City Council Approves Landmark Designation For The Warehouse

The Chicago City Council has approved the full landmark designation for The Warehouse at 204-208 S Jefferson Street in West Loop Gate. Located near the intersection with W Adams Street, the small building recently received its final landmark recommendation from the Commission on Chicago Landmarks earlier this month after a multi-week battle supported by locals. With its full landmark status granted, the structure is now protected from demolition and will eventually receive a plaque outside.

Site context map of The Warehouse via Google Maps

The most recent efforts to save The Warehouse began earlier this year when it was listed on this year’s most endangered building’s list from Preservation Chicago; this came after the building was put up for sale and marketed as a redevelopment opportunity if demolished. The Warehouse also becomes the second entry on this year’s list to be saved, soon after the Werner Brothers Storage Building in Roger Park had its demo plan canceled, a major win for preservationists and Chicago’s cultural heritage.

Image from The Warehouse via The Basement

Built in 1906 and clad in a cream and green glazed brick exterior, it wasn’t until 1975 that it became a club after nightlife organizer Robert Williams purchased the structure. The three-story club opened in 1977 and became an instant hit with Chicago’s Black, Latino, and LGBTQ+ communities who sought a safe space for their self expression. This popularity exploded when DJ Frankie Knuckles began playing at the venue and pioneering the house music we know today, a blend of disco, R&B, Gospel, and techno among others.

Image of The Warehouse via WBEZ

House music today has become a global sensation and infiltrated multiple other genres of music including pop for many years. The small unassuming building harkens to an era of Chicago nightlife no longer seen, and birthplace of a major cultural element for the city, nation, and world. While the designation does protect the building, currently no plans to redevelop the now office space-filled structure have been announced.

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