Chicago's worst eyesores: Vacant buildings hide in plain sight (Vol. 4)
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The old Pippin's bar in the Gold Coast. Photo: Justin Kaufmann/Axios
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has proposed fining building owners in the city who let their properties lie dormant.
If approved, this could have a drastic impact on Chicago neighborhoods, as well as downtown Loop buildings that haven't bounced back since the pandemic.
The big picture: Chicago has a long-standing problem with abandoned buildings. These eyesores can be found throughout the city, in areas neglected by developers and wealthy neighborhoods alike.
- With the help of Axios Chicago readers, we've already identified several offenders and today, we're adding 10 more vacant spots to the list.
Royal George Theatre (Lincoln Park)
The Steppenwolf gets all the acclaim on North Halsted Street, but its neighbor across the street put on some incredible off-Loop theater in its day. It closed in 2020 during the pandemic.
- The building was sold to developers but still sits dormant today.
Pippin's Tavern (Gold Coast)
The famed Chicago dive bar Pippin's moved out of its home in 2021 after 47 years. The bar moved a block over to a bigger space on Chicago Avenue, but the old spot remains shuttered.
Sopraffina (Loop)
Sopraffina was a popular lunch spot for the Loop crowd, opening in the mid-1990s. The restaurant temporarily closed during the pandemic in 2020, to reopen in 2021.
Yes, but: It didn't last long.
Sopraffina and neighboring Trattoria #10's signage remains, but merely as nostalgia.
Central Arms Hotel (Bronzeville)
This iconic hotel first opened in 1909 on 47th Street and was one of the legendary "Green Book" hotels in Chicago. Celebrities like Sunny Rollins stayed here.
Yes, but: Over the years, the hotel and the building declined, and the city closed it in 2018, citing hazardous conditions.
Grace's Furniture (Logan Square)
The furniture store on Milwaukee Avenue closed in 2006 and has been rumored to be developed ever since.
Reality check: It's never happened, although there has been some push to save the sign.
The eyesore sits prominently across from the Logan Square traffic circle and amid the gentrifying neighborhood.
AT&T Store (Magnificent Mile)
The Mag Mile has its share of empty storefronts, even if it continues to welcome new flagship stores and exhibits.
One empty storefront that has been neglected sits at the corner of North Michigan Avenue and Ontario Street.
- It has been empty since AT&T abruptly left the space in 2023.
Scientology (Lakeview)
The Church of Scientology doesn't have a huge foothold in the city, but it did have an odd set of offices on North Lincoln Avenue for a while. It closed in 2015 to move to a bigger space in Printer's Row.
- The Lakeview offices are still up for lease.
Laramie State Bank (Austin)
This is probably the most beautiful building on this list!
The Laramie State Bank in Austin actually closed during the depression in 1930, but the landmarked building was used for several different businesses up until 2006, when it was boarded up for code violations.
- It was named to the National Registry of Places in 2023 and new development is popping up next to it as part of former Mayor Lori Lightfoot's 2022 neighborhood development initiative.
West Marine (Lincoln Park)
West Marine served Chicago boaters' shopping needs for years, but went dormant within the last year. The building itself was sold a few years back.
The intrigue: While this corner sits dormant, the neighborhood is being built up around it. The Kinsbury corridor is expanding to the north, a new gas station and convenience store has set up shop to the east and Bally's Casino is being built a few blocks south.
Fun fact: Chicagoans may know the West Marine store for what it used to be: A tow lot.
More eyesores: