Masonic Temple in 1900. Photo by Detroit Publishing Company

Lost Legends #10: The Masonic Temple Building in The Loop

In this edition of the “Lost Legends” series, we delve into the history of The Loop‘s Masonic Temple Building, which stood tall from 1892 until the late 1930s. Designed by the renowned architectural firm Burnham and Root, the Masonic Temple Building was the city’s tallest from 1895 to 1899 (taking the title initially when the original Board of Trade Building had its clock tower removed, then surpassed by The Montgomery Ward Building), serving as an emblem of Chicago’s status as a global pioneer in architecture and engineering.

New EV Gigafactory Announced Near Kankakee

The construction of a new electric vehicle (EV) battery plant has been announced for the city of Manteno near Kankakee. Located at 333 S Spruce Street near I-57, the 150-acre site sits just south of the proposed site for the expanded Peotone Airport we covered recently. The plant was announced as a collaboration between the State of Illinois and Chinese battery maker Gotion Hight-Tech.

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Cabrini Green Redevelopment To Move Forward To Zoning Review

The mixed-use development at 1450 N Larrabee Street in Old Town is set to advance to the Committee on Zoning. The wedge-shaped site is bound by the angled portion of N Clybourn Avenue on the west side, with the vacant lot having been the home of the Near North Career Metropolitan High School. The development team is made up of the Chicago Housing Authority, Pennrose Properties, Hunt Companies, Imagine Group, and a Cabrini-Green resident group, with JGMA serving as the architect.

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Metra overpass reconstruction. Photo by Jack Crawford

Reconstruction of Metra Overpass Steadily Advances in Old Irving Park

Extensive Metra infrastructure work continues to progress for the Metra in Old Irving Park, aiming for completion in spring 2024, despite delays. A stretch of Milwaukee Avenue by its intersection with Kilbourn has been closed off to support the construction efforts for the railway’s overpass replacement and Grayland Station overhaul. Initially set to conclude in 2022, this closure has been prolonged to prioritize safety and facilitate project efficiency.

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