From Retail to Residential: The Transformation of a Chicago Sears Store
Designer Jooyeol Oh of MG2 takes us behind the scenes of this adaptive-reuse project.
A Chicago landmark has taken on a new life. After lying vacant for several years, a former Sears store and warehouse at the northeast corner of Irving Park and Cicero Avenue has been converted into a luxury community dubbed 6 Corners Lofts. However, the property maintained a ground-floor retail component, anchored by Target.
Designed by Nimmons, Carr & Wright with Art Deco features, the original Sears building came online in 1938 at 4714 W. Irving Park Road. The department store had the largest display window in the city at that time, but few other sources of natural light.
After eight decades, the property closed and was among the 265 stores sold by Seritage Growth Properties, the real estate investment trust that spun out of Sears Holdings in 2015. Novak Construction paid $11.5 million for the asset and then proposed the residential conversion of the building. Architectural design firm MG2 was brought on board to breathe new life into the old retail property. The $90 million adaptive-reuse project involved the addition of windows and balconies, as well as the construction of a new 31-unit wing, among others.
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The five-story redevelopment came online earlier this year, featuring 206 units—six of which being affordable—as well as more than 50,000 square feet of retail space and 300 parking spaces.
Multi-Housing News talked to MG2 Principal Jooyeol Oh about the adaptive-reuse process at the Sears building and the impact 6 Corners Lofts will have on the city’s Portage Park area.
What made you decide to take on this project?
Oh: All architects, I would venture, want to design a project in Chicago. The city has such a rich architectural history. That aside, we loved the idea of getting a chance to revitalize a neighborhood. Plus, historical preservation and conversions are great challenges, but also wonderful opportunities.
What were some of the challenges you encountered while converting this retail property for residential use?
Oh: The Sears department store and warehouse had few windows. It was essentially a solid box with a large, deep rectangular retail floorplate—not ideal for residential use. This is a common challenge when converting office or warehouse buildings into residential spaces. In addition to the floorplate depth, elevators, staircases, window placements, as well as mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, all had to be reworked to transform the building for residential purposes.
Tell us more about the preservation of the building’s Art Deco elements and the methods used to bridge the gap between the original design and the features of a contemporary space.
Oh: The Six Corners Shopping District has a long history as a popular and successful neighborhood shopping and entertainment destination serving the community. Preserving the character of one of its most beloved landmarks was a crucial consideration for us.
There were three main design elements we wanted to highlight: the vernacular architecture of the surrounding brick buildings, the juxtaposition of old and new, and a celebration of the Art Deco style.
The windows were its most predominant Deco feature. However, much of the structure consisted of blank, solid walls. To emphasize the applied decoration typical of style, we extended linear forms vertically, incorporating rows of tall glass panes. The diagonal steel rods of the balconies, along with the vertical brick pillars and window mullion patterns, all pay tribute to the Art Deco design.
Sustainability is typically a key factor in adaptive-reuse practices. How did you incorporate that in the redevelopment of the Sears building?
Oh: Preserving as much of an existing building as possible is the most important sustainable move that anyone can make. We studied various design options to make sure we were producing a balanced approach between creating a functional residential unit and preserving the existing structures.
In the lobby, we left in place the original terrazzo floors from the 1938 Sears store. You would never know that this gorgeous flooring was poured more than 75 years ago. It looks brand new. We preserved the 16-and-a-half-foot exposed ceilings, as well as the flared capital columns which are in both the lobby and many of the units. They add an authentic, industrial flavor to the space.
Given the prevalence of hybrid work models, residents tend to spend a lot more time in their homes. What was the thought process behind the set of amenities at 6 Corners Lofts?
Oh: With more than 200 units, we knew 6 Corners Lofts needed to have a variety of common areas where people could work, meet or relax without feeling crowded. Amenities are featured throughout the property and the sixth-floor rooftop takes advantage of the stunning views, whether you’re inside or out.
The rooftop terrace with firepits, cabanas and a 40-foot swimming pool is a showstopper. The rooftop also includes expansive indoor lounges as well as a fitness center and a coworking space with three private conference rooms. There are two ground-floor lobbies and both offer a variety of seating arrangements. In addition, many of the units include a sizable loft area that can be used as a home office.
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How do you expect this retail-to-residential conversion to impact the neighborhood?
Oh: Within (the) Portage Park community area, the suburban environment transitions to urban, so you can experience a mixture of both without leaving the neighborhood. Across the street from 6 Corners Lofts, there is a new senior housing project, which contributes to the diversity of the area. Multi-generational communities make any neighborhood stronger and more resilient.
On site, 6 Corners Lofts’ retail tenant, Target, is a major draw for residents. It also attracts others living and working in the neighborhood. The building has once again become a hub of activity, enhancing the quality of life for the entire community. We hope it will also inspire more mixed-use developments nearby, adding density, activity and economic vitality.
Do you plan to expand your portfolio with additional adaptive-reuse projects? What other similar projects are you working on?
Oh: We are always on the lookout for adaptive-reuse projects. Currently, we are working on a study to preserve a historic street-front facade, reconfigure the interior and add floors to the existing structure. Another study involves converting office space into hospitality-based units, which presents a similar challenge of addressing the deep floorplate.
We are also working on a project to convert an old industrial warehouse. The metal facade and wood truss and beam structure of the single-story, high-ceiling warehouse will be transformed into a sports facility that will serve as a new community hub.
So, in your opinion, how will adaptive-reuse practices evolve?
Oh: The question of whether to ‘build new or renew’ is an intriguing one, and many architects, urban planners, city officials, engineers and others in the related field are engaged in spirited discussions on this topic.
For 6 Corners Lofts, we created various unit types because we had to design around existing elements, including the concrete structure. Such adaptive-reuse projects compel architects to rethink the new, ground-up buildings we design today and consider the impact of when the lifespan of the current use ends, when a new use must be introduced and when building elements must be replaced.
However, with advancements in technology, material innovations from the AEC industry and policy changes that support and streamline conversion projects at the local level, I’m optimistic that adaptive reuse will become more frequent and represent a larger portion of our work.