a history as old as Rockford itself
The history of Metropolitan Hall is intertwined with the history of Rockford. Built in 1856, this pre-Civil War building was the largest entertainment venue of its time and was host to a variety of speakers including Frederick Douglass and Herman Melville. After years of vacancy, Metropolitan Hall has been transformed into a mixed-use facility that includes eight residential lofts on the upper floors.
a place to entertain once again
The top floor lofts incorporate the fundamental elements of the former venue space: 20-foot ceilings, 13-foot triple-hung windows, and exposed trusses that span over 100 feet. Original wood floors and stamped tin ceiling panels are defining features of the space.
sitting atop three retail storefronts, Metropolitan Hall Lofts is an active contributor to downtown Rockford.
raw materials and historic elements take center stage
Studio GWA assisted the owner with the Federal and State Historic Tax Credit application processes to secure this critical financing tool. Our team balanced the needs of preservation and accessibility throughout the project. Our design retained critical features for maintaining the building’s historic status while incorporating modern requirements including a new elevator and interior circulation access points that serve multiple commercial and residential tenants.
