Apartment Hunt: The Alfred’s
hidden herringbone hardwood,
marble staircase boost vintage charm
By Editor Chicago Tribune
A vintage office building just steps from the buzz of State Street has been transformed into 176 chic urban apartments.
Built in 1925 and formerly known as the Hartmann Building, it was renamed The Alfred after the building’s architect, Alfred S. Alschuler. He is better known for his design of the London Guarantee Building, a Chicago landmark that houses the LondonHouse Chicago Hotel at the southern end of the Michigan Avenue Bridge.
Developer Cedar Street retained many of the original architectural details while updating the building for a modern dweller. The project included restoration of the brick and terra cotta facade, and replacement of windows and mechanical systems. The residential floors were reconfigured, and the apartments were built out with new baths and kitchens. Left in place were exposed ceilings and many of the original light fixtures.
“We ripped this thing down to its shell, essentially,” says Mark Heffron, managing partner at Cedar Street. “We think we have a fun combination of finished elements and raw elements.”
Apartments at The Alfred range from studios to two bedrooms configured into 17 floor plans. They are located on floors 2 through 12.
All units are furnished with washers and dryers, window shades and closet organizers.