Two demolition permits were issued by the City of Chicago to allow BandWith Chicago to remove remnants of the former Loyal Casket Company from their new location. Assigned as 134 South California Avenue and issued on May 22, the permits address a metal building and a loading dock at the south end of the property, which extends from Wilcox Street south to Adams Street. Alpine Demolition Services is named as the contractor, at a reported combined cost of $32,000. The two demolitions will pave the way for BandWith’s outdoor gathering space and parking lot.
Within hours of receiving the demo permits, most of the demolition was complete. Photo provided by BandWith
Site context of 134 South California Avenue, via Google Maps
Birds-eye view of the former Loyal Casket Company. Photo provided by BandWith
BandWith provides arts instruction and mentorship for youth ages 5 to 21. Renovations for their new 25,000-square-foot performing arts center have been underway since a groundbreaking ceremony back in October, with work on track to be complete in late September or early October, according to founder and executive director Anna Palomino. An official ribbon-cutting ceremony would then be held about one month later.
Rendering of the new BandWith Chicago facility by Lamar Johnson Collaborative
Rendering of the new BandWith Chicago facility by Lamar Johnson Collaborative
Rendering of the new BandWith Chicago facility by Lamar Johnson Collaborative
BandWith Chicago’s East Garfield Park location is well situated for students, performers, and instructors to reach using public transit. Within a two-block walk of California Avenue and Wilcox Street are stops for CTA Route 20, 94, and 126 buses. The California Green Line elevated platform is about five blocks north, and the Route 94 bus can be used to ride to and from the train.
Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail
Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates
Like YIMBY on Facebook
Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews
Would have loved getting the Loyal Casket Company sign.
Three cheers for adaptive reuse!
I wish more of Chicago’s industrial buildings could be incorporated into new builds. Fulton was prime for the frenkenstiens.
Three more cheers for adaptive reuse, especially given the building’s morbid (but essential) past “life.”
Metamorphosis at its finest!