214 South State Street

214 South State Street is a building in Chicago's Loop, which was designed by C. M. Palmer and was built in 1887.A Bright Future for Century and Consumers Buildings
, Preservation Chicago. Retrieved January 17, 2020."Gunther's New Building", ''Chicago Tribune''. May 15, 1887. p. 17. The building is owned by the General Services Administration and currently sits vacant.

History

The building was completed in 1887, and served as Charles F. Gunther's candy, pastry, and ice cream factory and salesroom. The building opened May 18, 1887. The building was originally 6 stories and its address was 212 State Street under the pre-1911 Downtown Chicago street numbering system.

In 1909, Gunther retired and sold the building to Jacob L. Kesner. Kesner built the Consumers Building at 220 South State Street in 1913, and had purchased 214 South State Street to ensure a skyscraper would not be built there.Preservation Chicago Unveils the 2011 Chicago 7 Most Threatened… The Century & Consumers Building
, Preservation Chicago. Retrieved January 17, 2020. After the completion of the Consumers Building, 214 South State Street was known as the Consumers Annex."She Threatens to Shoot", ''Chicago Tribune''. November 6, 1914. p. 13. In 1913, Kesner was issued a building permit for alterations on the six story building, with Jenney, Mundie & Jensen listed as the architects. By 1923, the building was reported to be four stories.Chase, Al. "Truly Warner Leases South State Hat Shop", ''Chicago Tribune''. March 28, 1923. p. 31.

A. Weis & Company operated the Winter Garden, an upscale restaurant located in the basements of 214 South State Street and the adjacent Consumers Building.220 S. State Street - The Consumers Building, Chicago, IL
, General Services Administration. Retrieved January 17, 2020. Another tenant in this era was the Economy Hat Bleachery. In 1923, Truly Warner began renting first, second, and third floors for a hat shop. The building was also home to a Harmony Cafeteria in the 1920s and 1930s. In 1946, Martin Jewelers began renting the building, replacing the Newart Company, a clothing retailer."Jewelers Rent Four Story Building at 214 S. State St.", ''Chicago Tribune''. March 10, 1946. p. A8. Martin Jewelers had the building remodeled, with Isadore E. Alexander redesigning the first floor storefront in the Streamline Moderne style. The building was later home to Roberto's, a men's wear shop.

In 2005, the General Services Administration acquired 214 South State Street and neighboring buildings, using eminent domain to seize some of the properties, citing the need for increased security around the Dirksen Federal Building.Feds invade State Street
, ''Crain's Chicago Business''. November 14, 2005. Retrieved January 17, 2020.

In 2017, CA Ventures reached an agreement to purchase 214 South State Street, the Consumers Building, the Century Building, and 212 South State Street, for $10.38 million.Ori, Ryan.
$141 million project to bring 429 apartments to State Street
, ''Chicago Tribune''. June 1, 2017. Retrieved January 17, 2020. The Consumers Building and Century Building would have been converted to apartments, as part of a $141 million redevelopment project, while the historic Streamline Moderne storefront of 214 South State St. would have been restored and incorporated into a 25,000 square-foot structure built between the taller buildings for retail and commercial use. Under the terms of the agreement, the City of Chicago would purchase the buildings from the federal government and then immediately sell them to CA Ventures. However, the City of Chicago backed out of the agreement in December 2019, citing security concerns at the nearby Dirksen Federal Building.Ori, Ryan.
$141 million State Street development halted over federal courthouse security concerns
, ''Chicago Tribune''. December 16, 2019. Retrieved January 17, 2020.Kozlarz, Jay.
State Street apartment plan derailed over security concerns at nearby courthouse
, ''Curbed''. December 16, 2019. Retrieved January 17, 2020.

References

{{Reflist

1887 establishments in Illinois
Buildings and structures in Chicago
Buildings and structures completed in 1887