YoChicago reader Devyn reports that Millennium Park Lofts (formerly known as 20 N State) was built in 1928 and once housed a Woolworth store on the ground floor. Devyn believes Woolworths used the upper floors as a warehouse.
This New Yorker story we found mentions infomercial star Ron Popeil, whose good looks used to “mesmerize secretaries” as he demonstrated his electric food dehydrator and other kitchen gadgets at the Woolworth store on State Street.
The building at 20 N State St was converted to lofts in 2003, and Devyn says that the condo board decided to rename the development Millennium Park Lofts in 2005.
The 106-unit building is in a great location, close to Marshall Field’s – er, Macy’s, and a bunch of other downtown attractions. But as Devyn points out, Millennium Park is two blocks away, and the units don’t look over the park.
When Devyn pulled up the carpet, he discovered the outlines of the warehouse’s original walkways and shelving units. That must have been interesting.
Alison, A bit more detail, the lofts are all concrete lofts with 12-16 ft ceilings, and most have exposed brick.
I wasn’t aware of the web page on my building for “Luxury Loft Condo Rentals”. It kinda makes me a bit sick to my stomach… Not that I didn’t know that most of my neighbors (in this condo building) don’t own their homes.
So basically, investor-owners are marketing it as a rental building? Wonder how often that goes on. I gather it doesn’t make you very happy.
It is frustrating for those who genuinely want to live in the building and are not in it just to make money.
Are you not happy with the quality of the renters? I can understand the frictions involved if that’s the case, but as a downtown renter, we’re not all bad…
Most of the renters have been fine, but we have had more than our fair share of tenants moving in and out at 3AM, Furtune Tellers running illegal business out of their apartments (and letting anybody in from the street), beer bottles and vomit in the elevator, garbage in the lobby, key scratches on the walls in the hallways, and I could to on…
While not impossible, it isn’t likely that these problems are comming from resident owners. The board doesn’t issue fines, because they would be fining themselves.
sounds like the rent might not be high enough…
the bottles and puke and garbage and damage I understand, but fortune tellers? I’m going to have to look out for that in my building…
Re: fortune tellers…I don’t patronize them myself, but I was under the impression that psychics, astrologers, etc. are very much a part of the younger generations’ culture nowadays and would naturally have a built-in audience among new city-dwellers.