary and unconventional. Despite it’s rugged past and industrial accents, River West Lofts presents the renter with a balanced juxtaposition of history, old-world charm, and contemporary living space. Keeping with it’s creative spirit it’s no surprise that artists still flock to the space. But it’s not just creatives who call us home. It’s people from all walks of life and all corners of the world who have chosen to make River West Lofts their home.
The images to the left show the building in it’s current state; modern, historic, and full of character.
