Who Owns That Massive Brick Thing?
So, you’ve been wondering who owns that colossal, gothic-looking building that looks like it could house an army? The one in Chicago that used to be a post office? Well, buckle up, because this is a tale as dramatic as a soap opera, but with less crying and more real estate.
A Brief History of a Big Building
Let’s rewind a bit. This bad boy was built in the roaring twenties, a time when hats were big, skirts were shorter, and apparently, post offices needed to be the size of small countries. It was the postal hub of the Midwest, handling more mail than your ex sends you breakup texts. But times change, and so do postal needs. The internet happened, and suddenly, letters became as rare as a polite person on public transport.
The Post Office: From Stamps to Startups
Fast forward to the 21st century. Our once-proud postal palace is sitting there, all alone and looking a bit lost. The question on everyone's lips (or at least the lips of real estate agents) was: who wants to buy a building the size of a small country? Enter the mysterious 601W Companies. These real estate wizards saw potential where others saw pigeons. They swooped in, bought the place, and announced plans to turn it into a modern marvel.
A Makeover for the Ages
Now, this isn’t your grandma’s post office anymore. We’re talking sky-high offices, trendy restaurants, and even a hotel. It’s like they’re trying to make the building as far removed from its postal past as possible. And you know what? It’s working. It’s becoming a hot spot, a place where people want to work, eat, and maybe even sleep.
So, there you have it. The old Chicago post office is now owned by a group of people who clearly have excellent taste in real estate. It’s a transformation story for the ages, one that proves even the biggest, most outdated buildings can find new life.
How-To Corner
- How to impress your friends with this knowledge: Drop this info casually into any conversation about Chicago. Bonus points if you can work in a reference to the Great Gatsby.
- How to visit the new post office: It's not a post office anymore! But you can definitely visit the building. Check out their website for events and opening hours.
- How to imagine what it looked like as a post office: Channel your inner detective. Look up old photos, watch period dramas, and try to picture thousands of letters being sorted.
- How to feel nostalgic for the good old days of snail mail: Write a letter to yourself. It's a fun way to time capsule your thoughts and feelings.
- How to appreciate good architecture: Take a moment to admire the building's impressive facade. It's a piece of history that's been given a new lease on life.