MONTGOMERY WARD APARTMENT
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 2006

Located in the former Montgomery Ward Headquaters, this residence for an art gallery owner and his family was conceived to function as both private residence and, at times, public gallery. Occupying the southeast corner of the original penthouse floor, there are extensive views south towards the Loop and a framed view east towards the John Hancock Center.

The public spaces vary in scale and transformable levels of intimacy. In plan, the public spaces of the apartment form an L. In one leg are the smaller scale, more intimate Kitchen, Dining and Sitting/Media rooms. The other leg of the L is the larger, open living room.

The dining room sits between the kitchen and sitting room and is defined by a series of translucent bronze colored glass volumes, each of these 3 spaces can be further enclosed/separated by a series of full-height silk draperies. A series of columns defines the entry and frames the kitchen, dining and sitting rooms. The L-shaped public space is further enhanced by a series of ebony wall shelves that follow and guide your circulation into the space, starting in the entry and turning the corner to the living room. A free-standing site specific sculpture of red glass block and stainless steel door panels by artist Jaume Plensa acts as a column that further reinforces the edge of the living room.

Photos by Christopher Barrett, Hendrich Blessing; Interior design by Ana Borrallo, Acanto Interiors, General Contracting by Linn-Mathes.

Entrance

Living Room

Hall to Bedrooms

Living Room

Enrty Wall Shelves

Kitchen

Dining Room

Dining Room

Sitting Area

Bedroom