The Latest Breaking News from Preservation Chicago

Demolition of Thompson Center facade, atrium for Google makeover approved by city

The $6 million demolition isn’t a complete surprise, but it possibly means the end of the building’s current blue, salmon and white color scheme, one of its signature features.

Chicago Sun-Times · Oct 17, 2023

Landmarks commission has a chance to help save historic West Side mansion

The landmarks commission’s vote could set the stage for preserving a handsome late 19th Century building in a neighborhood that has lost too many vintage structures over the past 50 years.

Chicago Sun-Times · Aug 1, 2023

Birthplace of house music one step away from landmark status

From 1977 through the mid-1980s, the resident DJ at the Warehouse was Frankie Knuckles, a record producer and remix artist hailed as the “Godfather of House Music.”

Chicago Sun-Times · Jun 20, 2023

Altgeld Gardens Memorial Wall’s place in Chicago history is clear, its future less so

“The wall is kind of like a historic monument for everybody who used to live or still lives in Altgeld Gardens,” a former resident says. But it’s in danger of being demolished.

Chicago Sun-Times · Jan 31, 2023

Chicago Landmarks Commission to consider landmark status for Promontory Point

Making Promontory Point a city landmark would effectively protect the lakefront site from development or demolition.

Chicago Sun-Times · Jan 10, 2023

Durbin provision in Defense Bill bolsters Lake Michigan shoreline, ensures local input on Promontory Point

The bill requires the Army Corps of Engineers to use a locally preferred plan to repair, restore historic Promontory Point, near 55th Street and DuSable Lake Shore Drive.

Chicago Sun-Times · Dec 16, 2022

Statue could be removed soon from shuttered Pilsen church

A permit has been issued to remove a beloved statue from St. Adalbert Catholic Church. Preservationists and former parishioners fear the building’s fate is sealed. “Once the statue comes out, the wrecking ball comes in,” said Ward Miller, president of Preservation Chicago.

Chicago Sun-Times · Nov 11, 2022

Are the endangered Century and Consumer buildings headed toward landmark status?

Let’s hope so. It would be a better fate than the federal government’s plan to demolish the structures for a security plaza.

Chicago Sun-Times · Jul 23, 2022

City landmarks panel backs review of State Street buildings that feds say are security risk

The members act after getting a petition from more than 22,000 people who voiced support for saving the early 20th century structures, setting up a potential show down with the federal government over security concerns for the nearby Dirksen Federal Courthouse.

Chicago Sun-Times · Jul 7, 2022

Conservationists hopeful historic limestone wall at Promontory Point will be preserved

The Promontory Point Conservancy announced last week that U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly earmarked $550,000 of federal funding to authorize a third-party engineering study of the Point’s limestone revetment.

Chicago Sun-Times · May 30, 2022