The Ludlow
Brand Creation, Brand Management, Graphic Design, Web Design
Agency/In-House
Cross Street
Website Link
Contributors
Olivia Roberts, Naming & Brand Voice
Karla Zamudio, Signage Design
Cross Street was tasked with crafting a compelling brand and marketing materials for a vintage industrial building undergoing a complete rehabilitation into a luxury apartment community. Situated in Chicago’s West Lincoln Park neighborhood, this 129-unit property offers a boutique living experience that blends historic charm with modern elegance.
Our work on The Ludlow received a Commended Award from the World Brand Design society.
Part One: The Brand
Our goal was to develop a brand that would not only reflect the building’s architectural character but also resonate with its target demographic—urban professionals seeking a unique and elevated home. The brand needed to capture the essence of the building’s transformation, ensuring it stood out in a competitive market while creating a consistent brand experience at all of the residents' touch-points.
The Ludlow Typograph being manufactured in the 1910s.
The Ludlow building today turned into elevated apartments.
The Name
Our creative team curated options for the community's name. The brand leans into the building's character and history, so it made perfect sense to make our number one choice the namesake of the building's first owner: Washington Ludlow. The name also evokes a sense of classic refinement that would resonate with the target residents. While we presented several options, the client agreed; The Ludlow was a perfect fit.
Moodboard
Logo System
The Ludlow icon, reminiscent of 1920s Deco design, is a composition of geometric shapes created by the surrounding streets and the 5 buildings that comprise The Ludlow. The result is a distinctive and customized element that can be combined with the wordmark or used decoratively.
Part Two: Application
Our team created promotional signage and tour hand-outs to aid our leasing efforts. We also prepared conceptual applications for experiential elements—notably the on-site public bar located on the roof of The Ludlow.
Part Three: Web Design
I designed and developed a custom website for The Ludlow using Wix.
Cross Street understands the importance of having a property website in addition to being listed on popular Internet Listing Service (ILS) platforms; especially for premium Class A properties. According to research by NMHC, 79% of surveyed renters said they visited a property’s website as part of their research.
Results
The final brand was met with enthusiasm from the property developers, who felt it captured the spirit and sophistication of the building. Leasing agents reported receiving unprompted compliments about the branding during tours—an early sign that the identity was resonating with potential residents. The project also received a Commended Award from the World Brand Design Society—an acknowledgment of its creative strength and clarity, even among larger-scale, global submissions.