Originally constructed in 1913, the Ludlow Building—formerly home to a historic letterpress facility—has been transformed through an extensive adaptive reuse and restoration effort. Designated a Chicago landmark in May 2022, the project carefully preserves the building’s protected exterior façade while reimagining its interior for modern living.
Prior to construction, the team undertook detailed cleaning, demolition, and documentation to maintain historical integrity. Brick restoration mockups were created to ensure the new brick and grout colors met the exacting standards of the Chicago Landmarks Commission.
The Ludlow now spans 151,000 square feet and represents a vibrant conversion from a warehouse and education facility into 121 residential units complemented by shared amenities. Residents and visitors enjoy two tenant lounges, 19,000 square feet of commercial space, a food hall, and a rooftop bar that welcomes the public—bridging historic character with contemporary urban living.
VDC Coordination for Historic Structure
VDC was heavily involved in the BIM coordination efforts for this building - especially in planning for the lower levels where height clearances needed to be maintained. VDC was also critical in leading the efforts to scan every window in the building to make sure the project team had the proper sizing for the new historic-style windows which replaced the originals.
