Uploaded October 2012 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Author Tony Macaluso tells the stories, legends, and myths of what occurs on the highest levels of Chicago's buildings. Excerpts from the Sept. 26, 2012 Lunch Talk at the Chicago Architecture Foundation.
Author Tony Macaluso tells the stories, legends, and myths of what occurs on the highest levels of Chicago's buildings. Excerpts from the Sept. 26, 2012 Lunch Talk at the Chicago Architecture Foundation.










![Big Reveal: The 2026 Chicago 7 Most Endangered Buildings
Join Ward Miller, The Richard H. Driehaus Executive Director of Preservation Chicago, in the annual unveiling of the 2026 “Chicago 7” Most Endangered Buildings. Hear all about these local treasures— their colorful histories, architectural and cultural significance, demolition threats, and what can be done to protect them.
The 2026 Chicago 7 Most Endangered List
1. The Art Institute of Chicago: Stock Exchange Trading Room & McKinlock Court [21:10]
The Threat: The Art Institute is planning a massive new expansion. The proposed footprint initially targeted McKinlock Court (the beloved interior garden courtyard) and threatens Adler & Sullivans historic Chicago Stock Exchange Trading Room (which was saved and meticulously reconstructed inside the museum in the 1970s) [22:14, 27:31].
The Alternative: Preservation Chicago is advocating for the museum to expand over the two below-grade railroad trenches running to the north and south of the complex, healing those infrastructure scars just as Millennium Park did [23:10, 28:43].
2. Chicago Bridges & Tender Houses (Thematic District) [27:31]
The Threat: Chicago holds the largest collection of historic bascule bridges in the nation, but many are suffering from extreme deferred maintenance, structural deterioration, and rust [28:24]. The historic Chicago Avenue Bridge tender house is currently facing demolition [28:12].
The Goal: Pushing CDOT and IDOT to proactively invest in, clean, and properly landmark these iconic neighborhood gateways [27:59].
3. St. Mary’s Church (Riverdale) [29:51]
The Significance: Located on the far south side, this 1957 church campus (dating back to an 1890s congregation) is deeply tied to the youth of Pope Leo XIV—the first American pope [30:19].
The Threat: Closed by the Archdiocese in 2011, the five-building campus has faced severe neglect, water infiltration, and roof collapse [30:50, 31:45]. Current ownership wants to preserve it, but requires widespread support to stabilize the structures [32:26].
4. Chicago Labor Union Halls [33:38]
The Significance: A thematic focus on historic post-war and mid-century modern union buildings celebrating Chicagos profound labor history [33:47]. Featured spaces included the Workers United Hall [33:59], Painters District Council [34:26], Plumbers Union Hall [34:55], and Teamsters 710 [35:14].
The Immediate Risk: The Amalgamated Meat Cutters building at Sheridan and Diversey is actively facing a high-rise redevelopment proposal that would demolish the structure, saving only two exterior sculptures [35:32, 36:11].
5. Chicago Loop Synagogue [37:53]
The Threat: Designed by Loebl, Schlossman & Bennett in 1957, this architectural gem features a spectacular, massive stained-glass wall by Abraham Rattner [37:59, 39:07]. Due to shifts in the downtown population, membership has dwindled from tens of thousands down to fewer than 500 [38:23]. Preservation Chicago wants to secure landmark status to safeguard it as the La Salle Street corridor transitions to more residential use [40:23].
6. South Park Terrace [40:54]
The Significance: A unique 1905 residential courtyard complex at 61st and MLK Drive designed by Harry Hale Waterman, who worked under J.L. Silsby alongside Frank Lloyd Wright [40:54, 41:09].
The Threat: The building has suffered from severe mismanagement and recent fire damage [41:26]. The city has ordered portions cleared, leaving it highly vulnerable to demolition unless the CHA or affordable housing developers step in [41:31, 42:09].
7. The Yukon Building [43:04]
The Significance: An incredibly rare, ultra-modern 1898 glass-and-metal taxpayer building at Clark and Van Buren, designed by legendary firm Holabird & Roche [43:04, 43:46]. It stands as one of the last remaining physical links to Chicagos Old Chinatown hub before the community moved south in the 1920s [44:23]. It is highly vulnerable to being cleared for high-density downtown development [46:23].
+1. St. Mark Roman Catholic Church (Humboldt Park) [46:32]
The Threat: A soaring, plastic mid-century modern concrete-and-brick masterpiece built in 1963 by Barry & Kay [46:38]. Serving as a longtime anchor for the neighborhoods Puerto Rican and Latinx community, the church was recently closed and the campus is up for sale [46:46, 47:00]. Advocates want to see it converted into a community center or library branch rather than private residential lofts [48:05, 54:53]. Big Reveal: The 2026 Chicago 7 Most Endangered Buildings](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/eLdEgb-gr-U/mqdefault.jpg)