About Printers Row Lofts Chicago

Located at 732 S Financial Place, Printers Row Lofts is a historic 8-story loft condominium building in Chicago's Printer's Row neighborhood. Built in 1908 as the Printers Building, one of the largest structures ever erected exclusively for the printing trade, it has since been converted into 138 individual condominium residences, ranging from studios to two-bedroom layouts.

Today the building is known for its soaring timber ceilings, exposed brick, and expansive industrial windows — hallmarks of the heavy mill construction used throughout Printer's Row's early 20th-century printing houses, now repurposed for modern residential living.

Printers Row Lofts History

Printers Row Lofts Chicago traces its origins to 1908, when architect Harry B. Wheelock designed the building for developer James A. Patten. The Printers Building was constructed as an investment property, built and rented out — with power supplied — exclusively to printing firms. At 210 feet along Financial Place (then called Sherman Street) and 106 feet deep on Polk Street, it was, at the time, the largest single building in the country devoted to the printing business, with roughly 189,000 square feet of floor area across eight stories and a basement.

In 1911, the ground floor was leased to the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company as a retail paper store, and the building was known for a time as the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Building. It later operated as Polk Street Station Lofts before its conversion into today's Printers Row Lofts condominium association.

Architectural Significance

Printers Row Lofts Chicago reflects the utilitarian, heavy mill construction favored for large-scale printing plants in the early 20th century. Notable characteristics include:

• An 8-story-plus-basement structure completed in 1908
• A stone first story topped by red pressed brick and buff enameled terra cotta trim
• Straight lines with no applied exterior decoration, emphasizing function over ornament
• Heavy mill (timber) interior construction built to the maximum height then permitted for that construction type
• Adaptive reuse into 138 loft-style condominium residences

Design by architect Harry B. Wheelock places the building among Printer's Row's most substantial surviving examples of purpose-built printing-industry architecture.

Printer's Row Historic District

Printers Row Lofts sits within Chicago's Printer's Row Historic District, an area known for its concentration of former printing houses, warehouses, and loft buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Today, the neighborhood combines:

• Historic loft buildings
• Restaurants and cafés
• Cultural destinations
• Downtown employment access
• Residential communities

It's one of Chicago's best examples of adaptive reuse, transforming historic commercial buildings into modern living and working spaces.

Location Overview

Printers Row Lofts Chicago sits at the northwest corner of Financial Place and Polk Street, within Chicago's Printer's Row and South Loop neighborhoods, providing access to:

• Chicago Loop business district
• Grant Park
• Harold Washington Library Center
• Museum Campus
• Lake Michigan lakefront
• Financial district
• Downtown entertainment venues

Printers Row Lofts benefits from a location near the LaSalle Street commuter rail corridor while remaining close to Dearborn Street's restaurants and shops.

Nearby Major Landmarks

Restaurants

Coffee Shops

Grocery Stores & Daily Shopping

Shopping Near Printers Row Lofts

Parks & Outdoor Recreation

Fitness Centers & Wellness

Museums & Attractions

Performing Arts

Also nearby: Auditorium Theatre and Chicago Theatre, both popular year-round entertainment venues in the downtown core.

CTA Train Stations

Metra, Bus & Bike

Bus: Nearby CTA routes run along Michigan Avenue, State Street, Harrison Street, and Roosevelt Road.

Bike: Divvy bike-share stations throughout South Loop and downtown, with dedicated bike lanes and Lakefront Trail access.

Healthcare Near Printers Row Lofts

Schools & Education

Hotels Near Printers Row Lofts

Banking & Parking

Neighborhood Lifestyle Summary

Living at Printers Row Lofts Chicago provides access to a highly walkable Chicago lifestyle. Residents are close to:

• ✓ Historic Printer's Row
• ✓ Downtown offices
• ✓ Restaurants and cafés
• ✓ Museums and cultural attractions
• ✓ Parks and lakefront recreation
• ✓ Public transportation
• ✓ Universities and schools

The area combines historic Chicago architecture with the convenience of modern urban living.

A Typical Day Near Printers Row Lofts

Morning

Coffee at Dollop Coffee Co., Hero Coffee Bar, or Intelligentsia; a walk through Printer's Row; a workout at a nearby fitness center or run along the Lakefront Trail; commuting via CTA or Metra from LaSalle Street Station.

Afternoon

Downtown offices, the Harold Washington Library Center, restaurants, shopping, and cultural attractions.

Evening

Dinner at a South Loop restaurant, live jazz at the Jazz Showcase, events at Millennium Park, or a walk through Grant Park with lake views.

Ideal Residents

Downtown Professionals

Ideal for those working in the Loop financial district, legal offices, government buildings, tech companies, and corporate offices — the location reduces commuting time.

Architecture & History Enthusiasts

People who appreciate historic Chicago buildings will enjoy the character of Printer's Row, including its Chicago School architecture and preserved landmarks.

People Who Prefer Walkable Living

Restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, parks, transit, and cultural attractions are all within walking distance.

Students, Faculty & Buyers

First-Time Buyers

With studio and one-bedroom layouts, Printers Row Lofts is a common entry point for buyers looking to own in Printer's Row without the price tag of larger units.

Students & Faculty

Convenient for those connected to Columbia College Chicago, Roosevelt University, DePaul University's Loop Campus, and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Pet Owners

Printers Row Lofts is a pet-friendly building, welcoming both cats and dogs — a distinction from some of the neighborhood's stricter buildings.

Spring & Summer

Spring

Walking paths, outdoor photography, gardens, and lakefront views at Grant Park; historic architecture walks, independent shops, and local restaurants in Printer's Row.

Summer

Outdoor concerts, public art, and festivals at Millennium Park; the Printers Row Lit Fest and Printers Row Art Fest along South Dearborn Street; cycling, running, and walking along the lakefront.

Fall & Winter

Fall

Chicago architecture tours of historic buildings and downtown landmarks; museum visits to the Art Institute of Chicago, The Field Museum, and Museum of Science and Industry.

Winter

Ice skating and holiday events at Millennium Park; live jazz at the nearby Jazz Showcase; theater and entertainment at the Auditorium Theatre, Chicago Theatre, and Symphony Center.

Advantages of the Location

1. Exceptional Downtown & Transit Access

Steps from LaSalle Street Station and the LaSalle Blue Line stop, with an on-site garage — a short commute with multiple transportation options.

2. Historic Character & Scale

Soaring timber ceilings, exposed brick, and industrial windows inside one of Printer's Row's largest surviving purpose-built printing houses.

3. Strong Walkability

Dining, coffee, transit, parks, and attractions are reachable without a car for many daily activities.

4. Pet-Friendly & Range of Unit Sizes

With 138 units ranging from studios to two-bedroom layouts, plus a pet-friendly policy and on-site bike room, the building suits a wide range of buyers.

Considerations About the Building & Area

Parking Is Fee-Based

On-site garage parking is available but leased separately at an additional cost rather than included with every unit.

Downtown Environment

As with many central Chicago neighborhoods, traffic can increase during events, and urban activity levels are higher than in purely residential areas.

City Living Experience

Residents should expect pedestrian activity, downtown noise, and busy streets during events — typical characteristics of a central Chicago location.

Explore More Printer's Row Guides

About This Guide Series

This page is part of a series of in-depth guides to historic Printer's Row buildings in Chicago's South Loop, each covering building history, architecture, and neighborhood amenities in detail.

See our Near South Side real estate guide for the full neighborhood overview, or the Loop real estate guide for the adjacent downtown market.