The Montgomery
Technically, the 28-story Montgomery is in River North; in reality, the gleaming blue glass and travertine tower exists in a world of its own. Built in 1972 as HQ for Montgomery Ward & Co., the crisp-lined structure (designed by Minoru Yamasaki, who also designed the World Trade Center in New York) was converted to condos in 2004, with new floor-to-ceiling windows providing breathtaking views of the city. The glamorous renovation included a new rooftop observation desk, a 24-hour fitness center, a five-story parking garage, and an exercise area for residents’ pooches. A blank architectural canvas for designers and design lovers, the building has become an industry mecca. If you share an elevator with Nate Berkus’s pal Sasha Adler, say hi for us! In the meantime, sneak a peek at some of the Montgomery’s sleekest spaces (previously shown in our magazine).
500 W. SUPERIOR ST., 312-644-6754, THEMONTGOMERY.NET
Man of stone 27TH FLOOR
For this swanky bachelor pad, Joseph Sacco of JS Interiors mixed streamlined modern furniture with dramatic, muscular materials, such as the chiseled quartz on the far wall.
Off the wall 18TH FLOOR
Patrizio Fradiani of Studio F Design removed a wall behind these Eames lounge chairs to create a large, comfy seating area in a 1,650-square-foot space.
Photography: (Sacco) Nathan Kirkman, (Fradiani) Andreas Larsson
Illustration: John Kenzie
Chic charm 10TH FLOOR
Nate Berkus protégé Sasha Adler injected her modern living room with sentimental vintage touches: pillows made from her grandmother-in-law’s old fur coat.
Star power 16TH FLOOR
Bravo’s Top Design star Erik Kolacz used surprising surfaces, dramatic lighting, and exotic woods to make “a place as sexy as I am—and as moody.”
Photography: (Adler) Andreas Larsson, (Kolacz) Bob Coscarelli