A few months ago, the building located on the SW corner of Wabash and Van Buren (Tower 12 junction on the El) was torn down. It is now just a dirt lot with a small, existing surface lot to the south.

Was the building condemned? Is anything planned for the site? I can find no information.

I hope so.

Personally, I think demolition should only be allowed once a new project for the site is announced with funding in place. Otherwise, there is not a single reason I can think of that justifies demolishing a property..

Otherwise, there is not a single reason I can think of that justifies demolishing a property..

That is why I wonder if the city condemned it and demanded it be torn down ASAP.

I've wondered this myself... I'd love some information.

If this is the lot im thinking about, then the property is owned by De Paul University, and will temporarily use the land as a surface lot, until the university raises the money to build classroom space on there. I dont know anything else about the project though.

If this is the lot im thinking about, then the property is owned by De Paul University, and will temporarily use the land as a surface lot, until the university raises the money to build classroom space on there. I dont know anything else about the project though.

I wonder what the delay is in putting in the lot (I assume they will pave it). It is just a dirt field right now and has been that way for months. The only time I saw any activity on it was when a mobile crane rolled in to lift some new HVAC units onto the building next door. You can still make out the tire tracks!

Perhaps some investigation at DePaul is in order...

Like any other university, projects take a while to find the funding.

As was suspected earlier in this thread, DePaul does in fact own the property now and it will accomodate a surface level parking lot until they figure out what the long term use is going to be. . .

Well, they finally paved it over. The area occupied by the demolished building as well as the small surface lot to the south have been completely re-paved. There are two concrete pedistals in the center of the lot with mounting bolts for overhead lighting. Looks like the lot will open within the next couple weeks.

I'm sure it will get developed, but as usual downtown Chicago values parking more than its architectural heritage

I'm sure it will get developed, but as usual downtown Chicago values parking more than its architectural heritage

Apparently parking isn't valued as much as it appears. As of today I have yet to see any cars ever parked in the lot. Hell, the thing wasn't even plowed after the last big snowstorm. No lights on the concrete pedestals yet either...

That was old St Mary's church. It was a "new" structure that replaced a Loop church in the 1960s. The new structure is located at 1500 S Michigan.

The church was there 1971 to 2002, but the structure wasn't torn down until recently. I am sure the property was "transferred" to De Paul by the Catholic ArchD. Go to near the bottom to see photos of that building.

http://www.oldstmarys.com/Parish_History.htm

:cheers: