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Designed by the architectural firm of Frost & Granger, this 1911 Beaux Arts
structure is located immediately north of the Ogilvie Transportation Center
alongside the Metra commuter railroad tracks. For the first half of the 20th
century it housed coal-fired generators that powered the Northwestern
railroad terminal (demolished, 1981). The powerhouse was vacated after 1960
and languished for 40 years until it was purchased for redevelopment in
2003.
The 35,000 sq. ft. building is capped by a 200-foot smokestack and
punctuated by large arched windows at track level, which have all been
replicated as part of the building’s conversion. In order to create enough
rentable space, three floors were added to the vaulted interior and the
structural frame was buffered from train vibrations, since portions of the
building lie directly under the rail tracks. The owners credit existing
local and federal tax incentives for the success of the project, without
which the redevelopment of this local landmark would have never been
realized.
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