CHICAGO — The Loop's James R. Thompson Center, which Gov. Bruce Rauner is preparing to sell to a developer, is the most endangered building in Chicago, according to a new report.
Preservation Chicago unveiled its annual list of endangered Chicago buildings Wednesday. Previous lists have included the Finkl steel site in Lincoln Park — which is also slated for redevelopment — and neon signs across Chicago.
This year's list also includes the Lakeside Center at McCormick Place and where Chinatown once was Downtown.
But the Thompson Center, a glass dome at Clark and Randolph streets designed by Helmut Jahn, topped this year's list as Rauner prepares to sell the property to a developer.
"It was built for the public," said Ward Miller, Preservation Chicago's president.
Here's the 2016 endangered building list:
McCormick Place - Lakeside Center
The oldest section of McCormick Place, the gigantic Lakeside Center was built at 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive in 1969. According to Preservation Chicago, additions to McCormick place has left the building neglected. "This is one of Chicago’s great mid-century modern buildings - somewhat forgotten," according to the group.
LaSalle/Van Buren "L" Station Houses
Dating way back to 1897, the pair of station houses that tower at Van Buren and LaSalle are still used this day by commuters on the south end of the Loop.
Other old "L" stations have been revamped, demolished or are set to be replaced and Preservation Chicago hopes that this one stays in place.
The organization is calling on the city to protect the station house and its original features, feeling "that this would encourage sensitive attention and authentic restoration of lost features to this Chicago Landmark-looking to the future, which is so much an important symbol of our City."
Nelli Black and Martha Wilson Pavilions at Former Childen's Hospital
Built in the 1920s, the pavilions separate two landmarked districts. But now they're set to be demolished as a developer plans to build new apartments on the site of the former Children's Memorial Hospital, 700 W. Fullerton Parkway, in Lincoln Park.
Old Chinatown
Chinatown, now located near Sox Park, used to be clustered around Clark and Van Buren streets in the Loop. The six buildings at the corner are now the last remaining remnants of Chicago's rebirth after the Chicago Fire.
Home to saloons and other pillars of the city's one-time "underbelly" the area also was once called "Little Cheyenne," a nod to the Wild West.
Sears stores
Sears is now closing stores left and right, but there are many closed here that serve as reminders of the time the chain was "Where America Shops."
Preservation Chicago hopes many of the former stores built between 1927 and 1942 here will remain unscathed, given the landmarking of the original 14-story "Sears Tower" in North Lawndale.
Washington Park National Bank
Washington Park National Bank was once an anchor of the bustling corner of 63rd Street and Cottage Grove Avenue in Woodlawn, but has now sat vacant for years. Preservation Chicago is worried the 1924 building will fall into disrepair amid continued disinvestment in the area.
