“A building that for a century served Palmer Square neighbors, either through religious services or after-school programming, has been transformed into more than a dozen high-end apartments. And the apartments, most of which are renting for $2,650-$2,795, are going fast.
“Despite the challenges facing Chicago’s real estate market amid the pandemic, it’s only taken the development team about four months to rent all but one of the apartments at The Grand Palmer Lodge, 3228 W. Palmer St. Now the developers are selling the building for $6 million.
“‘When you have a new unique property, it tends to get a lot of interest,” said Jordan Gottlieb, principal of Essex Realty, the brokerage firm selling the building. ‘There’s not many of these around.’
“Built in the 1920s, the main building was originally home to Temple-Beth El’s community space. The Boys & Girls Club took over the building in 1955 and went on to offer after-school programming and services for local kids and their families at the location for 60 years.
“In 2018, the Logan Square Boys & Girls Club announced it would be leaving the building, putting the future of the historic building in doubt. Preservationists worried the structure would be torn down.
“But New Era Chicago and development partners, Campbell Coyle Real Estate and Ranquist Development Group, stepped in and pitched an adaptive reuse project, assuaging fears. As part of the renovation, the developers removed the 1950s annex on the site and built a parking lot in its place. They also established a pocket park and a community garden next to the building.
“‘We really partnered with the community to develop this thing,’ Hagenson said. ‘We’re lucky that everyone’s aligned and we were able to preserve this building in a way that keeps it active and avoided a teardown that someone else might’ve done.’ (Bloom, 7/21/20)
Logan Square Preservation and Preservation Chicago have been working with the owners and 32nd Ward Alderman Scott Wageusepak for over two years and applaud all the stakeholders for helping to create this outstanding preservation-oriented outcome. We’d encourage owners and City of Chicago to consider a Chicago Landmark Destination of the front facade of the building to honor its legacy.
Real the full story and see the gallery of photos at Block Club Chicago
