POTENTIAL WIN: Scoring Stage Adaptive Reuse Plan Proposed for Stock Yards National Bank After Lengthy Vacancy

“Like the face of its clock tower, the Stockyards Bank is frozen in time. Inside, the buildings’ faded splendor is visible in all the intricate architectural details.

“‘You can see, when you close your eyes, use your imagination that this was an incredible, iconic building in Chicago,’ said Rich Daniels, a director of Third Coast Music, a non-profit group looking to revitalize the building.

“The century-old bank served those working in – and passing through – the Union Stockyards, back when Chicago was ‘the hog butcher for the world,’ as author Upton Sinclair famously put it.

“‘Just to imagine these cowboys who had just driven in a bunch of cattle from the west along with guys in suits that were the real money people for this business, rubbing shoulders or whatever that expression is, in this building,’ said Katherine Hughes, a director of Third Coast Music.

“The building at 41st and Halsted Streets has been vacant since the 1970s, but Third Coast Music directors Daniels, Hughes, and Susan Chatman want to give it a second act, filling it with the sounds of the cinema.

“Third Coast Music has proposed an $80 million project to restore the bank, and to build the finest ‘scoring stage’ in the world on the vacant lot next door.

“‘We are creating something that is not in the Midwest,’ Chatman said. ‘This is something you find – scoring stages – in California on movie lots.’ A scoring stage is a performing and recording space where orchestras make Hollywood soundtracks.

“The Stockyards proposal would allow Chicago-based television shows and films to complete the whole production process in Chicago rather than having the soundtracks done in Los Angeles.” (Mike Lowe, WGN Chicago, 4/9/25)

Preservation Chicago has been advocating for the restoration and adaptive reuse of the Stock Yards Bank building for many years. The Chicago Landmark Designation prevented its demolition. We are thrilled by this adaptive reuse plan and look forward to seeing this important Chicago Landmark back in service.

Read and watch the full story at WGN Chicago

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