“A historical South Side bank building could be redeveloped into offices, shops and a new home for Woodlawn’s public library within three years, its developers said.

“Developer DL3 Realty plans to build Revive 63, a six-story building, at the former Washington Park National Bank, 6300 S. Cottage Grove Ave.

“The proposal calls for the century-old bank to be redeveloped into a 70,000-square-foot building with offices, ground-floor shops, a rooftop event space and a new Bessie Coleman branch of the Chicago Public Library with an outdoor “reading garden.”

“‘We need to activate this space in a vibrant way that brings people [and] jobs to this community — to help create additional retail uses along 63rd and along Cottage Grove,’ said Alex Sparhawk, director of acquisitions and development for DL3 Realty.

“Construction on the $45.6 million project is set to begin in spring 2026, and the development is expected to open by fall 2027.

“The project is supported by a $20 million Chicago Public Library capital bond and would not move forward without the library as an anchor, Sparhawk said. The library would own the space it occupies.

“The bank’s limestone façade would be preserved and restored, but the rest of the building would be replaced by a new steel and glass structure due to roof, flooding and masonry damage. Revive 63 initially planned to demolish the entire building.” (Evans, Block Club Chicago, 2/6/25)

Preservation Chicago is thrilled by this outcome. We have long urged DL3 Real Estate, the Cook County Land Bank Authority and other stakeholders to preserve and reuse this historic building.

We wish to recognize the leadership of Eleanor Gorski during her leadership of the Cook County Land Bank Authority which was essential to this preservation-oriented direction. Additionally, Preservation Chicago’s dedicated advocacy proved critical at many milestones over the past decade. The Washington Park National Bank was a Chicago 7 Most Endangered in 2016 and again in 2020.

The Washington Park National Bank Building is an important neighborhood anchor on a commercial corridor that has seen the tragic loss of many important buildings. It is essential for the long-term reinvestment and prosperity of this commercial district that this historic building be preserved and redeveloped.

Read the full story at Block Club Chicago

• Woodlawn Bank Redevelopment Aims To House Public Library Under Developer’s Plan; After years of shifting plans for the former Washington Park National Bank, developer Revive 6300 now proposes a six-story office building with shops and a library — all behind the old building’s façade, Maxwell Evans, Block Club Chicago, 2/6/25
• New Details And Timeline Revealed For Revive 63 Redevelopment In Woodlawn, Ian Achong, Chicago YIMBY, 1/5/25
• Developers seek community input on Woodlawn bank building revival, Ahmad Sayles, Hyde Park Herald, 1/28/25
• Historic Washington Park National Bank Building Gets Approval To Build Luxury Offices; The $40 million redevelopment project, a collaboration between two Black-owned firms, could be completed by 2025, Jamie Nesbitt Golden, Block Club Chicago, 9/14/23
• Washington Park Bank Building approved by City Council, Zoe Pharo, Hyde Park Herald, 9/12/23
• Washington Park National Bank. A 2020 Chicago 7 Most Endangered