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Chicago’s Old Post Office scores first major renovation permit

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The hulking riverfront structure is finally getting some attention after years of neglect

The first piece of 601W Companies’ planned $500 million overhaul of the long-vacant Old Chicago Post Office is falling into place with the issuance of a new building permit for exterior facade repair and restoration. While there’s still a virtual mountain of work ahead in order to reverse years of decay and numerous fires, the news is an encouraging sign that the 2.5 million-square-foot Art Deco behemoth is finally getting some much-needed TLC.

Teaming up with the architects at Gensler, 601W will convert the Old Post Office into new office space with a rooftop deck and a riverfront plaza. The New York-based developer acquired the propertyfrom absentee owner Bill Davies for $130 million earlier this year. In an unusual twist of fate, Davies—who promised very big things for the riverfront site but delivered absolutely zero—suddenly passed away in the middle of the deal.

Update: Shortly after publishing this story, a SkyscraperPage forum member shared an image of what appears to be a group of workers already getting started on the job. Crews are wasting no time on getting the Old Post Office cleaned up.

Old Post Office

, Chicago, IL 60607