# Birken Lofts — Complete Property Information

> 57 residences within the historic 1905 S. Birkenstein & Sons Building in River North, Chicago.

## About the Building

Built in 1905 as the headquarters for the S. Birkenstein & Sons Company, this heavy timber loft building has stood as a testament to Chicago's industrial heritage for over a century. Located in the heart of River North, its red brick facade and arched windows have witnessed the neighborhood's transformation from manufacturing hub to one of the city's most vibrant districts.

Birken Lofts honors this legacy through a thoughtful adaptive reuse — preserving the building's defining character elements including exposed heavy timber beams, original masonry walls, and distinctive arched window openings — while introducing 57 modern residences designed for contemporary living.

Detailed building history (Smokey Hollow, the Birkenstein family firm, the 1905 construction and 1912 fourth-story addition, the WWI scrap boom, and the building's later uses) is published at https://birkenlofts.com/history/

Construction updates, archival finds, and River North stories are published on the Birken Lofts Journal at https://birkenlofts.com/blog/

## Developer

- Name: Monroe Residential Partners
- Website: https://monroeresidential.com

## Property Details

- Property name: Birken Lofts
- Website: https://birkenlofts.com
- Address: 401 W. Ontario Street, Chicago, IL 60654
- Neighborhood: River North, Chicago
- Coordinates: 41.8935°N, 87.6388°W
- Building type: Adaptive reuse / historic loft conversion
- Original construction: 1905
- Original use: S. Birkenstein & Sons Company headquarters
- Construction type: Heavy timber loft
- Historic status: Historically significant building

## Unit Mix

Total units: 57
Unit types: Studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom lofts
Size range: 550–1,400 square feet
Availability: Interest list open

### Floor Plans

#### Studio
- Size: 550–700 square feet
- Features: oversized windows, in-unit laundry

#### One bedroom
- Size: 750–1,000 square feet
- Features: exposed brick, walk-in closet

#### Two bedroom
- Size: 1,100–1,400 square feet
- Features: corner exposures, original timber posts

## Features & Amenities

### Heritage Features
- Exposed brick & heavy timber (original 1905)
- Oversized windows

### Modern Amenities
- In-unit laundry
- Fitness center
- Community lounge
- Pet friendly

### Restoration
- Historic restoration preserving Chicago's architectural legacy

### Finish Selections

Charcoal stone, warm cabinetry, and satin nickel are guiding the finish selections. The final specification is still in progress and will be shared once complete.

## Location & Proximity

Birken Lofts is located at the center of Chicago's River North neighborhood, surrounded by world-class galleries, restaurants, and nightlife, with easy access to the Loop, Magnificent Mile, and public transit.

### Walking Distances
- CTA Chicago station (Brown & Purple Lines), Chicago & Franklin: 3 minute walk — six minutes to the Loop by train
- River North Gallery District: 2 minute walk
- Chicago Riverwalk: 5 minute walk
- Whole Foods Market (Kingsbury St): 6 minute walk
- East Bank Club: 6 minute walk
- Ward (Erie St) Park: 7 minute walk
- Magnificent Mile: 8 minute walk
- Chicago River: 0.2 miles

### Things to Do

A guide to 270 restaurants, bars, museums, galleries, parks, venues, festivals and
everyday essentials within roughly one to three miles of 401 W. Ontario Street, in
ten categories, filterable by category and season. Highlights include the River
North Gallery District at the doorstep, a four-minute walk to groceries, eighteen
miles of lakefront trail, and five pro sports franchises within a few miles.

Full guide: https://birkenlofts.com/things-to-do-river-north/

## Development Timeline

| Phase | Date | Status | Description |
|-------|------|--------|-------------|
| Design & Planning | 2025 | Complete | Architectural plans developed honoring the 1905 heritage |
| Permits & Approvals | Early 2026 | Complete | Historic preservation review passed and building permits secured |
| Construction Begins | October 2026 | Next | Adaptive reuse construction commences on the historic building |
| First Deliveries | October 2027 | Planned | Residents move into their new loft homes in River North |

## Contact & Interest Registration

Prospective residents can register their interest to learn about availability, pricing, and exclusive preview opportunities.

- Web form: https://birkenlofts.com/#contact
- Address: 401 W. Ontario Street, Chicago, IL 60654