When Presidential Towers was built in the 1980s, it was billed as a self-sufficient “city within a city,” utilizing a fortress-like design to wall itself off from the once-dreary West Loop. As the area around it evolved, “PT” remained stuck in the past — until Taylor Johnson client Waterton acquired the property in 2007 and began a multi-year redevelopment. In addition to updating all 2,346 residences — a process that is in its final stages — Waterton renovated the community’s common areas and added street-facing retail entrances that connect Presidential Towers to the surrounding neighborhood. The Chicago Tribune recently stopped by for a tour of the new PT, which was featured in the latest “Apartment Hunt” column.

Nearly 2,100 of Presidential Towers’ 2,346 apartments have been renovated, with the remainder scheduled to be completed by the end of 2017.