Brewster Apartments

The Brewster Apartments is a residential building in Lake View featuring a pink granite exterior with exposed cast iron staircases. The eight-story structure incorporates glass block bridge walkways that connect different sections while maintaining its original character.

The building was constructed between 1893 and 1896 by architect Enock Hill Turnock for Norwegian publisher Bjoerne Edwards. Its pioneering use of skeleton-frame construction became influential in early skyscraper development.

The building has appeared in films and television productions, making it recognizable to audiences beyond Chicago. Its distinctive design with open iron staircases and glass block walkways creates a memorable look that draws attention from creative industries.

The building sits at the corner of Diversey and Pine Grove Avenue in the Lake View neighborhood. The original architectural elements remain intact, making it easy to view the details from the street when visiting the area.

The building features a massive overhead skylight that brings natural light into interior spaces in an unusual way. This design choice shows how late nineteenth-century architects solved practical problems with inventive solutions.