Character of St. Philippus saved in new loft development

Granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, Brazilian cherry hardwood floors, and frameless glass shower doors. Not what you would expect to see inside a turn-of-the-century church, but that is exactly the case in what is now St. Philippus Lofts in McKinley Park. The building was completed in 1913 and was the place of worship for many for decades.

Due to a dwindling number of parishioners, the building was put up for sale.

The building was sold to a development group that converted the building into ten two- or three-bedroom condos. The home adjacent to the building has been annexed and is part of the St. Philippus Lofts development.

Before construction began, the developer group had two guiding principles:  Build the project with exceptional craftsmanship and materials that area residents will respond to favorably, and maintain and preserve the original character and integrity of the building while modernizing it for today’s buyer.

            The development is nearly complete. Paul Melchert, a former parishioner who now lives in Tinley Park, was in the neighborhood and drove by his former church. What he saw was not how he remembered it. Balconies and clear instead of stained glass windows now adorned the building.

He called the listing agent, Armando Chacon from Century 21 S.G.R. Inc., to arrange a preview of the inside. He also asked if he could bring a few of his fellow former parishioners, and Chacon obliged. Also in attendance was Joe Esposito, one of the partners in the development.

 

Impressive transformation

Immediately after coming inside, they were amazed and impressed at the transformation. Melchert said, “I was so disappointed when I heard the church was sold but to see it come back to life the way it has, I am just blown away.” Getting such positive feedback satisfied one of the developer’s key objectives: to maintain and preserve the original character and integrity of the building.

            In creating the St. Philippus Lofts, Esposito was inspired by another, North Side church conversion. Months later, Esposito came across an ad in the Gazette that advertised the church St. Philippus church for sale. The church was purchased and construction began shortly thereafter. From the beginning, preserving the original character of the church was paramount. “We did not want to raze the church to put up a box, and I think the community appreciates that,” Esposito said.

            Christian Milewski, a partner in the development group and president of C.A. Construction and Management Inc. made the tough decisions early in construction such as demolishing the entire west arm of the building, as retaining it would have forced  units there to have seven-foot ceilings instead of nine-and-a-half-foot ceilings, as they have now.

“It was a tough decision due to the additional cost but I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Milewski said. “It was also important to us to keep the original gothic architecture of the arched windows so we installed custom arched windows instead of conventional square windows.”

 

Top-quality standard finishes

            So far, the response and feedback from those who have purchased condos at St. Philippus have satisfied the developers’ other key objective: to build a product superior to “cookie-cutter like” condos. It was also important to the developers not to have buyers have to spend thousands of dollars in upgrades. The standard finishes of all units include Brazilian hardwood floors, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, modern cabinetry, recessed lighting throughout, and luxurious bathrooms. Master bathrooms also come standard with rain showers.

“This development has successfully differentiated itself for not only its unique setting, but for its high end finishes and attention to detail that give buyers that awe factor,” Chacon said. “Having shown hundreds of homes and knowing the current inventory, I know our units are almost impossible to beat when you compare our units to others in or outside the area. The developer didn’t take any short cuts and has standards set high on all levels of construction so they stand behind the final product. I challenge anyone to show me another two bedroom/two bathroom condo with spa like bathrooms that come standard with marble tile surround (including ceiling) and a rain shower for $259,900.”

            Jennifer and Salvador Garcia looked at single family homes for almost a year before realizing a condo was better suited for them. Jennifer Garcia thought “the amenities were modern, the finishes were beautiful, and it was within our price range. The location is fabulous, it is right off I-55, a block from the Orange Line, and a block from a huge park, McKinley Park. The conversion that has been done is charming and the neighborhood is able to maintain its integrity without having a new structure that changes the original landscape.”

            A model is complete and ready for viewing. There are four units left with the opportunity to pick finishes. All remaining units can be completed in less than 30 days. The units range from $259,900 to $379,900 and include one parking space. Units range from two bedrooms/two bathrooms up to three bedrooms plus den/2.5 bath and range in size from 1,027 to 2,468 square feet. For more information or to schedule a showing, call Chacon at (312)543-8219.

            A ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening is planned for Thursday, May 15, at 6 p.m. at  3556 S. Seeley. Call (312) 863-6204.