The scaffolding and fencing are finally down at the Uptown Broadway Building, and we can get a glimpse of the entire building and the attention to detail that's been put into its restoration. What a gem it will be when completed! We can hardly wait.Thank you, Thaddeus Wong, for seeing the potential in this once-abandoned eyesore and restoring it to the community.
Lord almighty is that amazing stuff.
ReplyDeleteThat building looks fantastic. I always thought that would make a great L stop/shopping center.
ReplyDeletei'm nearly speechless...amazing.
ReplyDeleteWe are glad we could share this positive post with you all. We have many great things in Uptown to look forward to.
ReplyDeleteI was going to write in about this today!
ReplyDeleteI walked by it this evening, and this neo-baroque gem looks fantastic now!
I hope it inspires the neighbors to the south.
I really do hope to be optimistic about this reno. I just think that the dark gray clouds looming overhead can't help but be an interesting juxtaposition in this photo.
ReplyDeleteLet's hope we can keep this building beautiful and have reputable businesses and tenants occupy it! What another amazing gem indeed to have in our Uptown!
The building does look lovely. It is nice to hear that good things are also happening in Uptown. Any information on the building's future tenants?
ReplyDeleteSome of our newer readers may be surprised that there is lots of positive Uptown news in our "Uptown Update Archives" which can be found off on the right. All of our posts can be found there since the inception of UU. There is also a handy "search" feature up at the very top on the left to search UU for past postings, including past postings on the "Uptown Broadway Building" whose progress we have been following for quite some time now. It's amazing the amount of wonderful info on Uptown you can find if you look beyond this past week's grim news.
ReplyDeleteI live across from the building and it's been fun watching it be revitalized. We've nicknamed it "the Wedding Cake Building", but it's even more fun learning about Capone's link.
ReplyDeleteDop-
ReplyDeletePlease keep an eye on this building if your home faces it. It seems to be a popular palette for our local youth (remember the vandalism on the door?). If you see anything suspicious, please call 911. This building is far too beautiful to be vandalized again.
What a gem! Great to see they saved this beautiful building and did a perfect job restoring it during a time where it seems like more buildings are being demolished and replaced with bland & boring cookie-cutter buildings.
ReplyDeleteIs there any news on who/what is going to occupy this great space?
As a more recent reader, I did indeed check out a lot of your prior posts and understood that you have a certain POV. I certainly saw glimpses of hope posted throughout your blog, and I believe there's a lot more good here in Uptown than meets the eye. I've experienced a lot of good things growing up here and have seen a lot of exciting new changes. I look forward to reading more, UU.
ReplyDeleteI too, will keep an eye on this building, as I walk by it everyday.
ReplyDeleteIt's like a phoenix rising.
And trust me, I'll call at the slightest bit of tagging or vandals.
The building's owners.....WE.....have struggled so much, to let a set back ruin it
I really do hope to be optimistic about this reno. I just think that the dark gray clouds looming overhead can't help but be an interesting juxtaposition in this photo.
ReplyDeleteThe terra cotta on the Uptown Broadway Building is really interesting in certain light. The photos I took of it last April were shot during an early morning snow shower, and the building turned out to have the most incredible tint and shadowing in those pictures. In some ways, the buiding looks better in overcast or filtered light than in direct sunlight, because the grey turns to a slate blue.
In any case, it's probably my favorite building in the city right now. I'm so proud of it and so happy to see it restored to its original grandeur.
We should all be proud of this gorgeous reno.
ReplyDeleteIt's a few and far between signal, that Uptown can be more than just 'white T-shirt shootings' and Alderman-induced/sanctioned neglect.
Pride of place!......here's hoping!
With out Shiller more buildings in Uptown would be rehabbed.
ReplyDeleteShe makes in impossible for anything besides low income or SRO to happen here.
You're all aware that this building is not in Helen's ward...right?
ReplyDeleteThanks Bradley - once again, she'll take credit for this as it's "...part of the entertainment corridor I share with Ald Smith..."
ReplyDeleteJust like she did with Tunney with the Whole Foods and Center on Halsted...
You can thank Mary Ann for this, Crew, B of A, Demmera, etc etc.
As a matter of fact, I've taken the time to actually tell Mary Ann Smith thanks for keeping a good balance in her Ward and bringing some life to this particular area...
You can thank Mary Ann for this, Crew, B of A, Demmera, etc etc.
ReplyDeleteWow, didn't realize this was in my (Smith's) ward. I remember when i used to go to the African music/dance club that used to be in the basement on the far north end of the building.
Gotta say, I'm no big fan of Smith and the tactics of her supporters of systemically knocking off her potential opponents from the last ballot. But I did get fast response from her recently about a growing number of homeless/loiterers hanging out in the alley near my building, carting in numerous mattresses, storage items, setting up clotheslines, etc. While some were homeless, others starting hangout there to drink, play loud music on their radio and use the alley as their not-so-public bathroom. I wrote the Smith about the potential problem and the very next day I got an email from her aide telling how she took a walk over there, saw the situation and told the proper authorities (the caretaker of the church they were living behind, etc.) Then got a followup email about what progress was being made and now have received a THIRD straight email on progress in addressing the situation. Gotta say, I was a little shocked at how fast they responded. Wonder why some of this fast responsivness hasn't rubbed off on her next-door-alderman Shiller?
man on the street, why must you tease us....
ReplyDelete...emails,
...quick responses
...follow up emails
...cleared the garbage out
STOP the madness NOW...
Yup, it's all in Mary Ann's Ward...Border's too...
I did hear a little something on how she "bullied" the other opponents out of the race, which doesn't sound cool, but I don't know all the facts....
I had read rumor awhile back on this site that there was a wine bar possibly going in. Does anyone have any further info by chance ?
ReplyDeleteThe only info we have...and this is now several months old is a supper/club/lounge in the basement from the owners of "Club Lucky," some sort of burger place and a wine bar called "Clever Boar" on the first floor. We have no idea if these things are still a "go" or not.
ReplyDeleteI'll dig around to see what I can find about potential tenants in this building.
ReplyDeleteOh. Anyone aware if Mr. Wong has any plans to host a party in this building?
ReplyDeleteIt sure would be a great way to introduce the building to residents and commercial merchants before it is occupied.
Wow, when I first moved into this neighborhood, I remember thinking that I hope someone renovates the building but leaves the facade. Looks like it has become a reality.
ReplyDelete