What You Can Do
Give $11 to help support the 11 Most Endangered Places.
11 Most Endangered
Michigan Boulevard Garden Apartments
Year Listed: 2003
Location: , Illinois
Current Status: Endangered
Threat: Deterioration, Neglect, Poor Public Policy
Significance
One of the nation’s foremost examples of visionary workforce housing, the Michigan Boulevard Garden Apartments were constructed in 1929 by philanthropist Julius Rosenwald. Designed to meet the housing needs of Chicago’s growing African-American middle class, the 421-unit building boasted handsome brickwork and terra cotta trim, a playground and spacious courtyard gardens -- offering a new standard of living in the lively neighborhood nicknamed the "Black Belt." But after years as the place to live on the city’s segregated South Side, the building eventually was overrun by gangs, drugs and violent crime. Now it stands vacant and boarded up, although it remains structurally sound. Unless public officials and private-sector investors work together to demonstrate that historic preservation and high-quality working-class housing go hand in hand, this once-vibrant landmark of African-American life and culture will be lost forever.
Updates
The current developer completed some preliminary demolition work on the building, but has been seeking new ownership for the property, which was presented at a public auction. The property was not sold, however, and its future remains unclear. A group of concerned citizens in the Bronzeville neighborhood are working with a local developer who is interested in purchasing and rehabilitating the property. The recent political shift in this Chicago ward suggests a brighter future may be on the horizon for the Apartments, as the neighborhood group hopes to obtain the support of the new Alderman for this project.
Share your memories of this endangered place
Submitted by filmore at: February 11, 2010
I used to live here from birth to 8 years old and continued to visit there up until 1998 I have fond memories of this beautiful and innovative site and appreciate the fact that it is a historical place. If I had the resources i would most certainly bring it to its afformentioned glory and stature. thank you for this platform to express this!