This industrial-inspired penthouse loft in Chicago boasts chic interiors and skyline views

(Image credit: Tom Rossiter Photography)

The property

An exceptionally chic full-floor penthouse loft in a Chicago high-rise, with a clever broken-plan layout and sweeping city views from double-height windows. The striking modern home was designed by Chicago-based firm Wheeler Kearns Architects for two collectors.

 

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Entrance

After a lengthy search, the happy new owners came across this full penthouse floor of a Chicago high-rise, featuring striking 11 foot high ceilings, a double height space looking south to the city, and 360 degree views.

They gutted the property back to a shell condition, then brought on Chicago-based firm Wheeler Kearns Architects to completely reconfigure the apartment.

(Image credit: Tom Rossiter Photography)

Living space

The architects completely renovated this full-floor penthouse loft into an eminently spacious residence for the two collectors. The owners, a couple who are lifelong collectors of modern and contemporary art and furniture, wanted a scheme that would showcase their extensive collection.

(Image credit: Tom Rossiter Photography)

A sliding panel wall can be shut to separate the guest bedroom and TV area behind it, making this space feel a little more intimate.

(Image credit: Tom Rossiter Photography)

The penthouse apartment features furnishings by Eames, Evans, Mies, Nakashima, Nelson and Wegner, and the artworks include a Harry Bertoia sounding sculpture.

(Image credit: Tom Rossiter Photography)

The owners use this space to entertain, and regularly host philanthropic events in the space. Their brief for the architects was: “a home we love, have pride in, are comfortable in; ability to entertain graciously with simple elegance”.

As lifelong collectors, the brief also included finding space for numerous pieces of mid-century (to present day) furniture, sculpture, art.

(Image credit: Tom Rossiter Photography)

A double-height wall of shelving houses personal books and objects, with a staircase spiraling up to a mezzanine level.

(Image credit: Tom Rossiter Photography)

(Image credit: Tom Rossiter Photography)

(Image credit: Tom Rossiter Photography)

Together with the owners, the architects chose a non-directional end-grain walnut floor, providing the visual weight and durability of a factory. They then plastered perimeter walls for art, and added in perforated metal, slatted wood, and floating planes of fabric to provide acoustic absorption.

Steel storage, shelving, and the mezzanine balcony and staircase all add to the industrial-inspired look.

(Image credit: Tom Rossiter Photography)

This broken-plan living space is the highlight of the apartment, with 11-foot high ceilings that feature floor-to-ceiling windows, framing city skyline views.

(Image credit: Tom Rossiter Photography)

See Also: Explore a chic, monochrome penthouse in Boston

TV area

With the main focal point being the view, a separate seating area was created to form a cosy TV nook.

(Image credit: Tom Rossiter Photography)

The TV isn't obviously visible – instead it's disguised behind a sliding painting, mounted above the fireplace.

(Image credit: Tom Rossiter Photography)

(Image credit: Tom Rossiter Photography)

Family room

But that's not the only place to catch up on films or TV – there's a separate family room, created for watching films and TV together.

(Image credit: Tom Rossiter Photography)

A red backdrop helps make their collection of dolls pop.

(Image credit: Tom Rossiter Photography)

Kitchen area

At the other end of the apartment is a large, open plan kitchen with a marble kitchen island, and a dining area just off it.

(Image credit: Tom Rossiter Photography)

The architects opted for striking glossy red cabinets.

(Image credit: Tom Rossiter Photography)

Home office

The home office for two is streamlined and chic, and boasts floor to ceiling skyline views.

(Image credit: Tom Rossiter Photography)

Guest suite

A guest bedroom is sectioned off from the main living space by a pair of sliding wood doors – one to enclose just the sleeping area, and the other offers the option of including the TV area as part of the guest suite.

(Image credit: Tom Rossiter Photography)

These barn / pocketing doors help to create a clever, broken-plan scheme that can open up when the space is needed, and be closed off for privacy.

(Image credit: Tom Rossiter Photography)

(Image credit: Tom Rossiter Photography)

Master suite

The master bedroom is strikingly chic, with floating bedside tables mounted against a modern wood panelled wall.

(Image credit: Tom Rossiter Photography)

Dressing room

The adjoining dressing room boasts a dressing room island, crowned by Louis Poulsen's classic Artichoke pendant light.

(Image credit: Tom Rossiter Photography)

Master bathroom

The marble-clad bathroom offers his 'n' hers sinks, and more skyline views beyond the floating mirrors. 

(Image credit: Tom Rossiter Photography)

(Image credit: Tom Rossiter Photography)

Photography by: Tom Rossiter, Tom Rossiter Photography

WKA Team: Dan Wheeler, FAIA, Principal
 Janette Scott, AIA, Project Architect
General Contractor: JDL Development

Construction Advisor/Manager: Peter Seigel

Structural Engineer: Halvorson and Partners

Millwork: Glazebrook Woodworking

Acoustical Consultant: Threshold Acoustics

Lighting Design: Mitchell Cohn Lighting

MEP: BES Engineering Systems

Interiors: Sharlene Young with Wheeler Kearns Architects (founder of Symbiotic Living)

See Also: This NYC penthouse is both chic and child-friendly