850 W. Adams St. Chicago: West Loop Loft Building Guide
Is 850 W. Adams a good place to live in Chicago's West Loop?
Yes. 850 W. Adams is one of the West Loop's most desirable boutique loft buildings, with a rich industrial history, generously sized residences, and a premium location directly across from Mary Bartelme Park.
Quick Facts: 850 W. Adams at a Glance: 850 W. Adams St. is a 7-story, 35-unit authentic hard loft building in Chicago's West Loop. Built in 1925 as an industrial warehouse, it was converted to residential condos in 1998. Units range from 2,000 to 4,000+ sq. ft. with exposed brick, concrete columns, private balconies, and views of Mary Bartelme Park. The building is officially recorded as W Adams Loft Condo in Cook County records.
The History Behind 850 W. Adams
Before the West Loop was a restaurant destination, it was a working industrial district. And 850 W. Adams was right in the middle of it.
The building was originally constructed in 1925 as a warehouse for the E. Raymond Wright printing firm. For decades it was a place for commerce and industry, not condos and rooftop decks.
That all changed in 1998. Anne Properties converted the building into residential lofts, making it one of the first wave of West Loop warehouse conversions. The neighborhood was just beginning its transformation. 850 W. Adams was part of that story from day one.
The result is a building with genuine character. Not a simulation of industrial style. The real thing.
What Makes 850 W. Adams Different from Other Loft Buildings?
A lot of buildings in the West Loop market themselves as lofts. 850 W. Adams actually is one.
The bones of this building are original: concrete columns, exposed brick walls, timber details, warehouse-scale windows, and ductwork that was never meant to be hidden. These aren't design choices added during renovation. They're what was there.
Units here are also unusually large. Floor plans range from 2,000 to over 3,000 sq. ft., with some penthouses pushing beyond that. The 2-bed, 2-bath layouts come in around 2,000 sq. ft., and the larger units can exceed 4,000 sq. ft. For reference, that's rare. Most loft buildings in this city offer far less.
Every unit has a private balcony. Most face west toward Mary Bartelme Park. The corner units wrap the building and pick up light from two directions.
Building Facts at a Glance
- Year Built: 1925
- Converted to Condos: 1998
- Stories: 7
- Total Units: 35 (5 per floor)
- Style: Authentic hard loft, warehouse conversion
- Parking: Indoor heated garage (sold separately)
- Pets: Allowed
- Rentals: Allowed (no short-term vacation rentals)
- HOA Includes: Water, common insurance, exterior maintenance, snow removal, scavenger
Building Amenities
- Rooftop deck with city views
- Elevator
- Video entry / secure access system
- Recently redesigned lobby and interior halls
- On-site management
- Indoor garage parking available
The association is well run. Healthy reserves. That matters. It keeps assessments stable and avoids the surprise special assessments that catch buyers off guard in other buildings.
The Location: Why 850 W. Adams Wins
This is one of the best-positioned loft buildings in the West Loop. Here's why.
Mary Bartelme Park is directly across the street. The park has a playground, a fenced dog run, and open green space. It functions as the West Loop's neighborhood gathering spot. Not many buildings can claim a view like that out their front door.
Restaurant Row on Randolph is minutes away. So is the Fulton Market District. Whole Foods, Mariano's, and CVS are a short walk. Greektown is right there. This address checks every box for walkability.
Transit is easy. The Blue Line to O'Hare is 3 blocks away. The Pink and Green Lines are close too. For drivers, I-90/94 and I-290 are both accessible from the neighborhood without fighting your way through downtown surface streets.
Who Lives at 850 W. Adams?
This building draws a specific buyer. Someone who wants real loft living. Not a soft loft or a loft-inspired new construction. The actual thing.
Buyers here tend to be professionals, creatives, and empty nesters who value space, character, and location over a long amenity list. The boutique size of the building, just 35 units, means you know your neighbors. It doesn't feel like a tower.
The building has attracted notable residents over the years. Actor David Schwimmer, who played Ross Geller on Friends, owned a unit here from 1998 until 2019.
What Does It Cost to Live at 850 W. Adams?
Prices at 850 W. Adams range from the mid-$600s to over $1.3 million depending on size, floor, and finishes. The 2-bed, 2-bath units typically come in between $650K and $800K. Larger 3-bedroom layouts push higher. Penthouse-level units have sold above $1.3 million.
This is a building where the price-per-square-foot stays competitive because the units are so large. You're getting a lot of space for the money compared to newer West Loop construction.
Parking is sold separately, typically in the $40K range for an indoor heated spot.
Why Buyers Love This Building
- Built in 1925 as a textile and printing warehouse, converted to lofts in 1998
- 35-unit boutique building in the heart of the West Loop
- Units range from 2,000 to 4,000+ sq. ft. with private balconies and park views
- Well-managed association with strong reserves
- One of the most walkable locations in the neighborhood, steps from parks, dining, and transit
Thinking About Buying or Selling at 850 W. Adams?
I know this building well. As a West Loop specialist with @properties Christie's International Real Estate and over 25 years in the Downtown Chicago condo market, I can tell you exactly what units here are worth, what buyers are looking for, and how to position your home to sell at the top of the range.
Call or text Christine Hancock at 312-296-9300 to talk about your unit's value, or what it would take to get you to the closing table.
FAQ
What year was 850 W. Adams St. built? 850 W. Adams was originally constructed in 1925 as an industrial warehouse. It was converted to residential lofts in 1998 by Anne Properties.
How many units are in 850 W. Adams Chicago? The building has 35 total units spread across 7 floors, with 5 residences per floor.
What are the unit sizes at 850 W. Adams? Units range from approximately 2,000 sq. ft. for 2-bed layouts to over 4,000 sq. ft. for the largest floor plans. All units include private outdoor balconies.
Is 850 W. Adams a hard loft building? Yes. 850 W. Adams is an authentic hard loft, featuring original concrete columns, exposed brick, high ceilings, and warehouse-scale windows from the building's industrial past.
What is the HOA fee at 850 W. Adams? HOA fees vary by unit size. The association is well funded with strong reserves. Fees typically cover water, insurance, exterior maintenance, snow removal, and scavenger service. Parking is sold separately.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Christine Hancock is a Chicago Realtor with @properties Christie's International Real Estate, bringing more than 25 years of experience and over $200 million in closed sales in the downtown condo market. With 96 five-star Zillow reviews, Christine is recognized for her commitment to client satisfaction and market expertise.
She specializes in high-rise and luxury condominium sales in West Loop, South Loop, River North, and Streeterville, helping buyers and sellers navigate complex transactions with data-driven pricing strategies and deep neighborhood insight.
Christine partners with clients to evaluate market trends, position properties competitively, and make confident, informed decisions in Chicago's vibrant downtown housing market.
Call or text 312-296-9300 to discuss current market conditions or your real estate goals.
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