“Es cuestión de madera - No se puede negociar, más que estilo es solo ser lo que se es.”

Have you ever walked past an old-school Chicago storefront and wondered what’s going on upstairs? In late 2019 - at the tail end of “the before times” - a young couple purchased this overlooked two-story structure with dreams of turning it into a mixed-use home for their business - and their home. 118 years of age had taken a toll on the building. Although the masonry shell was in fair condition, the interior had been chopped up and confused over the years. Hardwood floors were buried under numerous layers of high-gloss lacquer, and the bathtub had been spray painted bright white to make the listing photos more appealing. This classic apartment needed some love.

Via Chicago stripped the space down to its essence, using a Rubio Monocoat finish to harmonize the 5 different wood species uncovered within the existing floorboards. An awkwardly angular archway was softened, becoming a signature shape between the connected living, dining, and kitchen spaces. The entire project was completed on an aggressively low budget, with the architects going so far as to design & the entire kitchen themselves. The result is a calm, understated, entirely comfortable respite from the energetic street life below.

Architecture & Interiors: Via Chicago
General Contractor: AZ4 Construction, Inc.