Published
Thu, Apr 13, 2023, 16:15
- Campaigners have been fighting to prevent the building's demolition.
Campaigners are one step closer to saving the building once home to legendary Chicago club The Warehouse.
In a process that starts today, April 13th, the Commission on Chicago Landmarks has agreed to consider granting the building landmark status, which will protect it from demolition. The process is expected to last until June.
This development follows last month's grassroots campaign and petition, which was launched by architectural conservation group Preservation Chicago.
"We're so excited for this development and are optimistic it will ultimately result in The Warehouse becoming an official Chicago landmark," Preservation Chicago spokesperson Max Chavez told Resident Advisor.
As part of the process, the City of Chicago will make a series of presentations to the Commission on Chicago Landmarks. This will likely end in June when the commission votes on the matter and before Mayor Elect Brandon Johnson gives the official stamp of approval.
Public support is critical to the outcome, according to Chavez. "The more support there is from the public and other involved parties, the more we can convey to the City just how important The Warehouse is," he told RA.
The Frankie Knuckles Foundation has also been instrumental in the campaign so far. "We've been speaking with members of the civic community to garner support," the foundation's founder Frederick Dunson told RA. "We'll also be speaking at the hearing to voice our position on the significance and importance of 206 South Jefferson for house music culture globally."
He added: "Everyone here in Chicago is extremely hopeful that City will support this effort for landmark status and yes of course, that would include support from the incoming Mayor Johnson."
Located on 206 South Jefferson Street, The Warehouse was opened in 1977 by New Yorker Robert Williams, before closing in 1987. Its current owners are Nathan & Kamionski LLP, a controversial law firm that was paid $7.3 million by the City of Baltimore to defend police officers allegedly involved in the wrongful conviction of three Black men.
We'll report more on this story as it develops.