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Collection by Ian Spula

A Gut Renovation for a Retro Chicago Apartment in the Iconic Marina City Towers

Space Architects + Planners overhauled a Chicago apartment to prioritize views of the city.

The twin towers of Marina City, designed by modernist master Bertrand Goldberg, are closing in on landmark protection—something most Chicagoans probably assumed they already had. When Jean Dufresne of Space Architects + Planners embarked on a gut renovation of a Loop- and lake-facing two-bedroom unit for a new owner. The space presented as it did upon the towers’ completion in 1964: shag carpeting, a mint green bathroom, metal cabinets, and laminate counters being the currency of the day. “It all sounds cool and retro, but it had not been maintained,” says Dufresne. “The view, now that was amazing.” The client, a single dad, wanted an exhilarating space that fully capitalized on that vantage point.

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A galley kitchen was opened to the living room during the renovation—the new combo space fills out much of the space and claims the largest share of balcony. Floors are Cerdomus stoneware tiles, laid to simulate herringbone hardwood.
A galley kitchen was opened to the living room during the renovation—the new combo space fills out much of the space and claims the largest share of balcony. Floors are Cerdomus stoneware tiles, laid to simulate herringbone hardwood.
The all-new eat-in kitchen has an island with a Silestone quartz surface, comfortably seating six. To free up even more living space, an entertainment center is integrated into the back wall, adjacent to a seating nook.
The all-new eat-in kitchen has an island with a Silestone quartz surface, comfortably seating six. To free up even more living space, an entertainment center is integrated into the back wall, adjacent to a seating nook.
The unit has virtually no right angles, and the spread of furniture is equally freeform. Brightness, neutral colors, inset lighting, and open circulation combat ceiling height—a mere eight feet.
The unit has virtually no right angles, and the spread of furniture is equally freeform. Brightness, neutral colors, inset lighting, and open circulation combat ceiling height—a mere eight feet.
The master bedroom was enlarged in the renovation and its circulation altered, again to prioritize views and natural lighting. The herringbone tile extends from the main living space.
The master bedroom was enlarged in the renovation and its circulation altered, again to prioritize views and natural lighting. The herringbone tile extends from the main living space.
Ebony tile and artificial lighting take over in the master bathroom, but even with the door shut, the sightline carries through. “The whole unit is subservient to the views,” says Dufresne. “We created a one-way mirror so the client could shower with the view and keep his privacy.”
Ebony tile and artificial lighting take over in the master bathroom, but even with the door shut, the sightline carries through. “The whole unit is subservient to the views,” says Dufresne. “We created a one-way mirror so the client could shower with the view and keep his privacy.”
On a high floor in the east tower, this unit takes up two-and-a-half kernels on the cob. The buildings are famous for pie-shaped floor plans wrapped around a central core, bringing generous window frontage and broad balconies. As a result bathrooms and closets are shunted toward the point of each wedge, by the entry.
On a high floor in the east tower, this unit takes up two-and-a-half kernels on the cob. The buildings are famous for pie-shaped floor plans wrapped around a central core, bringing generous window frontage and broad balconies. As a result bathrooms and closets are shunted toward the point of each wedge, by the entry.
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