Preservation Chicago has released its 2024 “Chicago 7 Most Endangered” list, highlighting historic Chicago buildings at risk of demolition. Preservation Chicago releases the annual list as a means of generating public investment to save historic buildings from destruction.
Topping Preservation Chicago’s 2024 list for the third year are the Century and Consumers buildings in downtown Chicago. Built between 193 and 1915 respectively, the buildings are some of the last remaining examples of the Chicago School of Architecture.
For years, the two buildings were home to small businesses, showrooms, and attorneys' offices. According to Preservation Chicago, in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks, the Federal Government exercised eminent domain to gain control of the buildings, citing security risks due to their proximity to nearby Federal Plaza. The buildings have sat vacant ever since.
Since being taken over by the government, the buildings have deteriorated significantly. In February 2022, Congress approved $52 million in taxpayer funding to demolish the structures. Preservation Chicago has reportedly met with the General Services Administration (GSA) to discuss alternatives to demolition, including adaptive reuse of the buildings.
“If demolished as planned by the GSA, not only will Chicago lose two important early Chicago School skyscrapers by two of its most important architecture firms, it will also create a huge void and open site which will adversely impact and vacate the energy from one of downtown Chicago’s most vibrant thoroughfares and intersections”, said Preservation Chicago.
“Chicago does not need another vacant lot or windswept plaza, nor does it need the shame of losing more of its early historic skyscrapers.”
In addition to the Century and Consumers buildings, the Chicago Vocational School building and the former Schulze Baking Company headquarters made the Most Endangered list. To view the full list of Chicago’s most endangered buildings, visit Preservation Chicago’s official site.
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