Little remains of the W. C. Reebie & Brother storage building in Uptown

Posted on November 25, 2024 by danieldschell

Demolition of the W. C. Reebie & Brother storage building in Uptown, Chicago Nov 20, 2024.

Demolition of the former W. C. Reebie & Brother storage building has left little remaining of the Uptown structure, save for the rearmost shell of the five stories that stood on the site for 100+ years. The George Kingsley-designed building at 5035 North Broadway was purchased in 2018 by TimeLine Theatre; they’ll soon begin turning the property into their new home, once demo contractor Milburn Demolition has wrapped up work.

The first iteration of the new theatre would have saved the building’s façade, but TimeLine deemed that plan unfeasible due to a number of factors, including further evaluation of the structural integrity of the existing edifice. Architecture firm HGA then drew up new designs to completely redo the front portions of the building for performance spaces, while integrating the rear levels for office use.

TimeLine Theatre’s new venue is set to include a range of features aimed at enhancing both visitor and artist experiences. Plans highlight a lobby café and bar alongside a 250-seat black box theatre designed for flexibility and transformation. The space will also house exhibit galleries to complement TimeLine’s immersive and interactive lobby experiences. Behind the scenes, the facility will offer dedicated areas for collaboration, including a rehearsal room, production and design studios, and staff offices. Additionally, their Living History program will have its own dedicated space, which will also serve as a resource for community meetings and events.

TimeLine has raised nearly $40 million toward toward the new facility. They expect to begin putting on shows here early in 2026.

W. C. Reebie & Brother storage building demolition — The W. C. Reebie & Brother storage building, pre-demolition.

So. Much. Sand. as demolition turns to excavation at 3036 North Sheffield

Posted on October 29, 2024 by danieldschell

Tons of sand to remove at the 3036 North Sheffield construction site.

It never ceases to amaze me how much sand was left behind when Chicago decided to move the shore of Lake Michigan eastward. Turns out, it’s easier to build on sand than on water. I still don’t know exactly how far west the lake used to reach (Ashland Avenue-ish, I’ve heard), but venture past a Lake View construction site and you’ll get an idea.

Such is the case at 3036 North Sheffield. Two multi-unit residences have just been demolished to make room for a new five-unit condominium development here. On October 10, both buildings still stood. Now, demolition contractor Land Enterprises has knocked them down, hauled off the rubble, and begun digging into the never-ending sand pit that will be the construction site. Think of ii like a sand box, without the fun. Or a sandlot, without the baseball and gigantic drooling dog.

The new project, a three-story building with a basement and a rooftop deck, will include a detached five-car garage at the rear of the property. Interestingly, the home that used to occupy the north half of the construction site, 3038 North Sheffield, was at the back of the lot, as if it was a coach house. But according to the demo team, there is no sign of any foundation or other remnants of a “main” residence at the front of the lot. It appears the driveway in front of this house had always been there.

And you know, I could have been wrong earlier. Maybe the dude operating the excavator *is* having fun in that sand box. The guy with the shovel? Maybe not.

3034 North Sheffield, photographed October 10, permitted for demolition on October 9, 2024

Excavation work for residential development at 3036 North Sheffield Avenue in Lake View, Chicago — 3038 North Sheffield, photographed October 10, permitted for demolition on October 17, 2024

Teardown Update: The Chicago Tribune Freedom Center

Posted on October 27, 2024 by danieldschell

Demolition of the Chicago Tribune Freedom Center is ongoing at Chicago Avenue and Halsted Street along the North Branch of the Chicago River. Brandenburg Industrial Service continues carving a cavernous chasm toward the building’s northwest corner, but now they’ll also tearing into the south end of the facility as well.

Here, have a whole mess o’ photos, taken October 26, 2024:

Enjoying the photos? Metra and CTA rides (and Amtrak trains to Milwaukee), Zipcars, Divvy Bikes, camera lenses, domain fees, snacks & energy drinks, and comfortable walking shoes add up. You can help offset expenses by making a greatly-appreciated donation to Building Up Chicago.

Demolition of the former United Christian Church in Lincoln Park will clear space for The Base

Posted on October 21, 2024 by danieldschell

Demolition of the former United Christian Church is ongoing.

It’s all about The Base, ’bout The Base, no rubble, on the corner of Diversey and Seminary in Lincoln Park. That’s where the former United Christian Church is being razed for a new residential development called “The Base” from Contemporary Concepts. And, obviously, there’s lots of rubble.

The five-story building, designed by Studio Dwell, will contain 24 apartments with a roof deck atop them. There will be one off-street parking space, with access to the Diversey Brow/Purple line elevated platform just three blocks to the east.

A demolition for the church, at 2761 North Seminary, was issued on September 25, with Brophy Excavation handled demo work. The new construction permit, issued to 2763 North Seminary, was issued on September 4, with developer Contemporary Concepts also fulfilling general contractor duties for their own project.

The following gallery shows demolition progress as of October 20, with a few earlier images of demo work and some of the church before razing began:

Rainbows and rubble at the Chicago Tribune Freedom Center

Posted on September 20, 2024 by danieldschell

Demolition of the former Chicago Tribune Freedom Center continues on the West Side.

