“The residential conversion of the former West End Woman’s Club building at 37 South Ashland Avenue on the Near West Side is now complete. Known henceforth as the West End Club, it is open to residents, with the first move-ins taking place on the first of May.
“The original two-story building, constructed in 1904 and most recently the home of the United Electrical Workers union from 1948 through 2023, was converted to apartments by ZSD Corp. They received a permit from the City of Chicago on May 15 of last year to renovate the building into 22 dwelling units and to add an addition above the existing structure. (Schell, Chicago YIMBY, 5/22/25)
“Efforts to preserve a renowned mural on the Near West Side have received a financial boost. The Chicago Public Art Group has been awarded more than $450,000 from the Mellon Foundation to preserve the two-story ‘Solidarity’ mural in the former UE Hall, 37 S. Ashland Ave…
“The mural, painted in 1974, illustrates the history of the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America and the labor movement from the 1930s onward. It spans about 500 square feet.
“Most of the mural will be moved to the union’s new home at 1901 W. Carroll Ave., also home to the Chicago Teachers Union, rather than be demolished. Small portions of the mural will also be sent to the offices of In These Times magazine at 2040 N. Milwaukee Ave. and the UE Local 506 hall in Erie, Pennsylvania. (Acharya, Block Club Chicago, 10/23/24)
“The sprawling mural, which is titled “Solidarity” and narrates the history of industrial unionism, spanned the two lobbies and central staircase of the union’s meeting hall on South Ashland Avenue, which is being gutted and turned into apartments. A team of artists painted the vibrant work in the style of Diego Rivera between 1973 and 1974.
“The two-story brick building…was originally built for the West End Woman’s Club in 1904. The western region of the United Electrical Workers union moved in 1948. The meeting hall was once essential to the union’s operations.” (Breen, Chicago Tribune, 10/30/24)
Read the full story at Chicago YIMBY
- Residential Conversion Of The West End Woman’s Club Is Complete, Open To Tenant, Daniel Schell, Chicago YIMBY, 5/22/25
- Historic ‘Solidarity’ Mural In Former Union Hall Will Be Preserved Thanks To Arts Group Grant; The mural illustrates the history of the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America. The Chicago Public Art Group was awarded more than $450,000 from the Mellon Foundation to preserve it, Pavan Acharya, Block Club Chicago, 10/23/24
- One of Chicago’s oldest public art pieces is saved, thanks to arts grant, Peter Breen, Chicago Tribune, 10/30/24