The last reported remaining arcade in Chicago is threatened with demolition and replacement with a 6-story building. Located at the corner of Broadway, Devon and Sheridan in Edgewater, the 94-year old Woodruff Arcade has served dozens of small tenants since it was first opened circa 1923.
In 1922, W.J. Woodruff received a building permit from the city for his arcade, according to the Edgewater Historical Society. Architect Herbert Green designed a handsome but utilitarian red brick building that opens up inside with iron staircases, large interior windows into the internal courtyard, and that big skylight. (WBEZ, 6/22/17)
The Edgewater Historical Society is leading an effort to Save the Woodruff Arcade with a petition drive focused at convincing 48th Ward Alderman Osterman to oppose the demolition. Please take a moment to sign the petition here.
The arcade currently houses over a dozen small business and offices. All tenants were given notice that they would need to vacate their spaces by December 31, 2017.
The former owner operated the arcade for over 30 years, but sold the building to Borekci Real Estate, a company based in Ankara, Turkey, and Algonquin Venture Real Estate LLC based in Northbrook.
As reported in DNAinfo, tenant Anvi Parikh, of SRJ Consulting, a financial services firm that leases space in the building was told the building was slated to be razed and rebuilt as a six-story development.
Additional Reading
What’s That Building? The Woodruff Arcade with Dennis Rodkin, WBEZ Chicago, Morning Shift, 11 Minute Radio Story, June 22, 2017
Petition to Save the Woodruff Arcade
Arcade Building Sold, Business Owners Forced Out, Loyola Phoenix, Julie Whitehair, February 1, 2017