“A city commission has signed off on landmarking the iconic and historic sign on the Morton Salt building.
“The Commission on Chicago Landmarks voted unanimously Thursday to offer landmark designation to the old factory. In February, City Council approved a zoning change needed to convert the factory, 1357 N. Elston Ave., into office space and a music venue. The landmarks commission approved preliminary protected status for the building and surrounding properties that same month.
“Mary Lu Seidel, of Preservation Chicago, praised the developers’ commitment to reusing a historical structure as opposed to tearing it down.’ It is really encouraging to have a developer like this come in and create a phenomenal asset … We encourage future developers to model this behavior,’ she said.
“City leaders reviewed a plan to convert the Morton Salt building near Goose Island into a concert hall and office building.
“Co-developed by Blue Star Properties, the development arm of 16 on Center, and R2, a Chicago-based commercial developer, the $30 million project is expected to create 200 construction jobs and about 50 permanent jobs. It will generate $4.5 million in annual tax revenues, according to plans submitted to the city.
“The developers sought landmark status for the old salt factory as they planned to keep the factory’s iconic sign, which shows a girl in a yellow rain jacket holding an umbrella.
“Ald. Walter Burnett (27th), has said he was happy the project would retain the sign, which ‘most of us have known for all of our lives.'” (Alani, Block Club Chicago, 4/1/21)