“It’s the kind of story that we really want to replicate up and down our commercial corridors, a real respect for what these buildings are.”

Behind an assuming storefront on this busy stretch of Armitage hides a soaring bowtruss warehouse - the longtime home of AAA Metals, a local tool manufacturer. After years of pressure from developers ready to raze the 120-year-old structure, the property was instead purchased by a local photographer looking to maintain its commercial presence and inject a fresh energy into the block. Via Chicago worked together with stylist Johanna Lowe to convert the building into a new food-focused photography studio. The updated space is alive with interior gardens, a hidden courtyard, a large prep kitchen, and a 3,000 sq ft flexible studio space for video and photography crews. Rather than concealing the building’s history, the entire team worked to highlight the hard-earned patina that results from 100 years of industrial use.

/// www.parchmentstudio.com

Architect: Via Chicago
Interiors & Styling: Johanna Lowe
General Contractor: Formed Space
Structural Engineer: Rockey Structures
MEP Engineer: ACGi, Intl.
Owner’s Rep: Zora Popovic

Featured in BlockClub Chicago, October 2021
Highlighted by Preservation Chicago, October 2021