The fate of the century-old Jackson Square Antique Mall in La Grange has been sealed as village trustees have given the green light for its transformation into a condominium complex. Despite a passionate campaign to preserve the building, which includes a petition with more than 2,000 signatures, the board's vote positions the historic structure to be replaced by a contemporary five-story, 39-unit residential development, as reported by CBS News Chicago.
While advocates for the building's preservation emphasized its unique architectural features and role as a community hub, concerns about potential privacy issues for adjacent homeowners remained unheeded. During the village meeting, resident Caitlyn Fetta expressed worries about the condo's design, stating, "The north side of our building is not a solid brick wall as depicted in our renderings. It features 27 windows that look directly into our windows, bathrooms, and kitchens," as she told CBS News Chicago. The decision, while contested by some, fulfills the village's aim to offer more housing options close to public transportation.
The antique mall's current vendors, including Mandy Levy, who sells vintage clothing, are anticipated to relocate to a yet-to-be-identified location in the near future. Despite the imminent changes, Levy's attachment to the building's charm is palpable. "How cool to be able to go inside this literal tomb of treasures and history of La Grange and spend a day antique shopping?" Levy remarked in an interview with CBS News Chicago. She, along with the other antique vendors, is now faced with the task of finding a new space to house their collections of vintage goods.
Arguments for the building's demolition were bolstered by practical considerations such as the prohibitive costs of necessary repairs. The building's owner, Therese O'Sullivan, who also operates the antique mall, explained the daunting financial realities of refurbishing it, particularly addressing the elevator's end of life. "The biggest thing is we're at the end of life with the elevator, and that investment to repurpose the elevator or redo it is over half a million dollars," O'Sullivan said, as per a report by NBC Chicago. Despite the building's storied past and what some say is irreplaceable character, economic factors ultimately played a pivotal role in the trustee's decision to permit its replacement with modern condominiums.
The approval marks the close of one chapter for the town's history and the beginning of another, as La Grange moves to create housing aligning with the village’s 2024 Comprehensive Plan, prioritizing residences near public transit. Developer Dan Spain's plans for the new condo building, which come with a premium price tag, aim to attract residents seeking the convenience of nearby transportation options. The project is expected to inaugurate an altered landscape in the community, a change propelled by both the march of time and the pressures of contemporary urban development.
