Young Women's Christian Association, 830 S. Michigan Ave. (1894-2010)
Designed by John M. Van Osdell II, son of Chicago's first architect, the Young Women's Christian Association at 830 S. Michigan was the point of entry for thousands of young women settling in Chicago in the late 19th and early 20th Century.
The site of the YWCA was recently part of a plan to build an 80-story condominium tower on the north east corner of 9th St. and Wabash Ave. The Michigan Ave. facade of the building was to be saved as access to the condominium complex, but plans for the development fell through.
In January 2010, work began on the demolition of this historic but terribly neglected building. As the backhoes peeled away the crumbling bricks to reveal the interior light wells of the building, the structural deterioration from decades of neglect became apparent. By late March 2010 the building was completely demolished, leaving a gaping hole in the Michigan Avenue street wall.
The South Loop Historical society was able to save a large 80-pound chunk of the decorative terra cotta detail from under one of the window bays. This piece has been added to our growing collection to document this building that stood for 116 years overlooking Michigan Avenue, Grant Park, and the lake.
Sources: AIA Guide to Chicago, Crain's Chicago Business.
Photos Courtesy Library of Congress, John C. Thomas
