“Crews began razing the former E2 Nightclub building weeks after the city issued an emergency order to demolish the structure, reversing an earlier decision to spare it.
“WGN Chicago reported trucks on the site of the 124-year-old Motor Row building Tuesday afternoon after the city’s Department of Buildings ordered it demolished on an emergency basis, citing several structural and safety issues found during an inspection in late November.
“The court-ordered inspection resulted in five code violations, including structural failure of the bow truss roof system, partial roof collapse, three feet of standing water in the basement and an open elevator shaft, a Department of Buildings spokesperson said.
“The start of demolition marks the end of a three-year battle between the city and owner Randy Shifrin, who purchased the Motor Row building in 2021 with the intention of building a 21-story senior housing development.
“Shifrin had faced opposition on several fronts, including the Near South Planning Board, Preservation Chicago and Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd), who supported the city’s decision to save the structure.
“Shifrin filed an application for demolition with the landmarks commission in mid-July. In August, the commission voted to halt plans to raze the building, saying ‘demolition of the subject property will adversely affect and destroy significant historical and architectural features of the property and the district.’
“Former Alderman Howard Brookins, who is Shifrin’s attorney, said Shifrin is ‘ecstatic’ to move forward.” (Nesbitt Golden, Block Club Chicago, 12/19/24)
“Chicago’s Commission on Landmarks has denied a permit application to demolish the building on South Michigan Avenue, located in the city’s historic Motor Row District. …families of the victims feel that a permanent monument or memorial for their loved ones is long overdue.
“The Richard H. Driehaus Executive Director of Preservation Chicago, Ward Miller, says the building offers a significant contribution to one of the largest, intact 20th century automobile rows in existence. He adds that he hopes to see all parties come to a resolution.
“‘We do believe that we should collectively all work together to come to some sort of resolution, as to how we demarcate this terrible tragedy, so that this never happens again,’ said Ward. ‘But if we demolish the building, we not only lose a component of this Motor Row District—that’s the best of the best in the nation—but we also lose a touchstone to this really terrible tragedy.’ (Chronis, FOX 32 Chicago, 11/7/24)
“‘This is one of the most intact districts of these motor row showrooms in the nation,’ said Ward Miller, executive director of Preservation Chicago.
“The building, located at 2347 S. Michigan Ave., was completed in 1910 and originally housed a Fiat showroom.
“In order to make changes to the former nightclub, Miller explained the building’s current owner needs approval from the Commission on Chicago Landmarks. He added that he feels finding a way to honor the victims while also encouraging a rebirth of the current building would be beneficial to historic preservation.
“My heart and our hearts go out to the people that were lost there,” said Miller. “And development, in this case-sensitive development, is a reinvestment in these structures.”
“‘It’s been unoccupied for 21 years, so it just doesn’t make sense to keep it here, but the families, a lot of the family members want it here,’ said Takala Welch, a local activist. ‘It’s still something for them to kind of hold onto because it’s the last piece of them.’
“When the owner applied for a permit to demolish the site, however, it was denied by the Commission on Chicago Landmarks—which cited historical significance tied to the 20th-century automobile industry—leaving the future of the building at a standstill.” (Chronis, FOX 32 Chicago, 10/17/24)
“Among those opposed to demolishing the structure were representatives from Preservation Chicago, members of the Near South Planning Board and Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd), who reaffirmed her commitment to establish an on-site memorial while asking the commission to uphold the Department of Planning’s previous findings.” (Nesbitt Golden, Block Club Chicago, 10/18/24)
“‘It is a textbook example of a contributing building within the landmark district to Chicago’s Motor Row and automotive history,’ said Patrick Grossi of Preservation Chicago.” (Schulte, ABC 7 Chicago, 10/17/24)
Watch the full story at FOX 32 Chicago and read the full story at Block Club Chicago
- Demolition Of Former E2 Nightclub Underway After City Reverses Decision; The emergency order by the city’s buildings department to raze the historic Motor Row structure ends a three-year battle for owner Randy Shifrin, who plans to replace it with senior housing, Jamie Nesbitt Golden, Block Club Chicago, 12/19/24
- Chicago’s landmarks commission denies demolition permit for E2 nightclub building, Kasey Chronis, FOX 32 Chicago, 11/7/24
- Chicago Landmarks Commission denies demolition permit for E2 nightclub building, Todd Feurer, CBS News Chicago, 11/7/24
- Future of E2 nightclub building in limbo after 2003 tragedy, Kasey Chronis, FOX 32 Chicago, 10/17/24
- Families Of E2 Nightclub Victims Speak Out As Owner Fights To Raze Building; Relatives of the 21 victims of the 2003 stampede are asking to be included in planning for the site and for the creation of a center to help marginalized communities, Jamie Nesbitt Golden, Block Club Chicago, 10/18/24
- E2 nightclub building where 21 died in 2003 will not be torn down: Chicago Landmark Commission, ABC 7 Chicago, 11/8/24
- Chicago Landmark Commission denies plans to demolish E2 Nightclub building, Mallory Vor Broker, WBBM Newsradio 780, 11/7/24
- Landmark Commission hears arguments over demolishing E2 nightclub building where 21 died in 2003, Sarah Schulte, ABC 7 Chicago, 10/17/24
- Panel hears emotional debate on future of former E2 nightclub, site of deadly 2003 stampede, Asal Rezaei, CBS News Chicago, 10/17/24
- 2347 South Michigan Avenue LoopNet Listing
- 2347 South Michigan Avenue virtual tour, VHT Studios
- Motor Row Historic Landmark Designation Report