Following a 14,000-signature petition to protect The Warehouse building site against demolition, the Commission on Chicago Landmarks unanimously voted on Thursday 13th April, to preserve 206 S. Jefferson Street. A final recommendation will be made in “coming months”, before it escalates to the city council and mayor-elect Brandon Johnson. The Warehouse opened in 1977 and the building is currently owned by law firm Nathan & Kaminiski LLP which is “not looking to impede anything of cultural significance. The venue is rich in history and the term “house music” was coined from this legendary venue.
“We’re so excited for this development and are optimistic it will ultimately result in The Warehouse becoming an official Chicago landmark“, Preservation Chicago spokesperson Max Chavez said in an interview with Resident Advisor. “The more support there is from the public and other involved parties, the more we can convey to the City just how important The Warehouse is“.
The Frankie Knuckles Foundation founder Frederick Dunson also spoke with RA: “Everyone here in Chicago is extremely hopeful that City will support this effort for landmark status and yes, of course, that would include support from the incoming Mayor Johnson“.
