Tiny White Castle may get landmark status
DAVID ROEDER droeder@suntimes.com March 22, 2011 8:10PM
roeder reports
David Roeder reports on real estate 6:22 p.m. Thursdays on WBBM-AM (780). The reports are repeated at 10:22 p.m. Thursday and 7:22 a.m. Sunday.
Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM
Hard as it is to believe, hamburgers were once a disreputable food in America. People were suspicious of the meat, and the presentation did nothing to reassure them. The meat was formed into lumps and cooked until it was dry and tasteless, then stuffed between slices of cold bread.
Long before McDonald’s, White Castle began to change the public’s image of burgers. Its founders discovered the advantage of searing a patty over high heat, garnishing it with onions and serving it on a warm bun. The chain was founded in Wichita, Kan., and spread across the country, with the South Side of Chicago a stronghold. The white-glazed brick of the early restaurants emphasized cleanliness.
And that’s why a tiny building, all of 150 square feet, has been proposed for landmark status in Chicago. At the southeast corner of Cermak and Wabash, a long-ago White Castle dating from 1930 is said to be one of the best surviving examples of the company’s innovation in fast food.
Since 1982, it’s been a Gourmet Chicken restaurant that has expanded to include the property next door. Owners Dave Gupta, known in the neighborhood as Chef Luciano, and his son Rocky restored the corner building. They brought back its corner tower and crenulations said to be inspired by the Water Tower.
The Commission on Chicago Landmarks on March 3 recommended the building for preliminary landmark protection. The action starts a review process in which owner consent is solicited and, if necessary, hearings are held. City officials said it would be the tiniest landmark building in Chicago.
The hearings are important if the owner doesn’t want landmark status, but the process for this building could be smooth. Rocky Gupta said he and his dad are “110 percent behind” landmark protection.
“We tear down so much of our history,” he said. “It’s nice to preserve something as part of a well-established business.”
Landmark designation could qualify the building for property tax breaks. Plus, the owners don’t mind the publicity and getting a plaque on the building.
Confusion could result from this. On the northwest corner of Cermak and Wabash is a modern, functioning White Castle restaurant that isn’t part of the landmark proposal. But if the city proposal goes through, you’ll be able to get your sliders there with a little historic scenery on the side.
FORECLOSURES R US: The law firm Pierce and Associates, which handles foreclosures for banks, has expanded at 1 N. Dearborn, going to 78,000 square feet from 50,000 square feet. UGL Ltd. represented Pierce.
It’s a case of bad times for everyone else equaling good times for this firm. But UGL Senior Vice President Steve Schneider said its an example of slowly increasing activity in the marketplace, with tenants cautiously growing more confident and starting to look for room to grow. Ultimately, that means room for new hires.
STEPPING UP: Corporate philanthropy happens all the time, but this case warrants special mention. Real estate firm Jones Lang LaSalle Inc. is donating $1.25 million to the Japanese Red Cross as direct help for that country’s disasters. Chicago-based Jones Lang has offices in Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo and Fukuoka.
OOPS! I misstated a deal last week involving the former Opera restaurant, 1301 S. Wabash. A partnership bought the restaurant equipment and fixtures, but not the building. An upscale sports bar is planned this spring.
DOING THE DEALS: Cushman & Wakefield Inc. said MS International, a natural stone distributor, bought a 212,0000-square-foot building at 1441 W. Jarvis, Elk Grove Village, from ProLogis. The $5.5 million price included a credit for a new roof. The buyer is moving within Elk Grove Village and expanding. . . . Law firm Binder & Binder tripled its size in a relocation from 33 N. La Salle to 209 W. Jackson, where it leased 12,000 square feet, said Cushman & Wakefield. . . . AlphaMetrix Group LLC, a financial services firm, expanded at 181 W. Madison and now has the whole 34th floor and part of the 33rd, said Cushman. . . .
Arthur J. Rogers & Co. and CB Richard Ellis Group Inc. brokered the $8.8 million sale of the Old Dominion Freight Terminal, 5500 W. 47th St., Forest View. North American Terminals bought the 134-dock terminal from Finch & Barry Realty. . . . Pet Stuff, a retailer that’s in expansion mode, has signed leases at 2525 N. Elston and 613 W. Diversey, which will bring it to six Chicago locations. Jameson Commercial Real Estate represents Pet Stuff. . . . The Chicago Rush Arena Football League team that’s part-owned by Mike Ditka leased 5,400 square feet at 2340 S. River, Des Plaines, for its headquarters. Podolsky Northstar Corfac International represented the team.
, , , Colliers International represented Avnet Inc. in its lease of 23,000 square feet at 5400 Prairie Stone Pkwy., Hoffman Estates. . . . Colliers also handled the lease of 13,000 square feet by First Hospitality Group Inc. at 10275 W. Higgins, Rosemont.
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