In the bustling neighborhood of River North, Chicago, a small yet charming Italianate row home is surrounded by towering high-rises at 154 W. Superior Street.
154 W. Superior was built in 1888, shortly after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, and was once part of a series of row houses.
Over the years, many of these historic buildings have been replaced by taller, denser structures as developers seek more profitable ventures. This makes the old row home a rare and valuable piece of River North’s architectural history.
Gregory Cooper, who purchased the house in the 1980s, was determined to preserve its legacy.
Despite numerous lucrative offers from developers, Cooper refused to sell. He remained a steadfast guardian of the two-story home, even hosting friends as the construction of new luxury condos surged around him.
Cooper’s dedication to preserving the house was unwavering until his passing in December 2015.
The property was marketed and sold to the new owner
After Cooper’s death, the future of 154 W. Superior Street was uncertain. The property was marketed and eventually sold as vacant land in August for $900,000.
Preservationists feared the worst, anticipating another historic building’s demolition to make way for modern development. However, these fears were soon allayed by the new owners’ plans.
Alderman Brian Hopkins played a crucial role in protecting the building’s legacy. He introduced a downzoning measure to prevent the construction of a taller, denser building on the site. Initially proposing a reduction from DX-7 to DX-3, Hopkins eventually compromised with the new owners at DX-5, ensuring the historic home would not be razed.
Jim Passios of Ceres Partners, the new owner, announced plans to transform the Victorian row house into office space in 2022.
“There have been others that have tried to purchase this building to raze it and replace it with condominiums, but that is not our intentions,” Passios stated.
He assured that the Italianate facade and its matching carriage house would remain intact.
The building will undergo a gut renovation, but no additional floors will be added, and the existing structural walls will be preserved.
The interior, having undergone several renovations over the years, will be revamped for modern office use. Despite these changes, the exterior’s historical charm will be meticulously maintained.
The project is set to begin in March, with River North residents soon witnessing crews on-site, breathing new life into this piece of Chicago’s history.
The house is often referred to as Chicago’s “Up” house
Often referred to as Chicago’s “Up” house, 154 W. Superior Street draws comparisons to the Edith Macefield House in Seattle, the inspiration for Pixar’s “Up.”
Just like the house in the movie, this resilient little home has stood its ground amidst a sea of modern development.
Gregory Cooper’s dedication to preserving 154 W. Superior ensured that one of the last vintage row homes in River North remains a tangible link to the past.
Now, under the stewardship of Ceres Partners and with the support of Alderman Hopkins, this historic home will continue to inspire and serve as a reminder of Chicago’s rich architectural legacy.