A recent comment from a reader inspired us to check out the mysteriously empty eight-story mid-rise at the northwest corner of Madison and Western, identified by the National Register of Historic Places as the West Town State Bank Building. Yo did a little investigating, and it turns out that this Mundie and Jensen-designed structure, home to a black radio station in the 1930s and ’40s, is about to be inhabited for the first time in decades.
The building has been empty for at least 20 years, says Darian Sayfi, operations manager for IDM Service Corp. of Chicago (the company doesn’t have a Web site), which bought the building in March 2002 from a private owner. After some extensive rehabbing, the 62 apartments inside have just become available for rent. There are about 45 one-bedroom units that range from $750 to $850 and about 15 two bedrooms from $1,000 to $1,250, Sayfi says. Plentiful parking in an adjacent lot is also available for between $100 and $125 a month. For more information or applications, call 773-252-7500.
Sayfi says there’s one tenant signed up so far for the retail space on the ground floor: Sweet Dreams Bakery and Cafe, which will sell organic treats. Seems just right for the upscale condo owners who are moving to the area in droves, and for the hospital and downtown workers Sayfi says he hopes will move into the building.