The Preservation Chicago 2023 Chicago 7 Most Endangered presentation was presented to a hybrid audience, both live in-person audience and a simultaneous virtual audience of approximately 400 people on March 8, 2023. The in-person audience was comprised of reporters, funders, board members, preservation partners, staff and Chicago Architecture Center members at the Chicago Architecture Center’s Joan & Gary Gand Lecture Hall. We anticipate that this hybrid format, with live in-person audience and live virtual simulcast will become the standard moving forward as it allows maximum attendance and flexibility.
Ward Miller’s 2023 Chicago 7 Most Endangered presentation was fast-paced, information-packed, and engaging. Beautiful photos and embedded media made the presentation visually rich and compelling. For those who missed the live event, the entire one hour presentation was recorded and has been posted on Preservation Chicago’s website and YouTube channel. This year’s Chicago 7 is dedicated to the memory of Chicago philanthropist Richard H. Driehaus, and Pauline Saliga, former Executive Director of the Society of Architectural Historians.
The Chicago 7 Most Endangered 2023 reporting has been robust with coverage with many articles appearing in print, web, radio and television. This media coverage is important as it powerfully amplifies the message.
Since 2003, the ‘Chicago 7 Most Endangered’ has sounded the alarm on imminently threatened historic buildings and community assets in Chicago to mobilize the stakeholder support necessary to save them from demolition.
In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Chicago 7 Most Endangered program, a brief retrospective will highlight notable wins and losses. “Once a Chicago 7, always a Chicago 7,” until it’s saved or lost. See all past Chicago 7 at Preservation Chicago’s website.
“Despite seemingly impossible odds, the public interest generated by the Chicago 7, coupled with devoted advocacy, has resulted in a remarkable number of preservation victories over the 20 years,” said Ward Miller, Executive Director of Preservation Chicago.
“The very identity of Chicago is tied to our historic buildings and the stories they tell,” said Eleanor Esser Gorski, CEO of the Chicago Architecture Center. “These are the architecturally and culturally significant structures and spaces that give our city its character. By partnering with Preservation Chicago, we’re spotlighting some of the most urgent issues facing our historic built environment today, and we are honored to host our friends for this much anticipated annual announcement.”
Founded in 2001, Preservation Chicago is a non-profit organization devoted to leveraging the power of Chicago’s historic built environment to create, nurture, and protect healthy, vibrant, diverse, and sustainable communities. From ‘lost cause’ to ‘celebrated landmark,’ Preservation Chicago has become a powerful agent of change and our impact continues to tangibly and significantly make Chicago a better city.
Preservation Chicago is committed to strengthening the vibrancy of Chicago’s economy and quality of life by championing our historic built environment. Preservation Chicago protects and revitalizes Chicago’s irreplaceable architecture, neighborhoods and urban green spaces. Through advocacy, outreach, education and partnership, we influence stakeholders to pursue creative reuse and preservation-sensitive outcomes.
- The ‘Birthplace’ of House Music Makes Preservation Chicago’s Most Endangered Buildings List for 2023; Patty Wetli, WTTW Chicago, 3/8/23
- The ‘Birthplace’ of House Music Makes Preservation Chicago’s Most Endangered Buildings List for 2023; Paris Shutz, WTTW Chicago Tonight, 3/8/23 (5:25)
- Preservation Chicago issues 2023 ‘most endangered’ list, The properties range from early State Street skyscrapers t//o less-prominent commercial and industrial buildings in the neighborhoods; David Roeder, Chicago Sun-Times, 3/8/23
- Threatened with demolition, century-old Loop towers again top Chicago’s annual most endangered buildings list, Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 3/8/23
- 20 years of historic buildings, districts and objects at risk: Preservation Chicago’s full ‘Most Endangered’ list, Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 3/8/23
- These are the 7 most endangered spaces in Chicago right now, Dennis Rodkin, Crain’s Chicago Business, 3/8/23
- Here Are Chicago’s 7 Most Endangered Buildings And Destinations; Preservation Chicago’s 2023 list of endangered buildings includes the Century and Consumer Buildings, Taft Hall and Jeffery Theater Building and Spencer Arms Hotel, Melody Mercado, Block Club Chicago, 3/9/23
- Preservation Chicago Reveals 2023’S Most Endangered Buildings List, Ian Achong, Chicago YIMBY, 11/11/23
- The Most Endangered Buildings in Chicago and How We Can Help Save Them, Jon Hansen, It’s All Good – A Block Club Chicago Podcast, 3/8/23 (23:53 min)
- The Preservation Chicago 2023 “Chicago 7 Most Endangered” Full Video (Length 3:58)
- The Preservation Chicago 2023 Chicago 7 Most Endangered Video Short (Length 1:00)
- The Full Announcement and Presentation of the Preservation Chicago 2023 “Chicago 7 Most Endangered” (Length: 64 Minutes)
