“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 South LaSalle Street. This is a very important early skyscraper designed by William LeBaron Jenney, the father of the modern skyscraper.

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 Urbanize Chicago

• 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