(Above) A new tenant lounge at Reid Murdoch Building includes a mural by artist Kate Lewis. Photo by Marcel Page. (Click on images to view larger versions.)

By Steven Dahlman

Jun. 18, 2025 – It has been written about since 1913, the year before it opened, and appears in photos of the 1915 Eastland Disaster. But in defiance of its age, Reid Murdoch Building has completed a second phase of renovation, this time adding a tenant lounge and fitness center, while balancing, says the owner, modernization with retaining the authenticity of the Chicago landmark.

The lounge and fitness center (left) are in a 5,600-square-foot amenity suite constructed on the fourth floor. Photo by Marcel Page

The suite includes cardio equipment, Peloton bikes, locker rooms, and two new conference rooms.

“As employee habits transform, office properties must adapt to ever-changing demands,” said Albert Friedman (right), Chairman/CEO of Friedman Properties. “This is particularly true for historic structures like the Reid Murdoch Building. Designed to foster social interaction and promote health and well-being, these new facilities will further modernize the property while retaining the architectural character that sets it apart within the marketplace.”

Another recent renovation to the riverfront property added a 5,388-square-foot pre-built office suite on the third floor that includes two conference rooms, three private offices, 29 flexible workstations, a lounge and collaboration space, and an open kitchen.

“Theater of the Mind,” an immersive theatrical experience co-created by artist David Byrne and part of Goodman Theatre’s 2025/2026 season, is scheduled to open this fall in a 19,000-square-foot space on the first floor.

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