Revitalizing a 1920s Chicago Penthouse: Blending Heritage with Modern Living
A historic 1920s penthouse duplex in Chicago's Gold Coast, boasting impressive Art Deco features and stunning Lake Michigan views, recently underwent a significant transformation. Despite its inherent grandeur, the 8,000-square-foot residence lacked modern family amenities and intuitive spatial flow. Architect Joan Craig and her team at Craig & Company embarked on a 22-month-long gut renovation, meticulously balancing historical preservation with contemporary living needs. The extensive project delivered an updated home that seamlessly integrates 21st-century functionality without compromising its original charm and authenticity.
Reimagining a Historic Chicago Penthouse for Modern Family Life
In the vibrant Gold Coast Historic District of Chicago, an exquisite 1920s penthouse duplex, originally celebrated for its grand ceilings, Art Deco moldings, and breathtaking Lake Michigan panoramas, presented a unique challenge to its new owners. The expansive 8,000-square-foot dwelling, while aesthetically rich, was not optimized for a contemporary family's needs, lacking an informal dining area, exterior gathering spaces, a designated area for pets, and fluid connections between its numerous rooms.
Over a meticulous 22-month renovation period, architect Joan Craig and her dedicated team at Craig & Company undertook a comprehensive overhaul. Their primary objective was to infuse modern comfort and functionality into the historic structure, crafting a residence that respected its past while embracing a forward-looking design philosophy.
A central focus of the renovation was the kitchen, a space often targeted for modernization in older properties. Taylor Stein, an associate partner at Craig & Company, emphasized the goal of creating an adaptable living area: one that could either be open and free-flowing for family interaction or sectioned off for more private moments. This was particularly crucial for the clients, a family with four children, eager for spaces that encouraged togetherness. Achieving this vision necessitated the removal of several interior walls, a bold move that redefined the home's core.
Strategically, the team dismantled a rarely used service kitchen and the formal dining room on the upper level. This bold step made way for a more expansive and inviting kitchen, complete with a separate butler's pantry, and a more intimate dining room suitable for everyday use. A solarium, believed to be a 1960s or 70s addition, was replaced with a new family room and an enlarged terrace, effectively doubling the home's outdoor living area. The integration of hand-painted wallpaper-paneled pocket doors allowed for flexible division of the kitchen and dining room, while new windowed sliders and French doors blurred the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces. With all doors open, a carefully designed enfilade now guides natural light from east to west, creating a luminous and open environment. When closed, each room can offer privacy and intimacy, catering to gatherings of varying sizes, from casual family breakfasts to elegant dinner parties.
Beyond aesthetic and layout modifications, the renovation addressed crucial infrastructure. Molly Gray, co-founder of Gray Salt Construction, the Chicago-based general contractor, highlighted the strategic approach to upgrading the penthouse's internal systems. A separate demolition permit expedited the initial phases, allowing the design and architectural teams to refine construction documents concurrently. This foresight enabled early identification and resolution of unforeseen challenges within the historic walls.
The transformation also saw a complete overhaul of the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. While these components often remain hidden upon completion, they represent a significant portion of a historic renovation's complexity and cost. New air handlers, ductwork, electrical conduits, and updated water and gas lines were meticulously installed, often concealed behind custom hidden doors, panels, and mirrors, ensuring a sleek, modern finish. The 1920s apartment now boasts a sophisticated Crestron system, centralizing control over lighting, HVAC, audio, and security. Nathan Orsman, a New York-based architectural lighting designer, meticulously specified the extensive lighting and AV systems, incorporating nine Lutron dimming panels, six shade-control panels, and four keypad panels for seamless environmental control.
A critical aspect of the renovation involved navigating which historic elements to retain and which to adapt or replace. Joan Craig articulated this delicate balance as an ongoing dialogue, stressing the importance of evaluating the attachment to original materials. In this particular residence, the team conscientiously preserved the 15-foot-tall living room's crown moldings and paneling, the grand brass-and-glass laylight in the entry, and the fireplace, wrought-iron stair railings, and mezzanine railings in the double-height living room. Worn wood paneling was meticulously restored, and the original leaded-glass windows, prone to drafts, were augmented with new exterior storm windows to enhance efficiency. Where original trim was damaged or missing, advanced technology, including 3D models, was utilized to create precise replicas from wood or rubber, seamlessly blending new with old.
The design philosophy extended to new architectural details, which were meticulously crafted to echo existing historical elements. Stein explained that new door casings, crown molding profiles, base profiles, and paneling were all inspired by traces of the original moldings, ensuring sensitivity to the building's heritage. For instance, the majestic crown molding of the living room was subtly reinterpreted as a secondary crown in areas like the pantry, corridors, bathrooms, and master bedroom. In the entryway, newly laid terrazzo floors feature brass inlays that reference the apartment's original bronze detailing and the retrofitted LED laylight above, creating a cohesive design narrative. The double-height library, now serving as the husband's office, stands as a testament to this blend of old and new. Its restored wood paneling, finished in a deep purple lacquer—a nod to Northwestern University—and a locally carved marble mantel concealing an 84-inch television behind antique mirrored panels, perfectly illustrate how modern living can harmoniously coexist with historic fabric.
The interior design throughout the renovated residence aimed to mirror the architectural approach, creating spaces that were both compatible with the building's character and felt comfortable, relaxed, and inviting. The design inspiration drew from the expansive views of Lake Michigan, with a palette of gold, neutrals, and blues chosen to counteract Chicago's long, often gray winters. A striking example is the dining room's high-gloss lacquered walls in a bold peacock blue, a direct client request that ties together various spaces, reappearing on kitchen doors, the Brazilian quartzite backsplash, and in the powder room, the wife's office, and the living room. In the living room, flexible seating arrangements beneath restored beaded chandeliers, serendipitously rediscovered at a local antiques dealer, accommodate diverse social events, from Super Bowl parties to sophisticated cocktail soirées. This thoughtful and well-executed renovation truly allows for both formality and relaxation, proving that historic homes can evolve to meet contemporary demands without losing their soul.
This extensive and thoughtful renovation by Craig & Company showcases a masterful approach to updating a historic residence. The project not only addressed the practical needs of a modern family but also demonstrated a deep respect for the architectural integrity of the 1920s penthouse. By strategically blending historical preservation with cutting-edge technology and personalized design elements, the team created a home that is both functional and aesthetically magnificent. The success of this project serves as an inspiration for future historic renovations, highlighting the potential for old and new to coexist in a vibrant and harmonious manner, ultimately enriching the lives of its inhabitants.