Seven-story ‘Loyola Gateway’ development slated to replace historic Edgewater arcade

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While preservationists push to save the old Woodruff Arcade—Chicago’s sole remaining commercial arcade building—the long-rumored redevelopment plan for the prominent Edgewater site has come into focus. Described as the ‘Loyola Gateway’ on the online portfolio of commercial real estate brokerage firm Edgemark, the proposal would replace the historic building at 6361 N. Broadway with a new seven-story, transit-oriented development containing 136 residential units atop first floor retail space.

According to a recent report from hyperlocal publication Edgeville Buzz, current property owners Borekci Real Estate and Algonquin Ventures Real Estate LLC had tapped an unnamed “New York based architect” to design a mixed-use replacement for the old Woodruff structure. While the developers’ plans were submitted to the office of 48th Ward Alderman Harry Osterman, no decision on the project has reportedly been made. Edgemark’s site lists a delivery date of fall 2018.

The 1923 Woodruff Arcade is described as a last-of-its-kind example that typifies old commercial buildings that were once plentiful across the neighborhood and greater Chicago. Predating modern shopping malls by decades, the brick structure features a two-story courtyard beneath a long glass skylight. The Edgewater Historical Society continues to collect signatures in an effort to landmark the endangered building.

Image courtesy of Ward Miller/Preservation Chicago

• Preservationists push to save critically endangered shopping arcade [Curbed Chicago]
• Chicago’s Last Remaining Commercial Arcade Building Is In Edgewater, And It’s To Be Torn Down For Development [Edgeville Buzz]
• Save the Woodruff Arcade [Go Petition]
• Loyola Gateway [Edgemark]