The Pittsfield Building, a historic skyscraper nestled in the Loop, is attracting considerable attention and interest on social media as it prepares for a transformative renovation.
Tom Liravongsa, known as ‘Tom the Skyscraper Guy’ on TikTok, is at the helm of this major project, aiming to convert the deteriorating interior into modern, stylish apartments while preserving the building’s classic Gothic and Art Deco architecture.
Recently, one of Liravongsa’s TikTok videos gained an impressive 8 million views, wherein he utilized the building’s old-fashioned mail chute to discuss fire safety regulations that led to its ban.
Under the handle @theskyscraperguy, he also participated in a popular TikTok trend that highlights “random things” that make sense, which garnered nearly 5 million views across platforms, including Instagram, where he has amassed 320,000 followers.
In his video, Liravongsa showcased eclectic elements of the building, including a large Gothic-style lamp, a hidden room not present in the original blueprints, and a Prohibition-era speakeasy.
The renovation efforts are supported by a dedicated social media team of 15, helping to document the journey of transforming the 38-story Chicago landmark into a residential space.
Besides merely generating views, these videos serve a larger purpose: showcasing the property to potential renters, which has effectively established a waiting list for the upcoming apartment project.
Liravongsa indicated that this success is largely attributed to the social media presence, stating, “That’s all from social. You can pay for that stuff, but guess what, I’ve just saved how much? Tens of thousands, by not doing ads.”
Originally completed in 1927, the Pittsfield Building was once the tallest in Chicago.
According to a 2001 report from the Department of Planning and Development, the building was highly regarded for its luxurious materials and intricate Art Deco and Gothic Revival ornamentation.
Its exterior features gray terra cotta, polished black granite, and bronze detailing, while the interior boasts a five-story atrium complemented by a grand chandelier, hand-carved copper ceilings, and brass-plated elevator doors.
The building was commissioned by the estate of Marshall Fields and was primarily utilized as an office space for jewelers, as well as dental and medical professionals, with several floors dedicated to retail.
However, the Pittsfield Building has a tumultuous history.
While much of its architectural design has remained unchanged since its inception nearly a century ago, the building has changed ownership numerous times and endured legal disputes and foreclosures that resulted in prolonged neglect.
The Morgan Reed Group, a Florida-based investment organization, acquired the skyscraper in 2000, later selling a portion to Chicago’s Marc Realty, which converted floors 13 to 21 into the Pittsfield Apartments, housing 228 units.
In 2017, Morgan Reed filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, leaving its ownership share of the skyscraper vulnerable.
This led to the acquisition of the building by Chinese-Canadian businessman Xia Hua “Edward” Gong during a bankruptcy auction.
However, Gong faced legal trouble in Canada after being charged with criminal securities fraud, which was settled in the previous year.
Under Gong’s ownership, the building fell into disrepair and was subsequently placed into temporary receivership.
Unpaid maintenance and repair bills prompted the appointed receiver to file a foreclosure lawsuit in 2022, as reported by Crain’s Chicago Business.
In 2023, Liravongsa acquired Gong’s portion of the building through a foreclosure sale.
Gong attempted to sue regarding the foreclosure, alleging fraud on the receiver’s part, but dropped the case in 2023, according to The Real Deal.
Liravongsa opted not to delve into the legal disputes, emphasizing that the building is under new management.
“The allure of rehabbing stuff like this is fascinating to me because they have to do the work differently, not like a normal fix and flip as people would imagine,” he explained.
He noted that this project requires a unique craftsmanship and innovation that he finds rewarding.
Splitting his time between Chicago and Michigan, Liravongsa is the managing director of Grand Rapids-based investment firm L’Cre Global.
Although he has rehabilitated mixed-use residential buildings for five years, the Pittsfield Building signifies his first venture into a renovation fueled by social media.
Liravongsa expressed his desire to transform the office property into a vibrant residential space, planning for 214 apartments along with retail spaces and amenities, though he has yet to finalize specifics about the project, including the total number of units.
He anticipates starting construction within the next year and is actively seeking investors for the project, which he estimates could require “hundreds of millions” due to the extensive restoration work needed.
The city has been cooperative and expedient in addressing the building’s deteriorating terra cotta features, which have been crumbling for years.
In 2020, scaffolding was erected to protect pedestrians from falling debris.
“The city knows quite a bit about the building, and they know it’s in disrepair.
And we’ve been actively trying to get it fixed and go through [building code] violations.
… They’re being very helpful because they know that this building’s been sitting here forever, and they need to do something,” Liravongsa stated.
Liravongsa, who dons a white hard hat in his videos, embraces his identity as a skyscraper owner.
In one video, he describes his project as an “impulsive” purchase.
His TikTok platform features a variety of content, including titles like ‘Day in the life of a skyscraper owner,’ ‘What is this thing from 1927?’ and ‘How to buy a skyscraper.’
Liravongsa is known among friends for making bold decisions and taking risks, but emphasizes that he is supported by a capable team throughout this ambitious endeavor.
“I’m around so many qualified people that it doesn’t seem so daunting,” he remarked.
He expressed the excitement of providing viewers with “backstage access” to the renovation process.
“Most skyscraper owners typically don’t look like me, and they don’t act like me in a lot of ways.
And they definitely won’t go on socials,” Liravongsa noted.
Embarking on this journey, he shared that he lacked a mentor in the industry, requiring him to learn through experience.
Through his TikTok presence, he aspires to share the knowledge he has gained, believing it will resonate with a wide audience.
Liravongsa is confident that his branding as ‘the skyscraper guy’ will facilitate future deals, reaching a vast audience of tens of millions.
He believes, “If I own this lane — skyscraper guy — … it will make it easier to bring attention to the projects that need attention.”
Ultimately, he envisions the Pittsfield Building evolving into a living landmark, a space where the community can engage, explore, and experience its historical significance.
image source from：https://chicago.suntimes.com/real-estate/2025/05/30/chicago-landmark-pittsfield-building-viral-tiktok-guy-tom-skyscraper
