The Palmolive Building is one of the city's best examples of art deco architecture, with its forcefully vertical profile, setbacks and restrained geometric detailing.

The Palmolive name is a return to roots for a structure that was known for years as The Playboy Building and housed Hugh Hefner's famous publishing operation.

Historic restoration

Architects Booth Hansen Associates have restored the building, a landmark, to that earlier era too. A grand new lobby, reminiscent of the 1929 original that was lost to renovation in the 1960s, features walnut paneling and marble casework and floors. The doors are of nickel and glass doors, with transoms, and there's the sort of lounge common in buildings of this vintage. Elevator carvings are by sculptor Enrique Alferez.

"The building is absolutely the best, one of the great buildings of Chicago and in the country. We looked at the fundamental excellence of the architecture, the straightforward, simple proportions, the grand dignity and just enormous restraint of the building," said Larry Booth, the renovation architect. The original design was by Holabird & Root.

Exterior

Exterior materials include limestone block laid over a steel and brick frame, with decorative terra cotta panels and carved stone. Special lighting is designed to highlight teh verticality of tower, according to architect Larry Booth.

Features, finishes

Ceiling heights range from around 9.5 feet to 18 feet in penthouses, and several unusual terrace units offer terraces of up to 4,000 square feet. Smart house technology allows buyers to control lighting, music, temperature and other functions from computer touch screens and to control their condos remotely via the Internet.

Prices

In October 2007, prices ranged from the $2 million to  $2.4 million.

Mechanicals

The building has all new mechanicals, including plumbing, electric and HVAC -- and all new elevators, including three passenger elevators and a freight to typical floors.

A new, indoor valet garage has a climate-controlled parking environment and an interior drop-off area with direct access to the residential lobby.

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