Soho to Thank for Printer's Row Transformation

A reader recently sent us a nice Chicago Tribune overview article on the Printer's Row neighborhood. It talks about the history, schools, things to do and the challenges the neighborhood faces.

We like to think we're in the know on all things in the Sloop (obviously we don't know everything...but we try), but one part of the article intrigued us:

In the mid-1970s, forward-thinking architect Harry Weese set his sights on giving new life to the old printing buildings. Influenced by similar transformations of commercial space in SoHo, New York, Weese began buying the properties to sell as residential loft space, McClendon said. In 1981, soft lofts were introduced at Printers Square, a complex of five buildings along Federal Street from Harrison to Polk streets. River City to the west and 2 East 8th St. to the east opened in the mid-1980s. Meanwhile, Dearborn Park had been built south of Polk.

It's not uncommon for real estate developers to steal from other cities and countries. And it's not surprising to hear that Printer's Row or the South Loop found it's residential footing due to trends in New York. Regardless this is the first time we've read about the Soho connection.

In an interview I did with the Chicago Journal a couple of years ago we compared our neighborhood to the Gramercy/Union Square/East Village/Chinatown neighborhoods in Manhattan (scroll down to the last question). These are all very close to Soho.

Regardless of your thoughts on whether or not the Sloop has some similar characteristics to parts of Manhattan, this article is a good read and on point for the most part.

(Hat tip: ES!)

(Image from: Chicago Tribune)