“Initial details have been revealed for the residential conversion of the former office building at 50 E Superior Street in River North. Located mid-block between N Rush Street and N Wabash Avenue, the existing structure—and the surrounding row homes—was previously set to be demolished to make way for a new skyscraper.
“While not much is known about the seven-story building, we do know it was originally used by the Western Methodist Book Concern as its Chicago warehouse and facility. Over the years, it changed hands until it was rezoned in 2017 for a much denser project: a 60-story residential skyscraper. However, after the local alderman rejected the proposal, the site remained in limbo.
“Now, after years of lawsuits, the building has been purchased for $5.7 million by local developers Honore Properties and Peerless Development. They plan to convert the structure into 90 residential units, most likely consisting of studios through two-bedroom layouts. These will take advantage of the large existing lightwell that cuts through the center of the structure. (Achong, Chicago YIMBY, 6/7/25)
“Honore founder Michael Shenouda said the building is ripe to be turned residential because of its neighborhood positioning and unique layout, with a lightwell, or a roofless, external space, in the middle.
“’50 E. Superior St. is one of the best locations in Chicago at the intersection of River North and Gold Coast. The unique inner courtyard allows the building to be a prime candidate for a residential conversion,’ Shenouda said in an email.
“The project would be developed as of right, meaning it doesn’t require zoning approval from the City Council.
“Shenouda is no stranger to residential conversions, with similar projects in the works at 118 S. Clinton St. in the West Loop and 811 W. Evergreen Ave. near the North Branch of the Chicago River.
“The Honore-Peerless venture paid $5.7 million for the 50 E. Superior St. property, records show. The seller was Chicago developer Golub & Co., which listed the site for sale in October several years after a deal to sell it to a New York developer unraveled. That would-be buyer, Symmetry Property Development, had proposed a 60-story condominium-hotel tower that would occupy the Golub-owned site as well as the one next to it at 42-46 E. Superior St.” (Herzog, Crain’s Chicago Business, 10/28/24)
Preservation Chicago applauds Honore Properties and Peerless Development for their residential reuse proposal. Preservation Chicago has long been concerned over the fate of the Western Methodist Book Concern building at 50 E. Superior Street. It was considered a new high-rise development site with the Superior Street Rowhouses at 42-46 E. Superior St. We have been in conversations with many stakeholders including owners, developers, alderman, and neighbors to advocate for a preservation-oriented outcome.
Read the full story at Chicago YIMBY and Crain’s Chicago Business
- Developer buys River North site for office-to-apartments conversion, Rachel Herzog, Crain’s Chicago Business, 6/4/25
- Residential Conversion Proposed For 50 E Superior Street In River North, Ian Achong, Chicago YIMBY, 6/7/25
- River North development site back up for grabs after failed skyscraper plan, Danny Ecker, Crain’s Chicago Business, 10/28/24
- 50 E. Superior Street Listing JLL