<p>A Wacker Place building that once served as a hub for manufacturing women’s hats then the offices for Esquire magazine is close to taking on its next life as apartments.</p><p>Chicago-based Mavrek Development and Cross Street, along with capital partner ACRES Commercial Realty, have started pre-leasing for Wacker Place at 65 E. Wacker Place. The first residents will move into the 252-unit building in August.</p><p>The building has had a colorful history over its nearly 100 years in Chicago — commonly recognized as the Millinery Mart Building.