GOOSE ISLAND — Preservationists are irked over the impending demolition of an old furniture factory near Goose Island.
The Seng Building, 1450 N. Dayton St., was rated "orange" under the 1995 Chicago Historic Resources Survey, granting it stature as a building of historic architectural interest, if not as a formal city landmark. Under that designation, any demolition permit usually would go through a 90-day review process.
Indeed, the building was on the Department of Planning and Development's Demolition Delay Hold List. But that list also shows that a demolition permit was applied for Aug. 4 and granted just six days later on Aug. 10 "pursuant to approved plans as part of a Planned Development."
Demolition has already begun on an adjoining building just to the north on Dayton, with the Seng Building next.
Ward Miller, executive director of Preservation Chicago, bemoaned how the permit had not been subjected to the typical 90-day review.
"The historic industrial Clybourn Corridor continues to lose its more of its vintage buildings and its character," Miller wrote in a Preservation Chicago newsletter released late last week.
"We're saddened that we never had the chance to really explore the history of this building," Miller said. "Orange-rated buildings are supposed to have a 90-day hold for this reason. Expediting the demolition of historic buildings really defeats the purpose of having the Chicago Historic Resources Survey."
According to Miller, the building served as base of operations for the Seng Company, a furniture manufacturer, and was built in 1910 as an example of Prairie School industrial design.
Miller questioned the timing of the approval: the permit was applied for the day after the last meeting of the Commission on Chicago Landmarks and approved, and demolition began before the next meeting, set for Thursday at City Hall.
The Department of Planning and Development can expedite the 90-day permit process if it finds that a building is dangerous. Last year, a demolition permit for the former Piper's Alley entrance at 1610 N. Wells St. was applied for in October and approved the next month when the department ruled the building was "fire-damaged and structurally unstable." Demolition began in April.
But the Seng Building appeared sound from the outside this week, even as demolition began on its adjoining building.
Department of Planning and Development spokesman Peter Strazzabosco pointed out Wednesday that the review process allows for "up to 90 days" to consider the circumstances.
"In early 2015, department staff determined 1450 N. Dayton does not meet landmark criteria and no new information was presented to change that determination while staff worked with the developer that spring and summer on a Planned Development designation for the site," Strazzabosco said. "Given the department’s support of the project and its approval by the Plan Commission and City Council in September 2015, the hold was released."
Two years ago, the city approved plans for a development on the site, a joint venture of NewCity's Structured Development and Big Deahl Productions. The new multi-story building will have just under 100,000 square feet of retail space and just over 100,000 square feet of office space and will span the block. It's being marketed as Big Deahl at Kingsbury and Blackhawk.
