Paper Place Lofts

What’s Best About Paper Place Lofts?

“Constructed in 1912, Paper Place Lofts was designed by the legendary architect and city planner Daniel Burnham. Converted to residential lofts in the mid 1990’s, there are now 107 condos offering residents vintage loft features and a fantastic location.”

Let’s take a closer look…

A Vintage Loft Lovers Dream

Originally, Paper Place Lofts was built to be a ten-story general-purpose warehouse for nearby printing facilities needing storage. It has an elegant red brick and limestone façade devoid of ornamentation seen in some of our other favorite Printer’s Row buildings like the Donohue.

Paper Place Lofts offers pretty much all the unique loft features that vintage loft lovers search high and low to find.

Namely, most units offer 12-foot barreled concrete ceilings, massive columns, exposed brick walls, huge windows and exposed ductwork.

And if that’s not enough, the ground floor units feature soaring 15-foot terra cotta and concrete barrel-vaulted ceilings. This floor was obviously designed for shipping and receiving as here you’ll also find ultra-thick pillars with protective iron skirts which have oxidized to a very cool patina.

National Register of Historic Places

Paper Place Lofts is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A bronze plaque on the building reads as follows:

“Polk-Wells Building, Chicago IL – Completed 1912 – D.H. Burnham & Company – Architect”

“Designed by preeminent Chicago architect Daniel H. Burnham, and built during the last great period of development of the South Loop printing house district from 1900 – 1914, 801 S Wells was designed to provide general office and warehouse facilities for businesses needing space near the Grand Central Station which once stood across Wells Street to the West. The clearly functional concrete frame structure and more modern exterior brickwork represent a departure from earlier Romanesque Revival buildings in the district such as the original Lakeside Press Building and the Donohue Building.”

Fantastic Location

Paper Place Lofts is located at 801 S Wells in Chicago’s historic Printer’s Row neighborhood.

Living at Paper Place Lofts means easy commuting, great schools, the River Walk, parks, dining, shopping, culture and much more.

For those looking to really delve into all Chicago has to offer, locations don’t get much better than 801 S Wells.

Let’s take a closer look…

Commuting

Paper Place Lofts offers residents easy commuting options.

Many residents here walk to work in the Loop / Financial District. And for those who commute by train, it’s just two blocks to the LaSalle Street CTA Station with the Red and Blue line.

Moreover, it’s only a few more blocks over to the trains at Union Station where six of the eleven Metra train routes originate and terminate.

In addition, for those who commute by car, there is nearby rental parking and convenient access to the Kennedy Expressway (90/94), the Eisenhower (290), and the Stevenson (55). Allowing easy access for a commute to either the north or west Chicago suburbs.

Schools

Printer’s Row offers some great public and private school options. Namely, South Loop Elementary School and DayStar Academy. Plus, just a few blocks south is the British International School.

In addition, there are also several nearby universities. For example, UIC and Roosevelt University.

River Walk

The nearby South Branch River Walk is a great place to see and explore the city. Here there’s a waterfront viewing platform, a kayak launch and natural landscaping along river’s edge.

Parks

Residents here appreciate being eight blocks west from Grant Park, Chicago’s “front yard”. And then of course there’s the walking and cycling path along the lake.

Dining

Next, Paper Place Lofts has an ideal location for residents wishing to take advantage of Chicago’s amazing restaurants.

There’s a wide variety of choice at various price points, from old standbys like Sofi for a taste of Italy, to Grail Cafe for a delicious brunch and Roots Pizza with their amazing retractable roof. All are great options right in the neighborhood.

Moreover, the famous “Restaurant Row” along Randolph Street in the nearby West Loop neighborhood is perfect to explore new dining experiences.

Shopping

Here shopping for groceries is a breeze with Whole Foods, Dominick’s, Target and Mariano’s all nearby.

In addition, for clothing and other household items there’s Roosevelt Collection Shops. Here you’ll find Banana Republic, Old Navy, Victoria’s Secret, H&M and the Container Store.

Culture

Of course one of the best aspects of living at Paper Place Lofts is the easy access Chicago’s amazing culture. For instance, here you can quickly get over to the Museum Campus which offers the Field Museum, Adler Planetarium and Shedd Aquarium.

Moreover, there’s our favorite, The Art Institute of Chicago. Not to mention the Chicago Symphony and the Auditorium Theater.

In Conclusion

With all these positive aspects, it’s easy to see why the historic Paper Place Lofts is indeed one of Chicago’s best loft buildings.

If you have questions about buying, selling or renting a condo at Paper Place Lofts chat with Chuck, he’s lived and worked in Printer’s Row for years and knows the building well.