JMG and Empire Square Group Acquire Automatic Lofts in Chicago

by Scott Reid

Chicago — JMG Realty Inc. and Empire Square Group have acquired the 482-bed Automatic Lofts student housing building in Chicago’s West Loop area.

Automatic Lofts was redeveloped in 2006 into a 482-bed student community with 5,800 square feet of street-level retail space and a heated parking garage. Located within walking distance of the University of Illinois at Chicago campus, Automatic Lofts is also steps away from the CTA Blue line (UIC-Halsted station), making it an attractive living option for students at colleges in the downtown area including Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago, Columbia, Robert Morris and DePaul Universities.

Built in 1910 as a factory, the structure housed the Automatic Electric Co. and produced the Strowger electromagnetic telephone switch. Automatic Lofts is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Original building components include timber columns, high ceilings and exposed brick walls. Units feature Herman Miller furnishings. JMG and Empire Square will be enhancing the appeal of property with several enhancements to the common areas and the building services this year.

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