WEST TOWN — Eckhardt Lofts — eight one-bedroom apartments above the former Rothschild Liquor Mart in West Town — are ready for April tenants.
"We just officially put them on the market yesterday morning and have had an amazing response. I think I have 15 tours lined up over the next few days. No leases signed yet, but I’m sure we will by next week," the building's co-owner Chad Tepley said on Tuesday.
Located in a three-story brick building at 1532 W. Chicago Ave., the lofts range in size from 575 to 720 square feet.
They lofts are named for saloon keeper/alderman Nicholas "Nick" Eckhardt, who in 1867 built the building which bears his last name on the facade.
According to a history page on the loft website, Eckhardt and his wife and six children lived on the upper two floors of the building, and a saloon occupied the ground level.
Last January, the iconic neon "Rothschild Liquors" sign that had hung over the building for decades was removed. The apartments above the liquor store had fallen into disrepair and were boarded up at the time of the sale.
Tepley's business partner and building co-owner Robert Sekula said the firm wanted to keep the sign but the Rothschild Liquors family removed it after the sale was finalized.
Rents range from $1,695 to $1,990 monthly and the units feature tall ceilings and exposed brick walls, washer and dryers, hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances and white granite kitchen counters.
There is also private garage parking and large private decks and patios for each unit. Pets are welcome for an extra $25 per month rent, Tepley said.
During the nine month gut rehab that was chronicled online, Sekula said several "artifacts" such as beer mugs, spittoons and plates were discovered in the back of the property by Eric Nordstrom with Urban Remains.
"We plan on framing some of these items and pictures of the building during construction in the common areas to show the history and cultural identity of this property," Sekula said.
There is currently an available retail spot on the first floor where Rothschild's was located.
"We are still searching for a tenant on the ground level. We’d love a boutique use that fits with the energy of the building and neighborhood," Tepley said.
Renters interested in the lofts can text Tepley at 773-263-1950. For more info, visit Eckhardt Lofts website.
The sign in its glory and on the day it was removed in Jan. 2016 . [Vito Fun/Flickr (neon sign); Chris Hunt/Seek Vintage]
Do you recognize the Rothschild Liquor Mart building w/out the sign? pic.twitter.com/UdeVXvcJFV
— Alisa Hauser (@DNA_WPB) March 22, 2017
