Law firm expands Chicago headquarters by more than 20%, bringing total footprint to 80,000 square feet

Friedman Properties, a Chicago-based real estate investment and development firm, today announced the completion of an 80,000-square-foot lease renewal and expansion with Bartlit Beck LLP at Court House Place, located at 54 W. Hubbard St. in Chicago’s River North neighborhood. The transaction increased the law firm’s footprint by more than 20%.

“Bartlit Beck’s decision to expand at Court House Place not only furthers the building’s rich history in law, but it also underscores the continued demand we’re seeing from companies that value distinctive spaces in diverse and vibrant locations,” said Albert Friedman, CEO and chairman of Friedman Properties. “River North’s blend of historic architecture, 24-hour activity and walkable dining, shopping and entertainment continues to draw companies focused on an enhanced employee experience.”

Bartlit Beck is a national law firm, headquartered at Court House Place since 1993, with expertise in high-stakes commercial litigation, intellectual property, antitrust and unfair trade practices, breach of contract, shareholder disputes and product liability. Renovations will begin soon on the additional 15,000 square feet.

“Court House Place has been an ideal Chicago office environment, supporting the needs of our clients and national litigation practice,” said Jason Peltz, managing partner of Bartlit Beck LLP. “This expansion reflects the firm’s strategic investment in the infrastructure necessary to uphold our high standards of excellence. By expanding our footprint in this historic venue, we are ensuring that our trial lawyers have the dedicated resources and collaborative space necessary to tackle our clients’ most complex legal challenges and deliver the successful results for which Bartlit Beck is known.”

Designed by architect Otto H. Matz and constructed in 1893, the Romanesque-style Court House Place is notable for its arched entry, corner tourelles, arcade windows and rusticated stone façade. Formerly serving as the Cook County criminal court, the site where Court House Place is located has hosted many infamous trials, including those for Leopold and Loeb, the Black Sox and Haymarket rioters, as well as the insanity hearings of Mary Todd Lincoln. Additionally, many literary figures spent time in the building’s fourth-floor pressroom, including Carl Sandburg, Sherwood Anderson and reporters-turned-playwrights Ben Hecht and Charles McArthur, whose play, “The Front Page,” was inspired by their time covering trials in the building.

After acquiring the seven-story, 107,000-square-foot property in 1985, Friedman Properties executed a full redevelopment, transforming it into a modern office building while thoughtfully preserving the dramatic lobby and other historic architectural elements. A significant renovation in 2018 added a rooftop deck and dual-egress stair tower to the building that allowed for the elimination of exterior fire escapes. Other improvements at that time included updated MEP systems, modernized exterior lighting and refreshed common areas, restrooms and tenant space.

Court House Place is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been designated a Chicago landmark.

About Friedman Properties:

Founded in 1970, Friedman Properties owns and operates a growing portfolio of more than 50 mixed-use properties encompassing over 5 million square feet concentrated in Chicago’s River North. Spanning the office, retail, restaurant, residential, parking, event and hospitality sectors, the firm’s diversified holdings include some of Chicago’s most iconic structures, including the Reid Murdoch Building, Courthouse Place, Tree Studios and the Medinah Temple. Friedman Properties is also recognized for leading ground-up developments that seamlessly integrate into historic neighborhoods, with such projects as the Moxy Chicago Downtown hotel and the “triplex” hospitality development at 501 N. Clark, home to Aloft, Hyatt Place and Fairfield Inn & Suites hotels, among many others. For more information, visit www.friedmanproperties.com.

About Bartlit Beck:

Bartlit Beck is a premier litigation boutique with a remarkable record of courtroom victories in high-stakes, complex litigation. The firm’s successes include trial wins, victories on motions and appeals, and creative settlements across the gamut of commercial litigation, intellectual property, antitrust and unfair trade practices, breach of contract, shareholder disputes, and product liability.