Downer Place Lofts was founded by Jack and Marc Berger—two brothers with deep roots in Chicago’s loft development scene. Their journey began with a vision and a boarded-up building in an area later to be called River North and their first loft project called the Loftworks at the corner of Illinois and Wells two blocks from the famed Merchandise Mart. From River North they made their way to another new area with the renovation of what was to be called the River West Lofts in the near northwest side of Chicago. While visiting a friend not far from the downtown of Aurora, Jack happened upon a neglected 1920s structure slated for demolition, he didn’t see ruin, he saw potential.

By working closely with several visionaries in Mayor David Pierce’s Office, several very pro-development Aldermen who believed in the redevelopment of downtown Aurora, and the “let’s just do it” head of Economic Development of the city of Aurora, that vision became the first major redevelopment in Aurora’s multi-unit residential downtown rejuvenation—Downer Place Lofts—a vibrant redevelopment honoring the building’s rich history as a textile factory and basement cafe. Today, Downer Place Lofts continue the legacy that the brothers started by breathing new life into forgotten spaces and blending historic character with modern design.