Each year, Preservation Chicago publishes a list of the city buildings that are at the highest risk of being lost to demolition or decay. According to DNA Info, the organization unveiled its list on the 178th anniversary of Chicago's incorporation as a city.
"These are irreplaceable buildings that define our neighborhoods," said Ward Miller, Executive Director of Preservation Chicago.
The buildings named on the list are:
- The South Side Masonic Temple: Located at 6400 S. Green Street, the Masonic temple was built in 1921. Throughout its years, it served as a popular destination for fraternal meetings and community events in Englewood. The building features Egyptian, Moorish, and Art Deco influences.
- The Agudas Achim North Shore Synagogue: "The last great Chicago synagogue" is located at 5029 N. Kenmore Avenue and was built in 1922. It boasts Romanesque Revival, Art Deco, and Spanish influences. It's currently listed for sale and has worried Preservation Chicago that it may be demolished by developers.
- Clarendon Park Community Center: Uptown's local community center was built in 1916 for beachgoers. It sits at 4501 N. Clarendon Street and has fallen victim to water filtration and other building code issues.
- A. Finkl & Sons: The Lincoln Park steel plant is up for a major redevelopment, although Preservation Chicago is concerned the renovations may not include the historic buildings that are already standing on the riverfront.
- Illinois Institute of Technology: The Main Building at 3300 S. Federal Street was built in 1893 with funds from Chicago meatpacking baron Philip Armour. While the higher education institution has restored many other buildings designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, this one has not and is being offered to developers.
- Pioneer Arcade: Once a 1920s bowling and billiards venue, the arcade at 1535 N. Pulaski Road has been empty since the mid-2000s. The building's facade is known as one of the city's best examples of 1920s Spanish colonial revival style and was designed by Jens Jensen. It's neighbor, the New Apollo Theater, also made Preservation Chicago's list.
- Neon signs: Located throughout the city, there are many old-school neon signs that bring back memories of how businesses approached advertising from the 1930s to the 1960s.
Englewood's South Side Masonic Temple
The Agudas Achim North Shore Synagogue on Kenmore Avenue
Clarendon Park Community Center in Uptown
Illinois Institute of Technology
Pioneer Arcade at 1535 N. Pulaski Road
Some of Chicago's neon signs
Related Stories
Reconstruction & Renovation | Sep 30, 2020
SOM reimagines former Cook County Hospital into mixed-use destination
The project is the first phase of a proposed $1 billion redevelopment plan for the area in Chicago.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 24, 2020
Texaco’s century-old headquarters is now a luxury apartment community
After sitting vacant for nearly three decades, the former home of Texaco, Inc. has been converted into a 17-story, 286-unit apartment building in the heart of downtown Houston.
Reconstruction & Renovation | Aug 21, 2020
Reconstruction could be COVID-19’s silver lining
Existing buildings are being adapted to the ‘new normal’ for health and wellness.
Reconstruction & Renovation | Aug 20, 2020
Former jail to be reimagined and integrated into Dallas’s Harold Simmons Park
Weiss/Manfredi was selected as the design architect for the project.
Reconstruction & Renovation | Jun 8, 2020
Spacesmith will design sustainable production facilities for Upriver Studios in New York
The project will be located in Saugerties in upstate New York.
Coronavirus | Apr 9, 2020
COVID-19 alert: Robins & Morton to convert Miami Beach Convention Center into a 450-bed field hospital
COVID-19 alert: Robins & Morton to convert Miami Beach Convention Center into a 450-bed field hospital
Reconstruction & Renovation | Mar 3, 2020
Not so strange bedfellows: hybrid buildings in New York combine unlikely tenants
“Found money” for owners looking to monetize their air spaces, says FXCollaborative, which has designed several of these buildings.
Reconstruction & Renovation | Jan 16, 2020
Snøhetta’s 550 Madison Garden gains approval from NYC Planning Commission
The project previously gained approval from Manhattan Community Board 5 in December.
Reconstruction & Renovation | Nov 6, 2019
The silent giant: Reconstruction sector makes big impact on firms
More than a quarter of AEC firms that participated in the 2019 Giants 300 survey earned at least half of their total 2018 revenue from the reconstruction sector.
Reconstruction & Renovation | Oct 7, 2019
Central Park’s Lasker Rink and Pool to undergo $150 million restoration project
The project will be the largest the Central Park Conservancy has ever undertaken.