CHICAGO, IL - Leasing is now underway for a selection of just-released rental penthouses at The Belden-Stratford, the iconic Beaux-Arts apartment property in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood that reopened this year following a full-scale restoration and renovation. The six penthouse residences showcase unobstructed views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline from the property’s upper floors, paired with thoughtfully designed floor plans and upscale finishes that complement historic structural details.
“Our penthouse residences truly embody what makes The Belden-Stratford so special, from graceful spaces carefully appointed to appeal to today’s modern renters, to glimpses of this century-old building’s history and architecture, to an unmatched address in Lincoln Park that affords residents not only an amazing lifestyle, but also some of the very best views in the entire city,” said Ari Glass, head of real estate for Mansueto Office, which purchased The Belden-Stratford in 2018 and began renovation work in 2020. “It’s no wonder we’ve already had tremendous interest in the penthouses in the short time since they became available, with one of the six leased almost immediately by an individual who appreciates the elegant luxury of the building and the benefits of its park- and lake-adjacent setting.”
Located at 2300 N. Lincoln Park W., overlooking the Lincoln Park Zoo and Conservatory, The Belden-Stratford was constructed in 1923 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Designed by architect Meyer Fridstein, it originally opened as a residential hotel before eventually transitioning entirely to rental apartments. Today, it comprises 209 luxury apartments, including studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom residences. Monthly rents in the building range from $2,500 to $15,000, with penthouse rents starting at $7,250.
The penthouses are located on the 15th floor, along the building’s entire east and south sides, and are topped by the building’s roof deck. The five remaining penthouse floor plans include two one-bedroom designs with one and 1½ baths, respectively; a two-bedroom, two-bath layout; and two residences with two bedrooms, two baths and a den. All penthouse residences feature extra-high ceilings – including spaces with 17-foot ceilings with decorative beams – and double-height windows topped by paned arches, which, in addition to framing sweeping views of Lake Michigan and Lincoln Park, are also a notable architectural detail accenting the building’s mansard roofline.
“One of the available two-bedroom penthouses is especially notable for its two-story floor plan with a bedroom, den and bath reached via a spiral staircase between the two levels,” noted Glass. “Additionally, its main living space features original ornamental ceiling detailing, which we painstakingly preserved and restored.”
Penthouse interiors feature upscale island kitchens with GE Profile stainless steel appliances and quartz countertops; upsized window trim; custom closets with built-in shelving; and full-size in-unit washer and dryer.
Complementing the penthouse lifestyle at The Belden-Stratford is the ambiance of the building’s many original features and finishes that were restored during the renovation process. In the ornate double-height lobby, gilded plaster molding and gold-leaf detailing were fully refurbished, as were marble paneling and entryways adorned with mirrored windows and walnut trim, which had been covered during previous renovations. In addition, hand-painted canvases that hung on the walls when the building first opened were recreated.
The renovation also introduced a full suite of lifestyle amenities as the building was reimagined for modern renters. Housed in the historic property’s original common spaces, they include an elegant mezzanine-level lounge with an original arched picture window overlooking the Lincoln Park Conservatory; a double-height fitness center in what was once the building’s ballroom; a billiards and media lounge; wine tasting room; temperature-controlled wine storage room; and reservable conference rooms and meeting areas. Residents also have access to a rooftop sun deck featuring a wet bar, outdoor TV, two gas fireplaces, grilling stations and multiple seating areas, all overlooking the skyline, Lincoln Park and Lake Michigan.
“While our goal with the renovation was to restore as many of the building’s original features as possible – elements that would be nearly impossible to replicate in a ground-up development – we placed equal emphasis on refining the building for today’s luxury renter, which meant incorporating a carefully selected mix of amenities we knew residents would expect in a building of this caliber,” said Ted Fahey, vice president of real estate for Mansueto Office. “An important part of that experience is the level of service we provide, delivered by a dedicated team of on-site professionals including a 24/7 valet parking attendant, concierge and door attendant.”
Additional resident offerings include Luxer One package service and on-site Tesla rentals. The Belden-Stratford is also home to Mon Ami Gabi, a popular French bistro with a direct connection to the building’s lobby, giving residents an elegant on-site dining option in addition to the variety of restaurants found in the surrounding neighborhood.
About The Belden-Stratford: The Belden-Stratford is a 209-unit luxury rental property located in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood overlooking the Lincoln Park Zoo and Conservatory. Originally constructed in 1923, the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is known for its Beaux-Arts architecture. The 16-story building is owned by Mansueto Office, Inc. and managed by Waterton. Solomon Cordwell Buenz is the architect-of-record for the building’s recent restoration and renovation, Vinci Hamp Architects, Inc. is the building’s historic architect, and Bulley & Andrews served as the general contractor for the renovation project.