The renovation of the residential lobby at 7 West Madison Street for The School of the Art Institute of Chicago delivers a clear and functional update to a historic campus building in Chicago’s Loop. The building designed by Holabird & Roche and completed in 1905 is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and continues to serve as an active residential building of the SAIC campus. This project is one of two residential lobby renovations completed during this period along with work at 162 State Street. The Madison Street renovation focused on preservation while introducing new elements that improve circulation operations and daily use.

The renovation establishes a new entry sequence that improves movement through the lobby and clarifies how students and visitors access the elevators and shared spaces. Circulation was simplified to support high daily traffic and improve visibility across the lobby.

A new security desk is the primary new architectural element in the lobby. The desk is located along the perimeter which opens the lobby core and improves movement. It is fabricated from Corian and formed by three connected circular segments. The geometry of the desk defines the areas of entry, check-in and provides an ADA compliant counter.

The new poured-in-place terrazzo flooring reflects the original terrazzo finish and outline pattern discovered beneath previous layers of renovation. The new terrazzo uses a white tone that improves light levels and references the original profile edge detail.

New amenities were added and integrated into historic elements to support student use. Food drop off shelving, a framed digital display monitor, and security storage were placed beneath and adjacent to the stair. These elements are finished in white oak to clearly identify new construction while remaining consistent across the lobby. The white oak finish also provides continuity between the amenities and other new interventions. A new white oak stair re-articulates the original stair geometry and improves long term performance and safety while maintaining the stair’s prominence within the lobby.

The renovation of the 7 West Madison Street lobby demonstrates The School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s approach to updating historic buildings through targeted interventions. The project improves circulation, accessibility, and operational efficiency while preserving the building’s historic identity. The completed lobby provides a clear functional entry space that supports student life and ongoing use within SAIC’s urban campus.