Student Housing Conversion

MacRostie Historic Advisors advised the owners of this 27-story office tower in Chicago's Loop on the tax-advantaged conversion of the building into a student residence for Columbia College. Completed in 1930 according to designs by Holabird & Root, the Art Deco-style Buckingham Building was by 2005 vacant, vandalized and in danger of demolition. Today, the Buckingham boasts 129 studio, one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments, totaling 456 beds, on the upper floors previously occupied by office suites; each living unit features ensuite laundry, full kitchens, and central heating and air conditioning. The marble-clad lobby with Art Deco ornamentation has been restored and a security desk sensitively installed.  A former commercial storefront space was converted to a lobby-level guest lounge with fireplace. The entire building is wired for high speed Internet and satellite television. 

Student-focused amenities such as a fitness center, business center, craft room, private and group study areas, private music practice room, bike storage, and an Internet café with flat screen TVs were carefully integrated into the historic building. A former mechanical and storage space on the 27th floor was transformed into a sky lounge with a pool table, gaming areas, and vending machines.  The building was fully occupied for Columbia's 2007-8 academic year. 

The Buckingham Building is individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a contributing structure to the Historic Michigan Boulevard District (a Chicago Landmark District).

MacRostie Historic Advisors LLC, 1400 16th Street, NW, Suite 420,
Washington, DC 20036, (202) 483-2020 tel / (202) 483-2080 fax
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