PRESERVATION CHICAGO TRYING TO SAVE THE WAREHOUSE
206 S. Jefferson, once known as the nightclub, The Warehouse, is said to be the birthplace
of House music. It is now on Preservation Chicago’s Most Endangered List. PHOTO
PROVIDED BY PRESERVATION CHICAGO.
Preservation Chicago is trying to save the Warehouse
By Tia Carol Jones
The Warehouse, which was located at 206 S. Jefferson, is said to be the birthplace of House music. The genre which originated in Chicago, with Black DJs and music producers, and gained popularity during the 1980s.
The art deco building was a factory which housed the Warehouse before it became a nightclub in the late 1970s. Now, the building is on Preservation Chicago’s Most Endangered List. The corner of Jefferson and Adams was renamed in honor of legendary House music DJ Frankie Knuckles.
The Warehouse was the place where Knuckles honed and perfected his skills and gained notoriety. Knuckles, whose real name is Francis Warren Nicholls, Jr., had moved from New York City to Chicago in the late 1970s. Knuckles is known as The Godfather of House Music.
“It [The Warehouse] was a safe space where marginalized Black and Brown gay men and women could come and be themselves,” said Frederick Dunson, Executive Director of the Frankie Knuckles Foundation.
Dunson added The Warehouse’s model was something that a lot of after hour clubs tried to duplicate. Dunson described nightlife in Chicago during the time as very segregated, which was why a place like the Warehouse was so necessary. He said the Warehouse had one of the best sound systems.
“It was a very communal feeling. I always say House music is akin to Gospel music. Because it’s a very spiritual thing, it makes you move and either you feel it, or you don’t. If you do, then you’re in for a good ride,” Dunson said.
Preservation Chicago is a historic preservation advocacy nonprofit organization that fights to save historic sites of cultural, architectural and historical importance. Fall 2022, someone reached out to Preservation Chicago to inform them that the former site of The Warehouse was up for sale.
Max Chavez, Director of Research & Special Projects for Preservation Chicago, described the language in the listing as “alarming.” It listed that the site could be a perfect opportunity for redevelopment.
“We were worried because the property was being marketed as a redevelopment opportunity and there are no historic protections on the building whatsoever. There’s no landmark designation,” said Chavez, adding that the Chicago Historic Resources Survey, a list compiled of historic and significant sites in this city, did not have The Warehouse on it.
Preservation Chicago was concerned that whoever purchased the property could demolish overnight and there would be no recourse. The property sold in December and Preservation Chicago reached out to the new owners to find out what they planned to do with the property. Those owners have not responded to Preservation Chicago’s inquiry.
Because of the cultural significance of the site, it was put on the 2023 Most Endangered List. Preservation Chicago would like to see The Warehouse receive Landmark status. Also, because the Chicago Historic Resources Survey is a tool used by Preservation Chicago, the organization feels it needs to be updated.
Preservation Chicago believes that new development and historic buildings can coexist. Historic buildings can be reused, and facades can be retained and worked into buildings. Preservation Chicago is optimistic the city of Chicago will give the building landmark status, as it covers identities that aren’t always represented in Chicago landmarks – Black history, music history and LGBTQIA + history.
“[The Warehouse] is significant, where so many of us who were raised in that era became familiar with ourselves and familiar with each other, and familiar with House music and it’s music that we’ve come to love. It would be significant in keeping it around,” Dunson said. “I think it’s a part of history and Chicago’s history that should be at least noted.”
There is a petition on Change.org to save the Warehouse at tinyurl.com/2ea67eth. For more information about Preservation Chicago work, visit preservationchicago.org.
By Tia Carol Jones
The Warehouse, which was located at 206 S. Jefferson, is said to be the birthplace of House music. The genre which originated in Chicago, with Black DJs and music producers, and gained popularity during the 1980s.
The art deco building was a factory which housed the Warehouse before it became a nightclub in the late 1970s. Now, the building is on Preservation Chicago’s Most Endangered List. The corner of Jefferson and Adams was renamed in honor of legendary House music DJ Frankie Knuckles.
The Warehouse was the place where Knuckles honed and perfected his skills and gained notoriety. Knuckles, whose real name is Francis Warren Nicholls, Jr., had moved from New York City to Chicago in the late 1970s. Knuckles is known as The Godfather of House Music.
“It [The Warehouse] was a safe space where marginalized Black and Brown gay men and women could come and be themselves,” said Frederick Dunson, Executive Director of the Frankie Knuckles Foundation.
Dunson added The Warehouse’s model was something that a lot of after hour clubs tried to duplicate. Dunson described nightlife in Chicago during the time as very segregated, which was why a place like the Warehouse was so necessary. He said the Warehouse had one of the best sound systems.
“It was a very communal feeling. I always say House music is akin to Gospel music. Because it’s a very spiritual thing, it makes you move and either you feel it, or you don’t. If you do, then you’re in for a good ride,” Dunson said.
Preservation Chicago is a historic preservation advocacy nonprofit organization that fights to save historic sites of cultural, architectural and historical importance. Fall 2022, someone reached out to Preservation Chicago to inform them that the former site of The Warehouse was up for sale.
Max Chavez, Director of Research & Special Projects for Preservation Chicago, described the language in the listing as “alarming.” It listed that the site could be a perfect opportunity for redevelopment.
“We were worried because the property was being marketed as a redevelopment opportunity and there are no historic protections on the building whatsoever. There’s no landmark designation,” said Chavez, adding that the Chicago Historic Resources Survey, a list compiled of historic and significant sites in this city, did not have The Warehouse on it.
Preservation Chicago was concerned that whoever purchased the property could demolish overnight and there would be no recourse. The property sold in December and Preservation Chicago reached out to the new owners to find out what they planned to do with the property. Those owners have not responded to Preservation Chicago’s inquiry.
Because of the cultural significance of the site, it was put on the 2023 Most Endangered List. Preservation Chicago would like to see The Warehouse receive Landmark status. Also, because the Chicago Historic Resources Survey is a tool used by Preservation Chicago, the organization feels it needs to be updated.
Preservation Chicago believes that new development and historic buildings can coexist. Historic buildings can be reused, and facades can be retained and worked into buildings. Preservation Chicago is optimistic the city of Chicago will give the building landmark status, as it covers identities that aren’t always represented in Chicago landmarks – Black history, music history and LGBTQIA + history.
“[The Warehouse] is significant, where so many of us who were raised in that era became familiar with ourselves and familiar with each other, and familiar with House music and it’s music that we’ve come to love. It would be significant in keeping it around,” Dunson said. “I think it’s a part of history and Chicago’s history that should be at least noted.”
There is a petition on Change.org to save the Warehouse at tinyurl.com/2ea67eth. For more information about Preservation Chicago work, visit preservationchicago.org.
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