“Final landmark status has been approved for the historic high-rise at 19 South LaSalle Street in The Loop. Located mid-block between West Madison Street and Monroe Street, the former office-retail mixed-use building is set to be converted into housing as part of the larger LaSalle Street Reimagined initiative.

“Built in 1893, the 16-story building was designed by William Le Baron Jenney. Jenney is considered the father of the skyscraper after completing the nearby Home Insurance Building, which pioneered the concept of a central and exterior steel structure. The tower on LaSalle is one of Jenney’s last remaining works in the Loop and previously served as the headquarters for the YMCA’s central region.

“The building meets multiple city criteria for landmark designation, including exemplary architecture, association with an important architect, and the retention of its historical integrity. The approval protects all exterior elevations and significant features. With landmark status, developer Envoi Partners can also apply for various tax incentives for the conversion.

“Designed by local firm HPA, the plans call for the conversion of 159,000 square feet of space into 207 residences, along with new retail space along the street front and side alley. Of those units, 30 percent will be designated as affordable. Work is set to commence on the $64 million conversion this spring, as interior demolition permits have been issued. (Achong, Chicago YIMBY, 1/4/26)

“An interior demolition permit for the office to residential conversion of 19 S. LaSalle has been issued as the building simultaneously proceeds through the landmark process with a final landmark recommendation secured from the Commission on Chicago Landmarks. Originally built in 1893 as the Central YMCA Headquarters, local developer Envoi Partners acquired the building in October 2024 and will convert the building into apartments and retail.

“For the landmark designation, the Commission identified the building as meeting Criterion 1 for heritage as the Central YMCA Headquarters reflects the YMCA’s growing presence and popularity in Chicago in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Central YMCA Headquarters is a rare example of a YMCA facility that housed association programming within a high-rise commercial office building.

“Also meeting Criterion 4 for exemplary architecture, the Central YMCA Headquarters is an early example of a fireproof, steel-frame skyscraper in Chicago, and combines the exuberant historicism of late-19th century architecture with the growing influence of the Chicago School, which emphasized expression of structure and restrained ornamentation.

“The west tower of the building, both in its original form with Romanesque ‘campanile’ and as redesigned in the Classical Revival style in 1913, presented a traditional face to LaSalle Street, while the stripped-down south elevation reflected Jenney’s functional design philosophy.

“The building also meets Criterion 5 for its association with an important architect. The 1893 Central YMCA Headquarters was designed by Chicago architectural firm Jenney & Mundie, with the 1913 addition designed by their successor firm Jenney, Mundie & Jensen. Founded by William Le Baron Jenney (1832-1907) and William Bryce Mundie (1864-1939), Jenney & Mundie designed some of Chicago’s best-known early skyscrapers including the Manhattan Building (1891), Second Leiter Building (1891), Ludington Building (1892), and New York Life Insurance Building (1894), all extant and designated Chicago Landmarks.

“Together with the New York Life Building at 37-43 S. LaSalle, the Central YMCA Headquarters represents the only remaining extant examples of the work of William Le Baron Jenney in the Loop. Widely recognized as the ‘father of the skyscraper,’ senior partner William Le Baron Jenney developed the concept of skeleton-frame construction whereby the weight of a building rests on an internal framework of iron or steel rather than its exterior walls. This technological advance revolutionized building construction throughout the world.

“The Central YMCA Headquarters also meets the separate integrity criteria as it retains good integrity with its overall historic massing; stone, terra-cotta, and glazed brick exterior; and fenestration pattern. Though its ground level storefronts have been changed and its cornice has been removed, most of the changes to the building’s exterior appearance over its nearly 130-year life were made by the YMCA and express the association’s changing needs during the eight decades it occupied the building.” (Kugler, Urbanize Chicago, 11/11/25)

Preservation Chicago is very supportive of the adaptive reuse of 19 S. LaSalle Street. This is a very important early skyscraper designed by William LeBaron Jenney, the father of the modern skyscraper. Previously, Preservation Chicago had nominated 19 S. LaSalle Street as a Suggestion for Landmark.

Having three William LeBaron Jenney designed skyscrapers in a row makes this stretch of LaSalle Street extraordinarily significant in the world of architecture. This building is highly significant and deserving of a Chicago Landmark Designation to recognize, protect and support the building.

We’ve strongly encouraged the developer and other decision makers to pursue a Chicago Landmark Designation. We’ve testified in support of Chicago Landmark Designation and will continue to advocate for the building through the process.

Read the full story at Chicago YIMBY and Urbanize Chicago

• Landmark Status Approved For 19 South LaSalle Street Ahead Of Conversion, Ian Achong, Chicago YIMBY, 1/4/26
• Office-to-residential conversion advances for 19 S. LaSalle; A landmark designation for the building is also underway, Lukas Kugler, Urbanize Chicago, 11/11/25
• Investor plans LaSalle Street office-to-apartment conversion, eyes distressed Loop offices, Danny Ecker, Crain’s Chicago Business, 10/3/24
• Foreclosure suit hits LaSalle Street landlord; The 129-year-old building at 19 S. LaSalle St. could be a candidate for conversion to a residential or other use as the city tries to bring more foot traffic to the heart of the Loop; Danny Ecker, Crain’s Chicago Business, 11/2/22
• Central YMCA Headquarters, 19 S. LaSalle Street Wikipedia
• Central YMCA Headquarters, 19 S. LaSalle Street LoopNet Listing
• 19 South LaSalle Website