Friday, March 3, 2017

Old Union Station Power House on Top 7 List of Chicago Endangered Buildings

Old Union Station Power House on the Chicago River, just North of Roosevelt
We were frankly surprised to see a picture of the Union Station Power House featured as one of the city's 7 most endangered buildings by a group called Preservation Chicago.

Why?  Just take a look at the building!

It feels like a misplaced, cartoonish version of something that was built for a movie to showcase how "old energy" was created.

Curbed Chicago explains:
Union Station Power House While the power house at Union Station has not been active since 2011, Preservation Chicago says that the building is notable for a number of reasons. First, its stoic and austere Art Moderne design from Graham, Anderson, Probst & White is an important work of architecture. However, the building also represents Chicago’s might and importance as a rail hub during the twentieth century. According to Preservation Chicago, Amtrak, the building’s current owner, is exploring various options for the site, including demolition.

It's such a comical looking building in our mind, we kinda would like to see it stay - just for the novelty of it.  That being said, it's presumably pretty valuable land and wouldn't shock us if it's sold.

What do you think?  Do you want it to go or do you want it to stay?

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