The long-quiet Oxxford Clothes building at 1220 West Van Buren is finally getting its comeback, and a new batch of interior renderings is putting some glossy visuals behind the plan. Rebranded as Oxxford Lofts, the former warehouse is on track for roughly 112 rental units, a full slate of amenities, and a new rooftop hangout level perched at the edge of the Eisenhower Expressway, all while leaning into the building’s brick-and-beam bones.
Renderings tease clubby loft units and shared spaces
Fresh images from SITU Design play up exposed brick, hefty timber, and big warehouse-style windows, with warm wood and sleek finishes softening the industrial edges. The building’s common areas aim for “private club” more than “generic lobby,” with first-floor programming that includes a speakeasy-style lounge, lobby, and library, according to Chicago YIMBY. An added eighth floor is set to include a gym, sauna, yoga room, golf simulator, and tenant co-working and conference spaces.
Developers promise to keep the factory’s character
The conversion is being led by Base 3 Development, with The Missner Group serving as general contractor. The Missner Group’s project description calls the 115,000-square-foot property historically significant and outlines plans to turn it into 112 multifamily units with upscale finishes and shared spaces such as a rooftop deck, gym and coworking area. According to The Missner Group, the design keeps the building’s industrial DNA front and center, preserving exposed beams and brickwork while restoring the exterior masonry.
Permit price tag, construction timeline and a long runway
A renovation permit was issued in April with an approval value of roughly $15.5 million after a multi-month city review, clearing the way for interior work to move ahead. As reported by Chicago YIMBY, developers expect renovations to begin in May, with initial delivery of units anticipated in summer 2027. City records also show that an earlier renovation permit was approved in 2019, underscoring how long reuse ideas for the site have been in play; those prior permits are available through Chicago Cityscape.
What this means for the West Loop
The project picked up City Council approval in 2024 and will turn the former showroom and factory into apartments while satisfying the city’s Affordable Requirements Ordinance with on-site affordable units. Urbanize Chicago notes that roughly 20 percent of homes will be reserved to meet those ARO rules, and the adaptive reuse approach keeps a piece of the area’s industrial fabric intact even as new residents and services arrive.
If the current permits hold and crews roll in as planned, neighbors should first see demolition and structural work, followed by interior build-outs that aim to keep the loft vibe while layering in contemporary finishes. For the West Loop, the Oxxford Lofts conversion is a preservation-minded reboot of a longtime landmark at the neighborhood’s edge that also happens to plug in new housing and amenity space where an old factory once churned.
