Leopardo recently completed the historic renovation of the new upscale Walgreens store, which features a sushi station, beautician bar and vitamin vault.
The new flagship Walgreens is located within the historic Noel State Bank building in Chicago’s Bucktown neighborhood at the corner of North, Milwaukee and Damen avenues. The 30,000-square-foot, three-story building was built in 1919 and is a registered Chicago landmark.
“The one-of-a-kind retail location preserves the stunning and historic building’s original architectural integrity,” according to a Walgreens corporate announcement, which also detailed the extensive restoration on the building’s coffered plaster ceiling, which features elaborate designs. At the ceiling’s center is a large stained glass window with a six-point star design. The main level sales floor includes a coffee bar, juice bar, sushi bar and yogurt station.
The massive basement vault now houses a large assortment of vitamins and protein powders. Antique medicine bottles from Walgreens’ archives are displayed on a wall of century-old safe deposit boxes. The lower level is also the location of the pharmacy.
Leopardo served as the general contractor, working hand-in-hand with Camburas & Theodore Architects. The complex historic renovation was successfully completed with a fast-paced construction schedule in order for the store to open by Thanksgiving.
