If you like the loft aesthetic — timber, brick, concrete, high ceilings, big windows, etc. — but also want a home that feels new, you’ll probably gravitate toward the city’s most recent loft conversions, where you’re more likely to find that holy trinity of granite countertops, 42-inch cabinets, and stainless steel appliances.
Several of those buildings were in the southern half of the South Loop, including Motor Row Lofts at 2303 S Michigan Ave and Chess Lofts at 320 E 21st St. At both developments, you can find a two-bedroom loft with two or more bedrooms for just under $2,000 a month.
Unit #216 at Motor Row (left), priced at $1,950, has 1,418 square feet, two full bath, and two half-baths. It’s a timber loft featuring 14-foot ceiling heights, a gas fireplace, in-unit laundry, a 16-foot balcony, and access to the building’s courtyard patio. Parking is available for an additional $150.
For $1,995, you can rent unit #210 at Chess Lofts (right), an 1,175 square-foot concrete loft with two bathrooms. The home features in-unit laundry and a balcony, but perhaps its biggest draw a renter (especially one who’s considering a roommate) is that both of its bedrooms are fully enclosed and have windows, instead of having partial-height walls and limited natural light. Parking is available for an additional $150.