Downer Place Lofts

In 1980, the 1st legal lofts came to Chicago at 501 N. Wells St, in a project developed by Jack and Marc Berger called the Loftworks On Wells. Critics predicted that lofts would never come to Chicago - that it was a New York thing. In 1980 and 1981, three dilapidated old buildings were redeveloped into open spaces with a sculptured interior core containing the kitchen, bathrooms and mechanical areas. This unique development sold out in a matter of months, and the area now called River North was born.