1111 S Wabash

1111 S Wabash is a 34-story South Loop condo tower completed in 2005 by Pappageorge Haymes — one of Chicago's most prolific residential architects. The building offers some of the best value per square foot of any downtown Chicago building, and the units themselves are a genuine selling point: many are generously proportioned by Chicago standards, with layouts that feel spacious in a way that newer micro-unit towers don't.

The interior story is mixed. The building has a range of finishes — some units have been fully remodeled with modern kitchens and baths, while others still have the original 2005 finishes showing their age. If you're buying, the unit condition varies significantly floor to floor and owner to owner. If you're renting, ask specifically about the unit's renovation status before signing.

The building does show its age in common areas. The outdoor pool is small, the pool deck has limited seating and deck chairs, and the overall amenity package is modest compared to newer South Loop towers. The rooftop deck, however, is a genuine asset — residents consistently mention it as one of the best spots in the city to watch the July 4th fireworks over Grant Park and the lakefront.

The South Loop location puts you close to the Roosevelt CTA, Grant Park, the Museum Campus, and the lakefront. The neighborhood has been improving steadily, and 1111 S Wabash sits in a good pocket of it — walkable to restaurants and retail without being in the noisiest part of the neighborhood.

South Loop — the building is in the northern part of the South Loop, close to the Roosevelt CTA and within walking distance of Grant Park. The neighborhood has improved significantly since the building was constructed, with more restaurants and retail than when original buyers purchased.