Two demolition permits for north and south portions of 917 North Franklin Street on the Near North Side have been all but carried out. The north half of that address, which stood on the corner of Franklin and Walton Streets, had been slated for renovation as part of the North Union development, but that plan has changed.
The north portion before demolition began. Photo by Daniel Schell
….and after. Photo by Daniel Schell
The corner demolition was first spotted from the Brown Line. Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
via the Chicago Data Portal
North 917 was still intact when YIMBY went to the site two weeks ago, with demolition work well underway on South 917. But a follow-up visit last week showed the work continuing on the south building, while the north portion had been entirely reduced to rubble. Both portions were surrounded by demo fencing, but with plans showing the adaptive re-use of the northern half, it was incorrectly surmised that it was only cosmetic for that portion. Especially considering a separate demolition permit was issued for each half, that was a lapse in judgement and/or wishful thinking.
Two-story brick building depicted rear lower left is now demolished. Rendering by Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture
Here are the plans for the north building, addressed as 919 North Franklin Street, as they appeared in the presentation before the Chicago Plan Commission in May 2021:
PowerPoint presentation before the Chicago Plan Commission, May 20, 2021
PowerPoint presentation before the Chicago Plan Commission, May 20, 2021
PowerPoint presentation before the Chicago Plan Commission, May 20, 2021
As for what is left of the south building, which began demolition first:
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Good seats still available
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
via the Chicago Data Portal
no word yet on how the now-vacant corner of Franklin and Walton will be utilized.
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
I hope they go with what was proposed in 2021.
Preservation of that smaller building’s facade would have been a nice touch, but not crucial.
Im confused how could they go against the plan that was approved by the city?
Seems more than a bit skeevy to demolish a building that was pitched to be preserved, and keeping the vintage details of the old facade would have kept a nice sliver of character on this block. Somewhere in the murkiness of permitting paperwork there must be a clue to what will eventually be built on this now-you-see-it-now-you-don’t parcel.
A supertall would be nice !
I love the design for 919 North Franklin, how the frame looks outward as it rises. Gives the project a nice depth.