“The Chicago Department of Planning and Development has announced four new winners for its latest allocation of Adopt-A-Landmark grants earlier this month. The four winners were selected from 20 applicants that are spread across the city and fall within the department’s Historic Preservation Division which services the Commission on Chicago Landmarks.
“Per the department’s press release, the projects were evaluated for their readiness, location, impact, and building needs among other criterias. The grants will provide over $800,000 in total to the four winners, all of which are undergoing a mix of restorations and renovations. All of the winners have already been designated Chicago Landmarks.
Apollo’s 2000 – $249,000 Grant
Located at 2875 West Cermak Road in South Lawndale, the iconic theater previously served as a movie house before becoming a neighborhood staple as an event space. The 1917-built structure is undergoing a $1.1 million rehabilitation including extensive repairs to its facade.
Epworth Church – $235,000 Grant
Located at 5253 North Kenmore Avenue in Edgewater, the iconic stone-clad church was built in 1891 and has been in the headlines in the last few years as it achieved landmark status in 2023. The building is undergoing a $305,350 roof replacement ahead of being converted into a community center and mosque.
Hyde Park Union Church – $163,838 Grant
Located at 5600 South Woodlawn Avenue in Hyde Park, the brick-clad church is working on renovating its side wing which it uses for its education department. A major part of this is a roof replacement and repairs with an estimated cost of $175,000.
Pierce Arrow Building – $240,000 Grant
Located at 2420 South Michigan Avenue in the Near South Side, the building sits within historic Motor Row and dates back to 1909. The building is currently used for commercial uses and has been undergoing facade and parapet repairs which will cost $405,450 in total.
“Grants are funded via voluntary zoning fees paid by downtown developers as well as through the city’s Neighborhood Opportunity Bonus System according to DPD. Since 2016, it has provided more than $14 million in grants for projects totalling $174 million in value, all of which focus on restoring local landmarks for years to come.” (Achong, Chicago YIMBY, 1/31/26)
Preservation Chicago applauds the City of Chicago for its support of Designated Chicago Landmarks. We testified in support of Adopt-A-Landmark grants for all four grantees including Apollo’s 2000, Epworth Church, Hyde Park Union Church, and Pierce Arrow Building. And we advocated for and testified in support of Chicago Landmark Designation for Apollo’s 2000, Epworth Church, Hyde Park Union Church. Especially after all of our advocacy work for Epworth Church, we’re thrilled to see it protected from demolition and being restored.