While efforts to save Noble Square’s historic St. Boniface church from the wrecking ball via adaptive reuse have been underway for some time, the plan is reportedly facing a rapidly-approaching deadline. According to a letter sent to nearby residents from Chicago’s Department of Planning and Development, Michael Skoulsky of Stas Development has until this Friday — September 23rd — to finalize his purchase of the 1902 church, reports DNAinfo.
Skoulsky and investment partner Marc Realty are hoping to save the long-vacant church at 1358 W. Chestnut St. by adapting it into 15 condominiums and a new conservancy space for the Chicago Academy of Music. Under the plan, an additional 24 condo units would occupy a new four-story adjacent structure. If Skoulsky and company can not complete their reported $2.2 million acquisition of the church by Friday, competing developer Guardian Capital plans to buy the property’s debt and will likely demolish the structure to build single family homes.
Things could move very quickly should the reuse plan fail to meet Friday’s deadline. Considering that St. Boniface served its 90-day hold back in 2012 and a demolition permit for the church has already been issued, Stas development’s pending deal is really the only thing keeping current owner Phil Moeller (or future owner Guardian Capital) from immediately knocking down the Henry Schlacks-designed building.