Mies van der Rohe Apartment

Chicago, Illinois

860–880 Lake Shore Drive is a twin pair of glass-and-steel apartment towers on North Lake Shore Drive in the Streeterville neighborhood along Chicago’s lakefront. German-born architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe designed the buildings, which were constructed between 1949 and 1951. The design is a revolutionary early example of steel and glass architecture and modern high rise living and is both a Chicago Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

When a one-bedroom city-facing apartment became available, the opportunity to reimagine the interior with a period-appropriate design approach presented itself. The existing oak parquet floors were restored, and the partially extant original bathroom was restored with vintage plumbing fixtures and replacement tile. The non-original kitchen space was opened and replaced with a midcentury General Electric “Wonder Kitchen.” The all-in-one kitchen center was sandblasted and powder coated, and completely re-wired.

After completion of the project, the unit was sold to a private owner.