05/30/2026
I say I have a lot of favorite residential buildings in Chicago, but this is absolutely top three.. THE PATTINGTON. I am lucky enough to have a home for sale in this grand double courtyard building that, when built, was the largest apartment complex in Chicago. (If you'd like a private tour of this elegant residence, send me a DM, but for a bit more info on this beauty, read on! )
While the rooms are smaller than in some grander buildings, the Pattington remains Chicago's most impressive open-court apartment complex of its day. Built for James E. Patton of Milwaukee, its two connected courtyards reflect a physical layout that would become extremely popular among Local flat builders, although rarely of this size or elegance. Ten entrances enable residents of the more than 70 residences to retain some level of privacy while reducing traffic on individual stairwells and landings. In this walk-up, freight elevators were intended to ease the task of moving heavy furniture and appliances. The gold brick and stone building, running 422 feet along Irving Park, has some refined neoclassical ornamenta-tion, including column-flanked portals and a balustraded walkway.
Originally built for rental purposes, the Pattington incorporated concrete as part of its fireproofing method, used previously, promoters declared, only for industrial or commercial purposes. The Pattington has been a condominium since 1977.
