Ever wanted to live inside a piece of American pop culture? The former home of Ebony and Jet magazines, is officially being converted into rental apartments, Curbed Chicago reports. And yes, it's keeping the signature signage.
The 820 S Michigan Avenue building will be converted a mix of studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, ranging from $1,200 to $2,700, according to Curbed. Developer 3L Real Estate will begin that construction early next year. The building is situated on Michigan Avenue just south of 8th Street, directly across from Grant Park. If you’re willing to live smack-dab in the middle of Lollapalooza madness for four days each August, this spot could be perfect for you.
Originally built in 1971, the 11-story modernist office building was designed by John Warren Moutoussamy. This makes the building the first (and only remaining) downtown high rise designed by an African-American. The structure was even granted Chicago landmark status earlier this month.
Johnson Publishing Company, owner and publisher of Ebony and Jet, called the Michigan Avenue digs home for over 40 years. The two magazines have been tentpoles of African-American culture since post-World War II. Johnson sold the publications to a Texas-based private equity firm in 2016. This past May, it was announced that Ebony would relocate to Los Angeles. The Johnson Publishing Archive, which includes original issues of Jet and Ebony, currently resides at the Stony Island Arts Bank.
If you just can't wait to inhabit iconic Midwestern architecture, rent this Frank Lloyd Wright home in Lancaster, WI, or take a free trip to the FLW-designed SC Johnson headquarters in Racine, WI.