1934 West North — SEEK Design + Architecture

1934 W North Ave

Location: Wicker Park, Chicago, Illinois
Year: 2023
Size: 11,500 sq ft
Status: Preconstruction
Category: Mixed-Use, Commercial, Multi-Unit Residential
Services: Architecture, Interiors

SEEK is helping bring a beautiful, vacant building back to life in the thriving Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago. This 11,500 sq ft brick building was used in the original MTV Real World Chicago back in 2001. It is now being transformed into a mixed-use, multi-family residential development featuring 2,700 sq ft of ground-floor commercial space and nine residential units on the second and third floors, including studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units.

To enhance the user experience and street presence, the first-floor slab was lowered to align with the existing sidewalk. This adjustment allows the commercial space to boast 15-foot-high ceilings and 14-foot-tall windows that extend to the ground, increasing light and transparency within the building. The first-floor commercial space is to be reclad in dark bronze metal with Chicago-style molding and new outdoor architectural lighting. The project also features a lively and modern residential lobby, featuring an open stair concept connecting the ground floor with the residential floors above, and repurposed skylights in two of the third-floor residential units to daylight home office spaces. The renovation of 1934 W North Ave is a dynamic addition to the area, contributing to the neighborhood’s lively atmosphere.