Adaptive reuse of a historic 13 story Art Deco office tower and adjacent 6 story 

fireproof warehouse building into the Robey and Hollander boutique hotels in 

Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood. Working closely with Antunovich Associates 

and Convexity Development, the project transformed two distinct historic structures 

into a unified hospitality destination while preserving the architectural character 

that defines the buildings and their contribution to the surrounding community. 

 

The project required extensive structural modifications to accommodate new hotel, retail, 

and amenity spaces, including localized micropile foundation support, new elevator cores 

and stair systems, significant floor framing modifications, and the integration of modern 

building systems. Additional scope included the construction of a rooftop solarium and 

swimming pool, along with a new two story building with basement that physically and 

functionally connected portions of the development. Through careful investigation, 

analysis, and coordination, the design team successfully adapted the existing structures 

to support contemporary hospitality uses while maintaining the historic integrity of the 

buildings. The completed project serves as a prominent example of how adaptive reuse 

can revitalize historic urban assets and contribute to the ongoing evolution of Chicago’s 

neighborhoods.