Developer completes first phase of renovations at Reid Murdoch Building

Chicago-based developer Friedman Properties have announced the completion of the first phase of renovations at the Reid Murdoch Building in Chicago’s River North neighborhood. Designed to enhance the tenant experience, the improvements included renovations to the lobby, corridors, restrooms and elevator cabs, as well as a new fully furnished riverfront spec office suite.

“Designed to appeal to today’s office tenant, these modernizations seamlessly introduce contemporary finishes and amenities while simultaneously honoring the historic building’s legacy,” said Albert Friedman, CEO and chairman of Friedman Properties. “Companies come to the Reid Murdoch Building for a differentiated office experience and to tap into the vibrancy of River North, one of the most desirable mixed-use neighborhoods in the country.”

Friedman Properties acquired the eight-story, 320,000-square-foot Reid Murdoch Building in 1998 and completed initial redevelopment in 2002. The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been designated a Chicago Landmark. 

The lobby transformation creates an inviting and cohesive space, with a mix of exposed ceilings and concrete columns that pay homage to the building’s historic character, brickwork that mimics the look and feel of the exterior facade and installation of sleek terrazzo floors. A digital wall showcases a variety of captivating visuals while a prominent, hand-painted mural depicts Reid Murdoch Company’s Monarch Foods logo, a nod to the building’s past.

Located on the third floor, the riverfront spec suite spans 5,388 square feet, with a lounge and collaboration space, two conference rooms, three private offices, 29 flexible workstations and an expansive, open kitchen. The suite’s large windows bring in abundant natural light while framing views of the Chicago River and surrounding cityscape.

“Demand for move-in-ready office space will continue to grow in 2025 as more companies solidify their real estate needs,” said Friedman. “With its authentic vintage elements, large floor plates and modern efficiencies, the Reid Murdoch Building offers a distinctive work environment that would be impossible to replicate today through new construction.”

The Reid Murdoch Building was originally constructed in 1914 as office, warehouse and manufacturing facilities for Reid, Murdoch & Co., one of the country’s largest wholesale grocers. The city of Chicago purchased the property in 1955 to house traffic courts and other municipal offices, a use it retained until Friedman Properties’ acquisition of the building.

Designed by George C. Nimmons, the Reid Murdoch Building is a notable example of the “Chicago School” of architecture, with a red brick facade and decorative terra-cotta embellishments covering a steel-and-concrete skeleton. In 1926, the building’s symmetry was adjusted to accommodate the widening of LaSalle Street, reducing the side of the building west of the central tower to five window bays, while the east side retained its original six.

The second phase of renovations now underway at the Reid Murdoch Building includes a new amenity suite with a fitness center and tenant lounge. Completion of the second phase is scheduled for April 2025.

Notable tenants at the Reid Murdoch Building include Fortune 500 home appliances manufacturer Whirlpool Corporation; Encyclopedia Britannica, a renowned publisher of educational and reference materials; Walton Isaacson, an independent marketing agency; Priority Sports, a professional sports management firm; and an international confectionary company that recently expanded its lease to occupy 30,000 square feet within the building.

Last month, Friedman Properties announced the Reid Murdoch Building’s first-floor retail space will house “Theater of the Mind,” an immersive theatrical experience scheduled to launch this fall as part of Goodman Theatre’s centennial 2025/2026 season. Co-created by musician and artist David Byrne — best known as the frontman of new wave band Talking Heads — the permanent installation is expected to draw approximately 100,000 visitors in its first year.