CHICAGO — First move-ins are expected to begin later this month or early September for The Bellwether, an office-to-residential conversion of the building at 79 W. Monroe in Chicago’s Loop. RMK Management Corp. has been hired to oversee leasing and property management for the 14-story, 117-unit community, which is currently 57 percent leased.
Originally built in 1905, the property underwent a major expansion in 1924, serving as office space and a bank headquarters over the years. In 2025, R2 Cos. began redevelopment of the structure. The project marks the first office-to-residential conversion to be completed as part of the city’s LaSalle Street revitalization initiative, which provides private funding and tax-increment financing assistance for mixed-income residential projects and other neighborhood-oriented amenities in the corridor.
The Bellwether features studio, one- and two-bedroom units measuring 425 to 1,178 square feet, with rents ranging from $1,996 to $4,887 per month. The property includes 41 Affordable Requirements Ordinance units. Amenities include a variety of remote workspaces on the 14th floor, a bar area, fitness center, two sauna rooms, a game room, dog spa and rooftop deck.