Wednesday, March 14, 2012

A Sloopin Mystery? What Goes on in this Building?



A reader writes:
Any insight from Sloopers/readers on what goes inside this (above pic) building and the one immediately to the south of it. When this picture was taken, no addresses were posted on the buildings, but last time I drove past, I believe some had been posted. These buildings would be the two immediately south of 1600 S. Prairie condos.

The building to the south of the one in the picture has "PECO" lettering on the front. Google searches turned up a cleaning/uniform services for restaurants, but both numbers were out of service or disconnected. Only a few times while out walking the dog have I seen any of the doors open or lights on and it looked like the building to the south of the one in the picture had a bunch of cars (possibly luxury) and boats inside. Money-laundering operation, much?

Can Sloopin's readers help me solve this mystery?

UPDATE and Photo from a reader:
I've attached a closeup photo of the building facade on Prairie that you posted about today. The images shows an electric train etched into the building:
(Hat tip: JZD and EJM!)

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Did you ever think it can be for winter storage of those vehicles ?

Anonymous said...

its a beautiful building , I think its being used by an electric utility. There are some heavy lines going into that place.

Unknown said...

I thought this was a power substation for the Metra Electric/NICTD trains. You can see the serious power cables that pop up from underground right across the street to feed the overhead power lines like Anon9:34 said.

Anonymous said...

I am guessing it's being use as an electrical Substation for the Metra line.

Anonymous said...

Could it be a data center? I know there are a few in the sloop. It would explain both the privacy and the serious power cables.

Anonymous said...

It's a power substation used to provide electricity to the Metra Electric line. If you look closely at the top center of the building's facade, you'll see an image of an electric train etched into it.

Anonymous said...

Hey Anonymous One (posted at 9:26 AM), ever think to try and sound a little less condescending in your comments? Not sure if it was your intention, but you sound like a real pompous prick.

Anonymous said...

O.T.
Lollapalooza ain't going anywhere. Will start paying taxes and raise admissions.

Anonymous said...

Re: anon @ 9:55: I'm a different anon, but I think being pompous is warranted when readers are continuously propped up on this blog making offensive random assumptions about places in the neighborhood (e.g. "money-laundering operation much" and "is Mary Sears Children's Academy closed?").

Anonymous said...

I clicked on the link to North Shore autosports. Looks like its run by Frank Roti. Is this "the" Frank Roti?

Anonymous said...

Powers the metra lines across the street ..you can see the huge lines dive into the ground across the street from it.

MEANWHILE THE LEXINGTON TOWER IS FINALLY AND DROPPED A HUGE BANNER ON THE BUILDING LAST FRIDAY ...WHERE IS THE STORY ON THAT SLOOPY?? GET IT TOGETHER

Dennis McClendon said...

It was built 1925 as the Commonwealth Edison East 16th St. Substation, to provide power for the newly electrified Illinois Central suburban service. The architect was Hermann V. Von Holst.

Anonymous said...

Imagine that: the detail on a building can help identify and celebrate the building's function, in addition to contributing to the beauty of the street, all in spite of the building's utilitarian function.