We’re longtime fans of Odyssey Lofts, W Developments, LLC‘s conversion of a storage and office building at 775 W Jackson Blvd, right along the main drag in Greektown. We voted it Chicago’s best new loft development in 2006.
The 60-unit project will start closings in the next couple of weeks, so we stopped by yesterday to see how work is coming along. Plenty of dust is still flying, as you can see from these photographs, but it’s possible to get a good sense of what these lofts will be like when they get cleaned up and the paper covering comes off the hardwood floors.
Lofty features include exposed brick and ductwork – one unit we saw had an interesting tangle of pipes right above the kitchen. Sandblasted timber ceilings of about 14 feet keep even the smaller units (one-bedrooms start at 740 square feet) from feeling cramped. The floor plans, designed by interior architect Hirsch Associates, are generally well configured, with good access to natural light.
Floors two through six have one- and two-bedroom units, some with dens. The developer has also added two stories of new construction to the top of the building. The three-bedroom units on these floors will have drywalled ceilings, which on the top level slant upward to the northern and southern rooflines. And they come just four to a floor, giving each a corner exposure.
With the exception of a couple of units that have terraces, all come with balconies. The views, over the cityscape in all directions, are both gritty and uplifting. From the east, the building overlooks I90/ 94 and the mesmerizing pattern of cars merging and exiting.
Barbara Buchel, of Jameson Realty Group, has the 17 remaining units priced from the $270s to the $620s.
