This week, YIMBY stopped by the former Pennsylvania Railroad terminal building at Fulton Market District’s 375 N Morgan Street, where a partial demolition has taken place. This wrecking work is the first step in the conversion of the edifice into a new Guinness Brewery, co-developed by Guinness and Fred Latsko. The adaptive re-use of the original structure will house a 10-barrel brewery and taproom, and will accommodate an Irish-themed restaurant component with locally sourced chefs.
375 N Morgan Street. Photo by Jack Crawford
375 N Morgan Street. Photo by Jack Crawford
375 N Morgan Street. Photo by Jack Crawford
Interior rendering of 375 N Morgan Street by Guinness
Design for the renovation features an industrial chic aesthetic both inside and out. The 15,000-square-foot interior incorporates ornately tiled flooring, exposed brick walls and roof beams, a contemporary glass chandelier, a curtain wall looking into the barrel room, as well as additional wooden and dark metal accents throughout. The facade, meanwhile will comprise of dark brown brick, charcoal-painted wood siding, large warehouse-inspired windows, and new landscaping and terrace space.
375 N Morgan Street. Photo by Jack Crawford
375 N Morgan Street. Photo by Jack Crawford
The scope of this preparatory work has included the removal of non-load bearing walls throughout and the demolition of the building’s westernmost segment. Given the long history of the former terminal being used as a canvas for street art and murals, much of this art has been power-washed from the outer walls, with notable exceptions like Solomon Souza’s colorful mural on the eastern face. However, it is not immediately clear if Souza’s mural or the other remaining art will be preserved, as renderings do not depict the mural along this east-facing side.
375 N Morgan Street. Photo by Jack Crawford
375 N Morgan Street. Photo by Jack Crawford
Rendering of 375 N Morgan Street by Guinness
While there will be no on-site parking, patrons will find several public transit options in close proximity. Nearby bus service includes stops for Route 65 at the intersection of Grand & Morgan via a five-minute walk northwest. A similar distance from the property, the closest Route 8 service can be found at Halsted & Hubbard via a five-minute walk northeast. Just one block north of Halsted & Hubbard is the six-corner intersection of Milwaukee, Grand, & Halsted, with bus service for Route 56. This intersection is also serviced by the CTA L Blue Line, with subway access via Grand station located underneath. Those looking to board the CTA L Green or Pink Lines will find Morgan station via a seven-minute walk southwest.
375 N Morgan Street. Photo by Jack Crawford
375 N Morgan Street. Photo by Jack Crawford
Word has also surfaced that the development site will come with a 33-story tower just to the west, though the design and additional details on this portion remain unknown. In the meantime, Aberdeen Construction Company will serve as the general contractor for the conversion work, with the brewery expected to open in the first quarter of next year.
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Awful that the art is being covered up with a black wall. Typical Chicago. Why does this city hate preservation so much?
Why do people think we have to save every little thing that ever happened? You all should have bought the building.
I’m all in favor of this repurposing of the old RR building. BUT, a lack of parking is going to be a real deterrent to those who want to visit. They need to rethink that part of the design.
Because drinking and driving go really well together!?
Because not everyone lives just a two minute walk from public transportation. I live IN Chicago, not the suburbs, and an Uber or cab would cost a small fortune. I’m not taking a bus from my neighborhood all the way to this location and the L is not anywhere nearby either. Surprisingly enough, there ARE people that don’t need to drink to oblivion to go out and enjoy their evening. There are also such things as designated drivers. What a concept!
It’s less than half a mile from the Grand Blue line stop.
Development is well served by transit access and is in a pretty dense (or soon to be very dense) area so I wouldn’t worry about ‘parking design’ – all in all I’d say this is an OK development but kind of generic besides the re-use aspect of it.
I’m not sure many people who can afford to visit this place will want to rub shoulders with the vagrants on the CTA.
Shucks, didn’t realize I should consider myself a “vagrant”