Tribune Tower 2004

Crain's recently reported that 2004 is expected to return to the market, and it reminded me of a conversation I hadn't thought about in a while. About a year ago, the Tribune Tower Association asked me to represent the home as a rental. It gave me a chance to spend time inside a property that, even after years of working in the building, I still think about.

I've been fortunate to see just about every floor plan Tribune Tower has to offer. Some are larger. Some sit higher. Some have better outdoor space. But every now and then you walk into a home that simply feels different, and 2004 was one of those for me. It wasn't one specific room or a particular finish. It was the scale, the proportion and the way the original architecture still defines the experience of living there.

I think people sometimes confuse luxury with excess. Bigger kitchens, longer lists of amenities and more expensive materials certainly have their place, but they don't necessarily create a memorable home. What makes 2004 special is that it couldn't be replicated today. The nearly 18 foot ceilings, the original Gothic windows and the volume of the living space are all products of a building that was never intended to be ordinary. You can renovate a kitchen. You can't recreate that.

That's probably why the home stayed with me. I've walked through hundreds of luxury properties across Chicago, and very few have the same sense of presence. Before you notice the appliances or the millwork, you're already looking up at the architecture. In my opinion, that's what separates a truly exceptional home from an expensive one.

The recent headlines will naturally bring more attention to 2004, but I suspect that's not what its next owner will remember. They'll remember what I did the first time I walked through the front door: that this doesn't feel like another luxury condo. It feels like a home that could only exist inside Tribune Tower.

Tribune Tower is one of the few buildings in Chicago where the floor plan can completely change the experience of living there. After representing buyers and sellers throughout the building, I've developed a strong appreciation for what makes certain homes truly stand out.

If you're considering Tribune Tower, whether it's 2004 or another opportunity, feel free to reach out. I'm always happy to share my perspective on the building, its homes and the market.