154 W. Superior Street in River North boasts a prominent location for several compelling reasons. Situated between two imposing high-rises, this delightful two-story Italianate row home stands as a captivating testament to Chicago’s architectural heritage.
It has also come to symbolize the changing cityscape within downtown Chicago. As developers increasingly acquire older properties in River North to make room for taller and more profitable structures, the preservation of such vintage buildings becomes increasingly rare. Preservationists understandably express concerns about the potential demolition of the historic Superior Street residence amid the ongoing wave of demolitions in this latest development cycle.
The endurance of this home is no mere coincidence. Often compared to Seattle’s renowned Edith Macefield House, which served as an inspiration for Pixar’s “Up,” this unassuming structure stands as a symbol of resilience between two modern luxury condo towers. Its former owner, Gregory Cooper, firmly rejected all offers from developers and even entertained friends while witnessing the construction of the new buildings around him. After Mr. Cooper’s passing in December 2015, the property was eventually marketed and sold as vacant land. It was initially listed for $1.279 million last April but ultimately changed hands for $900,000 in August.
Despite appearing as an obvious candidate for demolition and redevelopment, Alderman Brian Hopkins’ (2nd) office assures us that there are no such plans. Last summer, Alderman Hopkins introduced a downzoning measure.
Regarding past plans for the building, Jim Passios from Ceres Partners explained that their team intended to convert the Victorian rowhouse into office space. In contrast to previous attempts to acquire and replace the building with condominiums, Ceres Partners decided to preserve the integrity of the Italianate facade and its accompanying carriage house. The renovation involved a comprehensive overhaul, with no additional floors added and no existing structural walls demolished. The transformation gave rise to a new purpose as office space for Ceres Partners, an Indiana-based firm managing extensive corn and soybean properties, and Hop Head Farms, a Michigan-based hop grower for craft breweries. According to Passios, the building’s appearance saw significant improvements while retaining its historical charm.