Urbanize gets an inside look at The Belden-Stratford

Urbanize recently got an inside look at the Belden-Stratford, the iconic Beaux-Arts apartment building in Lincoln Park. Located at 2300 N. Lincoln Park West, the building has just reopened to residents following an extensive renovation that has restored the grandeur of the 100-year-old building while providing amenities and residences for today’s renters.

Overlooking the Lincoln Park Zoo and Conservatory, the 16-story property was constructed in 1923 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Designed by architect Meyer Fridstein, it originally opened as a residential hotel before eventually transitioning entirely to rental apartments. The Belden-Stratford was purchased in 2018 by Mansueto Office – the investment firm of Joe Mansueto, who was a resident of the property during the 1980s – and renovation work began in late 2020. Today, it comprises 209 luxury apartments, including studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom residences as well as a selection of penthouses with double-height living space, with monthly rents ranging from $2,500 to $15,000. 

With our tour led by Ted Fahey, vice president of real estate for Mansueto Office, we began in the building’s main lobby, whose gilded plaster molding and gold-leaf detailing was fully refurbished. With Solomon Cordwell Buenz as architect of record and Vinci Hamp Architects serving as the historic architect, much of the work done around the building was undoing changes made over the years to bring the property back to its original splendor.

Heading up to the second floor, we toured the building’s new amenity offerings for residents. The building’s amenity package includes a two-level fitness center that used to be a ballroom, a billiards and media lounge, wine tasting room, reservable conference rooms and meeting space, and a basement wine storage room. Residents also have access to a mezzanine level lounge that overlooks the lobby and faces outside through an original arched picture window. 

Working our way up the building, we next looked at a few model units. All residences have 9-foot ceilings and are appointed with an elegant finish package including quartz countertops, GE Profile™ stainless steel appliances and full-size, front-loading washers and dryers. The apartments measure between 483 and 1,689 square feet. We also stopped by one of the penthouse units on the 15th floor which feature double-height living spaces.

We finished out the tour by heading up to the building’s roof deck. Outfitted with grilling stations and seating areas, the south- and east-facing roof deck provides extensive views of Lincoln Park, Lake Michigan, and the downtown skyline to the south.

Leasing and move-ins are underway, and the building is expected to be fully occupied by year-end. For leasing information or to schedule a tour, visit www.BeldenStratford.com or call (844) 326-5908. An on-site leasing office is open daily by appointment only.