Demolition work has begun at 1125 W Loyola Avenue in the Rogers Park neighborhood. That’s the address of Centennial Forum, on the campus of Loyola University Chicago. The two-story building served as event space for the school.
Centennial Forum, with the 19-story Mertz Hall (not being demolished) standing behind it. Photo by Daniel Schell
The connector between Centennial Forum (left) and Mertz Hall (right) is not being demolished. Photo by Daniel Schell
Centennial Forum, corner of Loyola Avenue & Sheridan Road. Photo by Daniel Schell
The City of Chicago issued a demolition permit for the structure on May 23. American Demolition is the general contractor for removal of the building. Demolition equipment rambled onto the site last week. Heavy machinery was lifted onto the roof and through a second-story window in order to begin demolishing the building from the inside out.
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
The demo permit, issued May 23, 2024. Via Chicago Data Portal
Once demolition is complete, according to The Loyola Phoenix, green space will temporarily take over the site until a new project begins construction. The University expects demo work to last into the fall. Plans for new development have not been made public.
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So let me get this straight. Loyola tears down a building on their campus in 2024 with immediate plans to replace it with green space. Loyola tearns down several buildings off campus on Loyola Avenue in the 1990s and still uses them today as a parking lot, a construction yard, and dumpster storage.
As a long time resident of RP, Loyola is a terrible neighbor but eventually their land grabs will push us out so hey, one day there will be no one left to complain. I wish the students took more interest in the impact their university is having on the community it is a part of.
Where are the dorm students going to eat?
I used to work there.
I wish I could see the plans for the building set to replace the one on Sheridan. The existing one is a tired, dated old thing, but WHAT IS GOING TO REPLACE IT?