Q Investment Partners (QIP), a Singapore-headquartered private equity real estate firm specializing in the global living sector, with expertise in multifamily housing, along with project partner and co-developer Melrose Ascension Capital (MAC), a private equity real estate development and investment firm based in Chicago, joined neighbors and other project stakeholders on May 15 to celebrate the grand opening of Straits Row, a new 18-story rental tower combining traditional apartments with co-living units in Chicago’s South Loop.
Located at 633 S. LaSalle Street within the historic Printers Row neighborhood, the 132-unit hybrid building offers 358 private, fully furnished residential spaces within its traditional and co-living units. With only 266 new Class A rental units expected to deliver in downtown Chicago in 2025, according to appraisal and consulting firm Integra Realty Resources, Straits Row represents almost half of the city’s new inventory. The building welcomed its first residents in February.
QIP sponsored the development and collaborated with MAC as its Chicago-based, local partner to co-develop, reposition and revamp the original plan for the site, previously acquired from PMG and The Collective. Straits Row is their first project together and QIP’s flagship residential development in the United States. The project builds on the success of QIP’s Straits-branded student housing & co-living communities in the United Kingdom and advances the firm’s global real estate platform across key gateway cities.
“We’re proud to celebrate the grand opening of Straits Row alongside our collaborators, MAC and project partners. This is an important milestone that marks QIP’s continued expansion of our global residential living platform,” said James Coppack, head of development at QIP. “Since welcoming first move-ins in February, we’ve had strong, accelerating leasing activity, especially as young professionals, new college graduates and interns have begun committing to roles in downtown Chicago. Straits Row’s signature amenities – from its penthouse-level rooftop pool and entertaining areas to its co-working lounge and resort-grade fitness center – have been well-received by this group. They’re embracing the building’s vibrant atmosphere, social events and its access to downtown Chicago’s lifestyle and cultural attractions. We look forward to delivering an exceptional resident experience and continuing to contribute meaningfully to the city’s dynamic South Loop neighborhood.”
“Straits Row is well-situated for students, young professionals or anyone looking for affordable luxury options with a highly amenitized and elevated design living experience in one of Chicago’s best neighborhoods with historical character,” said Nick Melrose, founder and CEO of MAC. “The city center is home to more students than some of the Midwest’s largest college towns, including Champaign and Ann Arbor, and they, along with recent graduates and others wanting to live downtown, find the proximity Printer’s Row offers to schools, jobs and recreation very appealing.”
Straits Row provides a diverse range of rental options, from studios to four-bedroom layouts, including traditional and co-living arrangements. In co-living units, residents share a kitchen and living space while enjoying private bedrooms and bathrooms. All units are fully furnished, equipped with stainless steel appliances, ample cabinet storage, in-unit laundry, and keyless entry systems for both the unit and individual bedrooms in multi-bedroom layouts.
Straits Row offers residents access to 15,000 square feet of lifestyle-driven amenities and social spaces over two dedicated levels. The ground level Printers Room serves as a fully functional exclusive coworking lounge, offering private study rooms along with lounge seating, an outdoor patio and a coffee bar with cold brew on tap. On the penthouse level, recreational amenities like a resident lounge, fitness and wellness center, and private dining area with a kitchen take advantage of 17th-floor views. On the same level, the resort-style pool deck and dining area offers a panoramic vista of the skyline. Throughout the building, the curated art program reminds residents they are in Printer’s Row with pieces that pay tribute to the area’s 19th-century history, including a newly unveiled mural by renowned Chicago artist Cody Hudson that brings the outdoor lounge to life. Additional conveniences include a 24/7 lobby attendant, secure package center and indoor bike storage with direct LaSalle Street access.
Situated near LaSalle and Harrison streets in Chicago’s dynamic South Loop, Straits Row offers easy access to CTA bus routes, L lines, and the Metra commuter rail. Nearby universities include Columbia College Chicago, Roosevelt University, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, DePaul University’s downtown campus, and the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). The building also provides convenient access to the Illinois Medical District and RUSH University Medical Center.
PeakMade Real Estate is the on-site property manager overseeing leasing and other building operations at Straits Row.
