Posts Tagged closed Chicago firehouse

Former Chicago firehouse for sale (more)

Excerpts from dnainfo.com:

At a Plan Commission meeting June 15, officials will introduce a resolution to sell 102-year-old firehouse in Rogers Park at 1721 W. Greenleaf Ave. to Jim Andrews and Dean Vance, a long-time neighborhood couple who have sought to renovate the building for years.

They want to transform the firehouse into a work-live space that would include rooftop solar panels, a geothermal heating and cooling system, and two greenhouses. Other features would include parking for up to 10 cars; transforming the building’s 10,000-square-foot concrete lot into a landscaped garden; restoration and retention of the firehouse’s facade; and an emphasis on maintaining as much of the architectural integrity as possible.

The two would live on the second floor, while the first floor would be used for their ad agency and therapy practice. 

They attempted to buy the building during the city’s last round of bids in 2013-2014 and were among three finalists selected by community members to potentially take it over, but an error by the city required the process to be halted and restarted.

Earlier this year Ald. Joe Moore (49th) said though he had gone through a community input process to recommend the best buyer to the city, he was told he would have to choose the highest bidder instead.

In February, the city opened the Greenleaf Avenue firehouse back up to bids for the third time since it closed in 2009 and issued a request for proposals with a target selling price of $315,000.

The estimated $1,657,540 renovation could potentially triple the property’s value to about $925,280.  If all goes according to plan, the pair hope to have the renovations are finished by the end of 2018.

The station, formerly home to Engine Co. No. 102, has been on the market several times since it closed in 2009 after the construction of a newer firehouse. The 6,323-square-foot building was finished in 1915 and sits on a 8,934-square-foot lot.

thanks Dan & Dennis

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Former Chicago firehouse for sale

Excerpts from dnainfo.com:

 The 102-year-old firehouse at 1723 W. Greenleaf Ave. is back up for grabs after the city opened the property to bids for the third time since it closed in 2009.

On Monday, the city’s Department of Planning and Development issued a request for proposals for the two-story  firehouse and the target selling price is $315,000.

The station, formerly the home of Engine Co. No. 102, has been on the market twice since it closed in 2009 following the construction of a newer firehouse.

Between 2013 and 2014, several interested parties vied for the space and Ald. Joe Moore (49th) eventually whittled down the proposals to three — a Hindu temple, a home-office space and headquarters for two economic support and social organizations — though none of the prospects came to fruition.

Shortly after it closed, the Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society also made a move for the property, though that plan also eventually fell through.

The 6,323-square-foot building was finished in 1915 and sits atop a 8,934-square-foot lot, and is currently zoned for residential developments, though the planning department is willing to consider requests that require zoning changes.

It’s potential use is flexible, according to the city, but “respondents must respect the existing land uses and architecture of the surrounding area when submitting proposals,” and proposals should “preserve the historically significant exterior elements and basic structure of the building.”

Among its features is a vintage air raid siren installed in 1942 and operated by a Chrysler motor known as the “1 Chrysler Victory Bell.”

thanks Dennis

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A visit to Engine 53’s old house

This from Tyler Tobolt:

 here is a photo of the old CFD Engine 53 house on Packer

Old Chicago fire station

Vacant former quarters of CFD Engine 53. Tyler Tobolt photo

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A visit to Engine 87’s old house

This from Dan McInerney:

With the announcements recently of the city selling old firehouses, here is an example of the unusual – an old firehouse that became a private residence many years ago. There are but a handful of old firehouses that have been converted into residential occupancies.
This is Engine 87’s old house located on 87th street at Escanaba (SE corner). It was built in 1907 and was in service until 1980. It looks to be in pretty good shape for a 106 year old building. It still has red apparatus doors and the “Fire Department” stone inscription is still very much intact. The neighborhood has declined over the years and is not a great place to be after dark, and many of the neighboring buildings haven’t fared as well….
old Chicago firehouse

Old CFD house of Engine 87. Dan McInerney photo

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