Renovated Atrio Apartments Opening in the Illinois Medical District

I love a good makeover, and this one is ooooh-so-good. With an estimated price tag of around $40 million, this residential redevelopment in Chicago’s Illinois Medical District is more than just a minor facelift. 

Located at 1927 W. Harrison, the 18-story apartment building was originally built in the 1960s. But it now holds 272 fully-renovated apartments, fresh amenity spaces and a rooftop view that’ll take your breath away. 

The building, which is being rebranded as Atrio, is available for hard-hat tours in mid-April and will welcome new residents in late May 2021.  

Soon, it’ll be one of a trio of buildings as the developer just announced plans for two new neighboring towers. 

First up, in July 2021, construction will start on a 24-story high-rise on Damen Avenue. It’s slated to have 280 new apartments. The trio will be rounded out with a 9-story mid-rise just south of Atrio that’s set to bring an additional 120 apartments to the area. 

In all, these three buildings will add nearly 700 sparkling new luxury apartments to the Illinois Medical District, and boy is it thirsty for them. 

Atrio’s Development Team

The story of the redevelopment begins back in 1964 when The Chicago Dwellings Association – a nonprofit organization – originally developed the property. They hung onto the property until the Illinois Medical District became flush with investment dollars, sinking $1 billion (yup, with a billion with a “b”!) into the redevelopment of the old Cook County Hospital. 

In 2019, the non-profit saw dollar signs and accepted a $28 million deal to sell to Naperville-based developer Marquette Companies. 

Marquette has about 20 apartment communities across Chicago’s suburbs. But lately, they’ve been investing big time in the city’s near west side neighborhoods. In the last few years, they opened three luxury apartment buildings in the West Loop: Monroe Aberdeen Place, Catalyst, and The Mason. 

And, they have more in the works. In 2020, Marquette broke ground on two sister buildings in the neighborhood. They also recently proposed plans for another 210-unit apartment building, right next to the CTA Green Line station. They are clearly eyeing opportunities around Union Park, The United Center and the Illinois Medical District. 

Atrio’s Design Team

Marquette again pegged the Chicago-based architecture firm ParkFowler Plus (ex Brininstool + Lynch) for the fresh design of Atrio. They’ve partnered up with Marquette on several luxury apartment buildings 

and continuously knock it out of the park. 

Working with general contractor Focus, the team made extensive changes to the nearly 60-year-old structure, inside and out.

Out With the Old, In With the New

A shiny modernized makeover revived this 249,000 square-foot property, from top to bottom. Barely a single surface was left untouched. 

On the exterior façade, portions of the precast concrete were removed and replaced with new floor-to-ceiling windows. The result is a tower that looks brand-spankin’-new. 

Inside, the existing elevators were replaced. Now that might not sound like the sexiest renovation, but trust me, when you live in a high-rise, great elevators are key! And surprise – one elevator was extended up to your brand new corner of paradise: The 19th-floor rooftop space. 

Imagine spending your summer evenings perched above the city. North, east, south and west – this deck has amazing unobstructed city views in all directions. Gather your friends and host a barbecue in the outdoor kitchen space. In the winter months, hang in the interior social lounge, complete with a chef’s kitchen.

The first-floor was also reconfigured to accommodate new amenity spaces that are on par with the newest luxury building in Chicago: 

• Fitness center
• Bicycle storage
• Package receiving room
• Co-working stations and conference rooms

The fully-renovated new rentals at Atrio include a mix of studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom apartments. Each unit is highlighted with updated modern styling and high-end finishes including:

• Stainless steel appliances
• Slide-in front-controlled gas range
• Over the range microwave
• Dishwasher
• Tundra white cabinetry
• Grey wood-style flooring
• Washer and dryer
• Garbage disposal
• White quartz countertops
• Matte black hardware

Illinois Medical District Dynamics

Formed by the state in 1941, The Illinois Medical District (IMD) is located about 2 miles west of downtown Chicago. The largest urban medical district in the United States, it’s a massive 560 acres. The district is straight out of Grey’s Anatomy – a smattering of healthcare institutions, medical research facilities, biotechnology hubs, and technology incubators. 

A strategic master plan launched in 2013 ushered in major investments and fantastic growth to the area. This not only helped the four major hospitals in the area but also created ongoing improvements to the community’s infrastructure and residential development. IMD is really shaping up to become one of the best and brightest areas to live in Chicago.

Even though IMD is surrounded by cool and diverse neighborhoods – West Loop, West Town, Little Italy, University Village and Pilsen – it’s been a little tricky for the IMD workforce to find high-quality housing that is within walking distance. That’s changing now with Atrio opening soon and other new apartments coming on the horizon. 

Neighborhood Notes

While the IMD dominates the area, many diverse businesses and attractions are here too, as well as some pretty cool history.  

A Sports-Centered ‘Hood

Here’s a fun fact – before the IMD, there used to be two baseball fields here between 1885 and 1915, called West Side Park. The Chicago Cubs baseball team had their most successful seasons here from 1906 through 1910, winning four National League pennants, and two World Series championships. In 1906 the Cubs battled the White Sox in the only cross-town World Series in Chicago! 

West Side Park is now long gone, and the Cubs and Sox have since moved on to their now historic stadiums on the north and south sides of Chicago. However, there are still plenty of sports to cheer for on the city’s west side. The United Center, home of the NBA’s Bulls and NHL’s Blackhawks, is about a 15-minute walk north on Damen. Also, college sports fans can cheer on the UIC Flames nearby at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Pet-Friendly Too

Atrio is set to be one of the best pet-friendly apartment buildings in the Illinois Medical District. Cats and dogs are welcome, with breed and weight restrictions. So, it’s awesome that there’s a huge green lawn just down the street in front of the Historic Cook County Hospital Building. You and your dog can get plenty of exercise strolling the greens around the Louis Pasteur statue. 

Get into the City Quickly

Getting to and from IMD is a snap. The area is located adjacent to the I-290 expressway with quick access within a couple of minutes. 

Several public transit options are close-by including the CTA Blue Line station entrances on Ogden and Damen, and the CTA Pink Line station on Polk Street. There is a surface parking lot on-site at Atrio, with spots available for additional fees.

Everything Close to Atrio

Workplaces Near Atrio Apartments

• Jesse Brown VA Medical Center
• John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County
• Rush University Medical Center
• University of Illinois Medical Center
•  American Red Cross of Greater Chicago
• Chicago Lighthouse
•  FBI Chicago Field Office
• Illinois State Police Forensic Science Center
• City of Chicago 311 Call Center
• Chicago Department of Public Health
• Vertiport Chicago 
• GreatPoint Energy

Shopping and Restaurants Closeby

• Jewel-Osco grocery
• Costco 
• Jarabe Mexican Street Food
• Chipotle
• Starbucks
• Lulu’s Hot Dogs
• West Loop, Little Italy and Pilsen restaurants

Parks, Recreation, Transportation Nearby

• Louis Pasteur statue and park
• Giuseppi Garibaldi Park
• Livingston Field Park
•  Addams/Medill Park
• Arrigo Park
• Vernon Park
• United Center
• Fifth Third Arena
•  Credit Union 1 Arena
• UIC Campus
• CTA Blue Line Train
•  CTA Pink Line Train
•  I-290 Expressway

If you want to find an apartment in the Illinois Medical District or any of downtown Chicago’s great neighborhoods, we’re the experts! Give our team a shout and we’ll get to work finding you the perfect place.

Featured image by Marquette Companies / Brininstool + Lynch.