About The Terraces at Dearborn Park

Located at 801 S Plymouth Court, The Terraces at Dearborn Park is a 12-story condominium building on the edge of the Printer's Row neighborhood in Chicago's South Loop. Completed in 1982 and designed by the renowned architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, it is one of the defining residential buildings of the Dearborn Park development.

Unlike the 19th-century printing-industry landmarks found elsewhere in this guide series, The Terraces at Dearborn Park was purpose-built as residential condominiums, with roughly 220 units ranging from one-bedroom to four-bedroom layouts.

Building History

The Terraces at Dearborn Park was completed in 1982 as part of the broader Dearborn Park development, a large-scale planned residential community built in the 1970s and 1980s to bring housing back to the South Loop after decades of industrial and rail-yard use south of the Loop.

Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, one of the most influential architecture firms in Chicago history, the building is constructed of burnt-red brick, with its south end stepping down in a distinctive nine-step, stairway-like massing that gives the building its name.

Architectural Significance

The Terraces at Dearborn Park is a notable example of late-20th-century Chicago residential design. Notable characteristics include:

• Design by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, one of Chicago's most prominent architecture firms
• A distinctive stepped, terraced massing at the building's south end, resembling nine giant steps
• Burnt-red brick construction consistent with the surrounding Dearborn Park development
• A 12-story profile that fits within the low- to mid-rise scale of the Dearborn Park community

While not part of the 19th-century Printing House Row District, the building sits at its southern edge, bridging the historic Printer's Row streetscape with the planned, garden-style Dearborn Park community to the south.

Dearborn Park & Printer's Row

Dearborn Park was developed on former rail-yard land beginning in the 1970s, transforming a long-industrial stretch south of the Loop into a planned residential community of townhomes, mid-rise, and high-rise condominiums.

Today, the surrounding blocks combine:

• Historic Printer's Row landmarks just to the north
• Planned residential streets and green space
• Restaurants and cafés
• Downtown Loop employment access
• Public transportation

The Terraces sits at the junction of these two distinct South Loop stories: historic printing-industry architecture to the north, and planned postwar residential redevelopment to the south.

Location Overview

801 S Plymouth Court sits at the southern edge of Printer's Row, within the Dearborn Park community, close to:

• Chicago Loop business district
• Historic Printer's Row landmarks
• Grant Park
• Harold Washington Library Center
• Chinatown
• Downtown entertainment venues

The building is a short walk from the Pope Building Lofts, Pontiac Building, and other historic Printer's Row landmarks profiled in this guide series.

Nearby Major Landmarks

Restaurants

Coffee Shops

Grocery Stores & Daily Shopping

Shopping Near The Terraces at Dearborn Park

Parks & Outdoor Recreation

Fitness Centers & Wellness

Museums & Attractions

Performing Arts

CTA Train Stations

Metra, Bus & Bike

Bus: CTA routes run along State Street, Clark Street, and Roosevelt Road.

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

Healthcare Near The Terraces at Dearborn Park

Schools & Education

Hotels Near The Terraces at Dearborn Park

Banking & Parking

Neighborhood Lifestyle Summary

Living at The Terraces at Dearborn Park provides access to a walkable, community-feeling corner of the South Loop. Residents are close to:

• ✓ Historic Printer's Row
• ✓ Planned Dearborn Park green space
• ✓ Downtown Loop offices
• ✓ Restaurants and cafés
• ✓ Parks and lakefront recreation
• ✓ Public transportation
• ✓ Neighborhood schools

The area combines the historic character of Printer's Row to the north with the quieter, more residential feel of the planned Dearborn Park community.

A Typical Day Near The Terraces at Dearborn Park

Morning

Coffee at Dollop Coffee Co. or Hero Coffee Bar; a walk through Printers Row Park; commuting via the Red or Green Line at Roosevelt or Harrison.

Afternoon

Downtown offices, the Harold Washington Library Center, lunch at a South Loop restaurant.

Evening

Live jazz at the Jazz Showcase across the street, dinner at a Printer's Row restaurant, or a walk through Grant Park.

Ideal Residents

Families & Larger Households

With unit sizes ranging from one to four bedrooms, the building is well suited to families and households needing more space than a typical loft condo.

Downtown Professionals

Ideal for those working in the Loop who want a quieter, more residential setting within walking distance of downtown.

People Who Prefer a Planned Community Feel

Dearborn Park's landscaped streets and lower-density scale suit residents who want green space without leaving the South Loop.

Buyers & Considerations

First-Time Buyers

One-bedroom units offer an accessible entry point into South Loop condo ownership.

Downsizers

The building's range of unit sizes and established HOA make it a practical option for downsizers seeking single-level condo living.

Those Wanting Historic Character

Buyers specifically drawn to 19th-century printing-industry architecture may prefer the historic loft buildings profiled elsewhere in this series, since the Terraces is a 1980s purpose-built condominium rather than a converted historic loft.

Spring & Summer

Spring

Walking paths and gardens at Grant Park; strolls through Dearborn Park's landscaped streets and Printers Row Park.

Summer

The Printers Row Lit Fest and Printers Row Art Fest a short walk north; outdoor concerts at Millennium Park; cycling and running along the lakefront.

Fall & Winter

Fall

Chicago architecture tours through nearby historic Printer's Row; museum visits to the Art Institute of Chicago and The Field Museum.

Winter

Live jazz at the Jazz Showcase across the street; ice skating and holiday events at Millennium Park; theater and entertainment downtown.

Advantages of the Location

1. Range of Larger Unit Sizes

With layouts up to four bedrooms, the building offers more space than many South Loop loft conversions.

2. Planned Community Setting

Part of the landscaped Dearborn Park development, offering a quieter, more residential feel than the busier Loop streets to the north.

3. Strong Walkability

Historic Printer's Row, downtown, transit, parks, and dining are all reachable on foot.

4. Established Building

Over four decades old, the building and its HOA have a long operating history in the South Loop condo market.

Considerations About the Building & Area

Not a Historic Landmark

Unlike most other buildings in this series, The Terraces at Dearborn Park is not part of the Printing House Row National Register district; it is a purpose-built 1982 condominium rather than a converted historic loft.

1980s Building Systems

Mechanical and building systems reflect its 1982 construction date; buyers should review HOA reserves and maintenance history directly.

Distance from the Loop Core

Sitting at the southern edge of Printer's Row, it's a slightly longer walk to the heart of the Loop than buildings further north in this series.

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.