1130 South Wabash Avenue in the South Loop is close to being completely demolished. All five levels, and the basement, are still visible, but only at the rear of the structure. The rest has been reduced to rubble and piles of scrap.
The entity of SBY Wabash LLC got a demo permit from the City of Chicago a year ago. Now, demolition contractor Atlas Industries is doing the dirty work of tearing it down. Completed in 1892 and designed by architect Thomas W Hawkins, the brick-clad timber loft building was the home of the Wood Motor Vehicle Company. Most recently, it served as commercial and office space on the upper floors, with retail space at ground level. You can read more about the building from Lee Bey of the Chicago Sun-Times here.
Google Street View of the former 1130 South Wabash Avenue
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
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Plans for the future of the site have yet to be revealed publicly. This area of the South Loop has seen considerable development in the last few years, with residential towers 1000M, NEMA Chicago, and Eleven40 recently opening within a couple blocks, along with the 30-story, 342-room Hilton-branded hotel right across the street.
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Seems like a waste of a quality timber loft building that would have been in high demand as residences.
This one hurts from a preservation perspective. A timber loft adaptive reuse would have been well received. Hopefully whatever replaces it gives way to some inspired architecture.
I agree. They could have charged so much for lofts I that location. Whoever decided this is greatly out of touch with architecture and vision.
I voiced my opposition on the demolition of this building on Reddit a while back and got downvoted. It’s sad to see a historic building torn down, no matter how insignificant. The architecture is unique and they don’t make them like this anymore; sad to see it go.