I wasn’t going to post more Chicago Tribune Freedom Center demolition photos this soon, since I just published a bunch of them last week, but there were rainbows…

The west side of the building is history. These were taken late in the afternoon on 09/18/2024:

720 North Wells is now gone

Posted on August 25, 2024 by danieldschell

The former 720 North Wells in River North.

Unless you count the rubble, 720 North Wells has now been completely demolished. The four-story River North stalwart stood since the 1870s. many say it should have been afforded preservation as an historic structure, but it “slipped through the cracks” according to the Chicago Tribune.

Photograph everything. Just like our pets, grandparents, and perfectly-cooked steaks, nothing is here forever. Preserve their memories, and photograph everything. We all have cameras in our pockets. They do much more than just make phone calls. Use them.

Photos of the rubble, taken August 22, 2024:

Photos of the demolition process, in no particular order:

The first demolition permit for Bally’s Casino has been dealt, at 700 West Erie

Posted on August 13, 2024 by danieldschell

Brandenburg tears into the former U-Haul facility at 700 West Erie for the Bally’s Casino development.

It isn’t likely I’ll make any casino jokes today, but I wouldn’t roulette out. You can bet I’ve got photos to show that demolition has begun at 700 West Erie in West Town, though. The City of Chicago issued a demolition permit for the single-story metal shed (a looooong shed, but it looks like a shed) that was most recently home to a U-Haul dealer on August 2. It didn’t take long to get started. This is the first demolition permit issued in preparation for the sprawling Bally’s Casino development where the Chicago River meets Chicago Avenue and Hasted Street.

The big permit, of course, will be for the Tribune Freedom center on the northeast corner of this property, where interior demo has already begun after the Chicago Tribune printed its final edition there in May. That will be a BIG demo to watch. So many bricks. And don’t even get me started on the construction we’re going to get to watch here soon. And across Chicago Avenue from this. And across the Chicago River from that. Stock up on snacks.

For now, Brandenburg Industrial Service Company is tearing down the the U-Haul building. Here’s a look. The first photos were taken August 8, after the permit had been issued, but before demolition work had begun. The rest were taken August 13.

Before demolition began, August 8, 2024.

Lake View Lutheran Church demolition begins, signaling the start of Lakeview Landing

Posted on June 12, 2024 by danieldschell

Demolition begins at Lake View Lutheran Church to make way for 37 affordable apartments.

A demolition permit was issued by the City of Chicago on May 31 for Lake View Lutheran Church at 835 West Addison Street in Lake View. And now demo work has begun. Demolition contractor Quality Excavation is on site as we speak, tearing the church down from the south end forward. Once the rubble has cleared, destruction will turn to creation as Lakeview Landing construction begins.

Rendering of Lakeview Landing from Weese Langley Weese Architects

New building permit, via Chicago Data Portal

Lakeview Landing will be a six-story, 37-unit affordable apartment building designed by Weese Langley Weese Architects. The ground floor will include a meeting room for the church, as well as 12 indoor sparking spaces. All 37 apartments will be one-bedroom, 575-square-foot rental units.

Powers and Sons Construction of Gary, Indiana, is already on site overseeing the demo work, itching to get started on the new build. A New Construction permit was issued back on December 12 of last year, so they’ve been waiting a bit.

Demolitions near completion at 1960, 1962 North Fremont in Lincoln Park

Video

Demolition of 1962 North Fremont Street in Lincoln Park

The demolitions of two residential buildings in Lincoln Park, at 1960 and 1962 North Fremont Street, are all but complete. Both buildings were permitted for destruction by the City of Chicago on April 24, 2024.

1960 and 1962 North Fremont, fenced off for demolition.

A visit here the day after the permits were issued saw demo fencing already surrounding the two properties. I returned Wednesday the 15th to find 1960 completely gone, and 1962 torn open from the rear, with little remaining to be demolished toward the front of the house.

Demolition work moving toward the front of 1962 North Fremont.

Quality Excavation is doing the dirty work, while Power Construction’s Luxury Residence Group is the overall general contractor for the new building (mansion?) to come. Dennis Rodkin at Crain’s Chicago addressed these properties last year; whether the plan is the same, I can’t say. No new permit has been issued for these lots yet.

**Profile view of demolition, 1962 North Fremont**

1960 North Fremont before demolition began, April 25, 2024.

Hits to Chicago Water Tanks keep coming, as the Grim Reaper visits 2221 South Michigan Avenue

Posted on May 16, 2024 by danieldschell

A leaner, but still a beauty. The Chicago Water Tank at 2221 S Michigan Ave will be demolished.

Yesterday, the day we went to 3625 North Halsted in Lake View to find its Chicago Water Tank already taken down, the City of Chicago permitted another tank demolition, this one at 2221 South Michigan Avenue in Near South Side.

Master Guys Demolition, admittedly one of the best names if you’re going to tear stuff apart, is the demo contractor. The building itself at 2221 South Michigan, home of Windy City Furniture, will remain.

Building Up Chicago

An Eye on Chicago Construction.

Tag Archives: Demolition