# Birken Lofts

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

## Overview

Birken Lofts is a residential development at 401 W. Ontario Street, Chicago, IL 60654, in the River North neighborhood. The project is an adaptive reuse of the historic S. Birkenstein & Sons Building, originally constructed in 1905 as a heavy timber loft building.

The development preserves the building's defining character elements — exposed heavy timber beams, original masonry walls, and distinctive arched window openings — while introducing 57 modern residences designed for contemporary living.

## Developer

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

## Location

- Address: 401 W. Ontario Street, Chicago, IL 60654
- Neighborhood: River North
- Coordinates: 41.8935, -87.6388
- Transit: CTA Chicago station (Brown & Purple Lines) at Chicago & Franklin, 3 min walk — six minutes to the Loop
- Nearby: River North Gallery District (2 min walk), Chicago Riverwalk (5 min walk), Whole Foods Market (6 min walk), East Bank Club (6 min walk), Ward Park (7 min walk), Magnificent Mile (8 min walk); 0.2 mi to the Chicago River

## Residences

- Total units: 57
- Unit types: Studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom lofts
- Unit sizes: 550–1,400 square feet
- Floor plans:
  - Studio: 550–700 sq ft — oversized windows, in-unit laundry
  - One bedroom: 750–1,000 sq ft — exposed brick, walk-in closet
  - Two bedroom: 1,100–1,400 sq ft — corner exposures, original timber posts
- Availability: Interest list open

## Features & Amenities

- Exposed brick & heavy timber (original 1905)
- Oversized windows
- In-unit laundry
- Fitness center
- Community lounge
- Pet friendly
- River North location steps from galleries, dining, and the Riverwalk

## Finishes

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.

## Timeline

- 2025: Design & Planning (complete) — Architectural plans developed honoring the 1905 heritage.
- Early 2026: Permits & Approvals (complete) — Historic preservation review passed and building permits secured.
- October 2026: Construction Begins (next) — Adaptive reuse construction commences.
- October 2027: First Deliveries (planned) — Residents move into their new loft homes.

## Building History

The building is the S. Birkenstein & Sons Building, constructed in 1905 for one of Chicago's largest scrap-material dealers (rags, rubber, scrap metals, paper stock) and expanded with a fourth story in 1912 (architect H. M. Eichberg). Trade press of the 1910s called it "The House of Birkenstein." The firm moved to a new headquarters in 1920; the building later served as a paper-stock and cork-and-seal warehouse, then offices, before its conversion to residences. Full story: https://birkenlofts.com/history/

## Journal

The Birken Lofts Journal publishes construction updates, finds from the archives, and stories from River North: https://birkenlofts.com/blog/

Published posts:
- Where the conversion stands: construction begins October 2026 — https://birkenlofts.com/blog/where-the-conversion-stands-construction-begins-october-2026/
- The House of Birkenstein: a century at 401 W. Ontario — https://birkenlofts.com/blog/the-house-of-birkenstein-a-century-at-401-w-ontario/

## Contact

To register interest or learn about availability, pricing, and preview opportunities, visit https://birkenlofts.com/#contact