“The former Mary H. Thompson Hospital in Fulton Market is still standing, but now the property is a 210-unit luxury apartment building near Fulton Market.

“Its name — The Thompson at Fulton Market — is an homage to both the hospital and its namesake, Dr. Mary Thompson, who is recognized as Chicago’s first female doctor and the first woman known to have performed a major surgery in the city. In 1865, Thompson opened the city’s first hospital dedicated to treating women and children. She then established both a medical school and a nursing school for women.

“The five-story brick and limestone building was constructed decades after Thompson died. It was most recently part of the Women’s Treatment Center, but the pandemic worsened the center’s already dire financial situation. It closed in 2021 and the site was sold that year to Naperville-based developer Marquette Cos. Property records do not show the sale price.

“Marquette’s project was part adaptive reuse of a century-old hospital structure and part new construction.

“The developer demolished a wing of the hospital and constructed a new 12-story building. But its health care roots are still visible through an engraving on the remaining hospital structure that reads ‘Founded by Dr. Mary Thompson.’

“Designed by Chicago-based ParkFowler Plus, the building’s interiors also retain some original features including its brick and pillars.

“The apartments located in the building that’s part of the preserved hospital structure have exposed ceilings. But finishes such as deep blue-black splashes and wood laminate floors remain the same across all units. (Miller, Chicago Sun-Times, 7/10/24)

“Marquette most likely could have torn down the Georgian building that still has Thompson’s name on it — it’s not landmarked — but the firm’s head, Darren Sloniger, chose to keep it standing and gut-rehab the interior. He said the choice was more about preserving a nice-looking historical façade than about memorializing Thompson. At this project and his others in Fulton Market, Sloniger said, he wants to ‘keep the character of the neighborhood.’

“Tearing the building down would be cheaper and less complex than rehab, Sloniger said, but “one of the beauties of that area is the historical vibe,” so he opted to keep it standing.

“The building will remain a visible piece of the legacy of Thompson, Chicago’s first female doctor and the first woman known to have performed major surgery. (Rodkin, WBEZ Chicago, 5/12/22)

Read the full story at Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ Chicago

• From a hospital to luxury apartments, The Thompson at Fulton Market honors piece of Chicago history, The luxury apartment building was once the Mary H. Thompson Hospital and now boasts a slew of amenities and more than 200 units, Abby Miller, Chicago Sun-Times, 7/10/24
• What’s that building? Mary Thompson Hospital, Dennis Rodkin, WBEZ Chicago, 5/12/22