SCB’s adaptive reuse of 135 South LaSalle, also known as the Field Building, transforms the iconic Art Deco tower into a vibrant mixed-use development that will introduce 386 residential units to downtown Chicago.

In a recent conversation with Architecture Columnist Lee Bey, SCB Associate Principals Steven Hubbard and Sara Beardsley, FAIA, share insights into the design approach for the office-to-residential conversion.

Adaptive reuse is inherently sustainable, as it saves embodied carbon and improves operational energy efficiency. As Beardsley explains in the article, “[The building is changing] from office to residential, and residential is less energy-intensive than office. We’re also doing upgrades from the inside of the envelope to add some insulation, so the building is going to be using quite a bit less energy than it used to use.”

The revitalization of historic landmark structures, such as the Field Building, is also key to preserving the character of our cities. Although the Chicago Board of Trade Building, another Art Deco structure built around the same time, gets much of the “architectural praise,” Bey notes that the Field Building is “every bit as good, particularly in its detailing.”

SCB’s design preserves and enhances these original details, especially within the lobby and interior arcade spaces. “The detailing of that space is one of the best examples of Art Deco,” Hubbard remarks. “The white marble, the rose-colored marble, the beautiful floors, the metal trimming for all of the shop windows and the elevator openings. It’s very, very much intact.”

The Field Building’s conversion not only contributes to the city’s housing supply but also reaffirms the enduring value of architectural preservation, adaptive reuse, and thoughtful urban transformation, marking an exciting moment for the City of Chicago’s LaSalle Reimagined Initiative.