Doorperson of the Month - Annette Wordlaw, 680 North Lake Shore Drive

For Annette Wordlaw, serving as a doorperson at 680 North is the gift that keeps on giving. It’s not every doorperson who meets her husband on the job. The happy couple even held their wedding reception in a 12th floor ballroom at 680 North.  

Annette started at 680 North seven years ago as a security person and quickly transitioned into the treasured doorperson that she is today. Not one resident walks past her desk whose name she does not know. “I absolutely love my residents. A lot of residents attended our wedding reception, and I’ve watched many kids grow into great adults since I started.” 

680 North spans the entire city block between Huron, Erie, McClurg Court and Lake Shore Drive. It was built in 1924 and served as The American Furniture Mart until 1969, when it was renovated to become a multiuse building, complete with 415 condominium residences. It was once home to an airship mooring below the blue cupola atop the building and was the tallest, largest building in the world at the time. 

680 North was home to a classic jazz club, Goldstar Sardine Bar, and even housed a grocery store. “Residents miss the businesses that closed like Trader Joe’s and Walgreens, but much of the building is being repurposed into medical offices. Many residents like to eat at Eggs, Inc.”

Annette shows off a computer system that specifically helps organize the abundance of resident packages. She handles the packages themselves, as well as the needs of both residents and visitors. “I am good at keeping residents happy, and people in general.”

Recently, the family suffered the tragic loss of Cook County Sheriff’s Deputy, 31 year-old Ralph Wordlaw, after a shooting incident during an attempted robbery in Woodlawn. “Ralph,” as the family called him, was killed while off duty. He was the son of a Chicago Police officer.    

“We will honor his memory every day, as many others honored his memory, with over 500 in attendance at his funeral. The perpetrator was caught and is in jail. It’s been a really difficult time for the family and we are keeping in close touch.” 

Annette is Chicago-born and bred and resides in Pocket Town with her husband, James. They are “blessed” with 5 kids and 7 grandchildren. After work, she makes the rounds to speak with all of them, whether it’s with phone calls or FaceTimes with the family. 

Annette and James travel to Texas often to visit family and recently visited Alaska, which was “amazingly beautiful.”  When they’re in town, some of their shifts overlap. “If we are not working at the same time, James is a good cook, having grown up in Mississippi, and he has dinner ready when I get home.”

Annette is highly adored by everyone and the residents of 680 North  are lucky to have her as their doorperson. 

To nominate your favorite doorperson, Email info@chicagostarmedia.com with their name and why they should be doorperson of the month. Winners will receive a $25 gift card to Mariano’s.