Dense urban housing is not only possible, but can be done efficiently.
Located on a quiet street in the heart of Chicago’s West Loop, 15 Elizabeth represents an efficient and economical approach to urban infill. The project features five 2-3 bedroom units and two penthouses, each designed to connect its inhabitants to the surrounding landscape within an atmosphere of privacy and repose. Residents enjoy a wealth of amenities at 15 Elizabeth. With exterior balconies, terraces, and rooftop decks, there’s ample outdoor space for relaxation and city views. the project balances convenient access to green space, world-class restaurants, excellent schools, boutiques, culture, and more. With bold, efficient minimalism, it expresses its urban environs while providing ample space to celebrate, inspire, and renew.
The units are designed to connect people, place, and landscape. Each one features dedicated elevator access that opens to the foyer and spacious open-concept living–kitchen area. Ceiling truss accents define the spaces while wide plank oak flooring and glass expanses seamlessly integrate the interiors with the larger urban, social and environmental fabric.
The two-story penthouses feature floor-to-ceiling windows, high-end finishes, three outdoor terraces, and roof decks revealing the West Loop in all directions. Bathed in natural light during the day, and framing the urban horizon by night, each provides continuous views of the surrounding context within an atmosphere of privacy and repose.
The design draws from the historic industrial vernacular, adopting steel and glass as its principal materials for an authentic curb appeal. The exterior inspired the project’s marketing tagline: “Powerful Simplicity. Boldly Stated. THE WEST LOOP’S NEXT AESTHETIC.” The facade is composed of a series of shifting corrugated metal planes placed according to the natural light and transparency requirements of the units.
The project is lean and direct with an efficient and economical form. 15 Elizabeth proves that dense urban infill housing is not only viable but can provide the connections to daylight and nature that residents need to feel ‘alive’ with privacy and a sense of enclosure to feel safe and at home. The project further proves that this is all possible within the limits of a for-profit developer’s budget.