Corten Addition Transforms Butcher Shop in Chicago into a Modern Home

There was a time when every street corner had a tiny shop; a local store where everyone went to buy groceries, supplies and pretty much anything else they needed. The shops were part of a large house with the owner living above and running their business on the ground level. Today, such homes are becoming rarer and a project like the Cortez House in Chicago by moss Design brings back a part of this timeless charm. Revamping an old building in a busy Chicago neighborhood that had retail space on the lower floor, the new residence brings the old and the new together in a seamless manner.

Corten rear addition adds additional space to this revamped butcher shop in Chicago












The old sections of the retail outlet were upgraded and enhanced with features like a Bromann Brothers cooler being left untouched to serve the needs of the new homeowners. Beyond this, a more modern home takes over. A smart, space-savvy corten-clad addition now makes up the rear section and this is the block that adds a new upper level master suite that contains two bedrooms and a bathroom. Brick, metal and glass come together effortlessly at this transformed Chicago style that is draped in neutral colors on the inside.

Rear yard offers space for a little bit of gardening
Restored cooler wall dividing the workshop from the main living space
View inside the more modern interior of the Cortez House
Wooden railing for the staircase with dark metallic bars on the edge
Corten steel panels create a greener and more interesting home
Large hallway of the home in white with ample natural light and wood walls for the room

Furring strips were attached to the exterior face so the Corten could be attached to the strips. This system allows for the water that seeps behind the Corten siding to have a drainage plane to get out from behind the wall, instead of inside the building. Aside from the beautiful aesthetics of Corten, the material naturally forms a protective layer of rust that blends nicely over time with the Chicago Common brick on the rest of the building…

Master bedroom of the home on the upper level with glass walls that usher in ample natural light
Small, upper level sitting space and living area of the home with an exposed brick wall
Street facade of the Cortez House
Tiles in black and white add pattern to the bathroom floor
Blue vanity for the bathroom adds color and contrast to the space
Glass shower area for the bathroom in white with a modern appeal
Guest bathroom in white with pops of black and gold that bring contrast
Floor plan of the revamped Cortez Street House

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