"Chicago's only high-rise designed by an African American architect — now apartments, still iconic."
Ratings Breakdown
Upper Level's exclusive rating for Chicago winter survivability — indoor parking, pedway access, CTA proximity, and wind exposure.
The Rundown
820 Michigan is the former Johnson Publishing Company headquarters — home of *Ebony* and *Jet* magazines for decades. Built in 1971 and designed by John Warren Moutoussamy, it is the first and only Chicago high-rise designed by an African American architect. The building was sold in 2017 and converted to 150 apartments by 3L Real Estate, opening as residential in 2019.
The conversion preserved the building's distinctive modernist exterior and incorporated historical tributes to its Ebony/Jet legacy — including a rooftop terrace with the original "EBONY JET" signage. At 11 stories, it's low-rise by South Loop standards, but the Michigan Avenue address delivers genuine Grant Park and lake views from upper floors.
Who Lives Here
Residents who appreciate architectural history and cultural significance. The Michigan Avenue address and Grant Park proximity attract renters who want a quieter, more residential South Loop experience.
The Neighborhood
South Loop on Michigan Avenue — Grant Park is across the street, the Museum Campus is a short walk south, and the lakefront path is steps away. The building is in one of the most historically and culturally significant blocks in Chicago.
What You Get
Elevator Experience
Upper Level Intel
Chicago's Only High-Rise by an African American Architect
820 Michigan was designed by John Warren Moutoussamy — a Chicago architect who designed several notable buildings in the city. It is the first and only Chicago high-rise designed by an African American architect. The building's conversion to apartments preserved this legacy, and the rooftop terrace pays tribute to the Ebony and Jet magazines that called this building home for decades.
Ask for an Upper-Floor East-Facing Unit
Upper-floor east-facing units at 820 Michigan have genuine Grant Park and lake views — a significant amenity at a price point well below newer Michigan Avenue towers. The building's 11-story height means you don't need to be on the top floor to get meaningful views on the east side.
The Good & The Not-So-Good
Wins
- ✓Architecturally and historically significant building
- ✓Michigan Avenue address — Grant Park views from upper floors
- ✓Rooftop terrace with the original Ebony/Jet signage
- ✓More affordable than newer South Loop towers
- ✓Go Grocer on ground floor
Watch Out
- ✗11-story building — limited views on lower floors
- ✗No pool
- ✗1971 construction — some building systems are dated despite the renovation
- ✗Limited parking options
The Verdict
820 Michigan is one of the most architecturally and culturally significant buildings in the South Loop. The conversion has been done with care, and the Michigan Avenue address with Grant Park views is genuinely valuable. It's not the most amenity-rich building, but the history, location, and price point make it a compelling choice for the right renter.
Getting Out of Chicago
Ask Upper Level
Add to the Record
Know something we don't?
Residents, former residents, and people who toured 820 Michigan: your intel makes this review more accurate for everyone. Anonymous. No account needed.
Compare this building
See how 820 Michigan stacks up against similar buildings side by side.
Compare BuildingsYou Might Also Like
NEMA Chicago
Chicago's flashiest rental — two tiers, one building, and an amenity package that genuinely has no equal.
Park Michigan
Millennium Park in your backyard, at a price that won't make you cry.
1000M
Helmut Jahn's final Chicago masterpiece — now a rental tower, and it earns the superlative.