“The Residences of St. Boniface, Phase 2 of the St. Boniface Church redevelopment project in Noble Square, have topped out, windows are in, and exterior work is nearing completion ahead of their spring 2025 debuts.
“Located at 1340 West Chestnut Street and directly across from Eckhart Park, the condos are the new-construction portion of the adaptive re-use units next door at the renovated church.
The City of Chicago issued a foundation permit on August 28, 2024 to allow the start of construction, following it up with the full permit on October 23, 2023.
“ZSD Corp is the developer behind the project, and also the general contractor. They’re adding 20 new condominium units here across the four-story structure. Floor plans will all be either three-bedroom or four-bedroom layouts, and there are 20 parking spaces included below grade.
“Designed by SGW Architecture & Design, the building includes inset balconies overlooking Eckhart Park to the south, as well as steel terraces facing north over the alley. The penthouse units will feature private rooftop decks. The project website shows 65 percent of the units are already under contract.” (Schell, Chicago YIMBY, 12/27/24)
“Ward Miller, executive director of Preservation Chicago, an advocacy group, called the church ‘a great architectural landmark and a gateway building into the community.'” (Kamin, Chicago Tribune, 5/23/19
Decades years after St. Boniface Church held its last mass, and after 16 long years of relentless preservation advocacy, and a last minute sale before demolition; Preservation Chicago is thrilled that the St. Boniface adaptive reuse was finally received Chicago City Council approval in August 2018 with plans to adaptively reused the historic church by Michael Skoulsky of Stas Development with Space Architects + Planners.
The Romanesque church was designed by architect Henry Schlacks in 1902 and is located at 1348 W. Chestnut Street. First nominated as a Preservation Chicago 2003 Chicago 7 Most Endangered Building, preservation advocacy efforts were sustained for over a decade until a final rapid response effort which culminated on Friday, September 23, 2017, when with demolition scheduled for the following Monday morning and moments before the hard deadline of Friday at 5 p.m., the building was sold to Stas Development for a preservation-sensitive adaptive reuse.
The road to St. Boniface’s preservation has been long, complex, and difficult. Despite that the prospects for success seemed remote at times, Preservation Chicago never lost hope and never stopped advocating for a preservation-oriented outcome.
Preservation Chicago’s leadership role was pivotal, but many preservation partners worked tirelessly to support St. Boniface. Preservation Chicago wishes to recognize and celebrate Michael Skoulsky of Stas Development. David Ruttenberg of Marc Realty Capital, Skoulsky’s equity partner in the project; and Northwestern Settlement House.
The courageous leadership of Eleanor Gorski and Dijana Cuvalo, City of Chicago Landmarks Division and Lisa Misher, City of Chicago Senior Counsel, was instrumental to this process. Persistent advocacy from Lisa DiChiera at Landmarks Illinois and the continued interest of local press kept the fight for St. Boniface in the public spotlight.
Neighborhood organizations including Neighbors of St. Boniface led by the Kevin Stawiarski, East Village Association’s Bob Zwolinski Scott Rappe, and Gladys Anselmo, along with Preservation Chicago Board President Brad Suster never faltered. Neighbors of St. Boniface were key to the effort’s success, including Claudia Sainsot, Jon Kulpit, Kathy Thalmann, Jim Boccarossa, and architect Mike Vasilko. Elaine Coorens, editor of ‘Our Urban Times’ and Alisa Hauser formerly of ‘DNAinfo Chicago/Block Club Chicago’ have been dedicated to covering this story for years.
Read the full story at Chicago YIMBY
- The Residences of St Boniface Continue Progress Toward Spring Deliveries, Daniel Schell, Chicago YIMBY, 12/27/24
- St. Boniface Condo Conversion In Noble Square Nearing Construction After Years Of Delays, Developer Says; Developer Michael Skoulsky hopes tenants will begin moving into the church by fall 2023: “At this point, there’s no way that it doesn’t come together.”, Quinn Myers, Block Club Chicago, 7/14/22
- Boarded-up St. Boniface faces uncertain future amid dispute over control, Blair Kamin, Chicago Tribune, 5/23/19
- St. Boniface Church Is Resurrected as a New Condo Development, AJ LaTrace, Chicago Magazine, 3/20/18
- Condo conversion for Noble Square’s St. Boniface Church moves forward, Jay Koziarz, Curbed Chicago March 30, 2018
- Graffiti-Marred St. Boniface Altar Cleaned Before Block Party, Alisa Hauser, DNAinfo Chicago, 10/17/16