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To Demolish or Not Demolish, That is the Question

Posted by Steven (Chicagoland, United States) on 20 February 2008 in Architecture and Portfolio.

Currently at issue is a proposal for the redevelopment of the Chicago Athletic Association building (pictured), located at 12 S. Michigan Avenue. This proposal follows a recent trend along the Michigan-Wabash corridor of constructing large-scale towers behind the façades of historic structures. Examples include the Heritage Millennium, the Legacy at Millennium Park (within the Jewelers Row District), and the 80-story tower proposed as part of the YWCA building redevelopment at 830 S. Michigan Avenue. This would include a residential development which would result in complete demolition of its annex additions and a partial demolition of the building viewed here. The building, built in 1893, was designed by architect Henry Ives Cobb, designer of the University of Chicago. Additions located at 71-79 E. Madison Street were added to the structure in 1906 and 1926 respectively by architects Schmidt, Garden, and Martin. The Venetian Gothic style is rare in Chicago, and the Chicago Athletic Association exemplifies it to the fullest in its use of patterned brick and intricately carved limestone.


This building is an integral part of the Historic Michigan Boulevard District which extends from Randolph Street south to 11th Street. This landmark district was created in 2002 with the intention of preserving the architecture and scale of the 1885 to 1930 era buildings. The historic district frames the western edge of Millennium Park and Grant Park and is one of the most heavily visited streets in the city. It defines the “face” of Chicago when viewed from these parks and Lake Shore Drive.
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OLYMPUS X300,D565Z,C450Z
1/125 second
F/3.1
ISO 50
6 mm

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