Old Chicago Main Post Office#2011 redevelopment plan
{{Short description|Office building in Chicago, Illinois}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox building
| name = Old Chicago Main Post Office
| image = Old Post Office Chicago 2022.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Old Main Post Office over Ida B. Wells Drive
| coordinates = {{coord|41.875622|-87.638769|display=inline,title}}
| architectural_style =
| location = Chicago, Illinois
| address = 433 West Van Buren Street
| years_built =
| groundbreaking_date =
| start_date =
| stop_date =
| topped_out_date =
| completion_date =
| opened_date = {{start date and age|1921}}
| inauguration_date =
| relocated_date =
| renovation_date = {{start date and age|1932}}
| cost =
| owner =
| height =
| material =
| size =
| floor_count =
| floor_area =
| architect =
| architecture_firm = Graham, Anderson, Probst & White
| parking =
| public_transit =
| website = {{URL|post433.com}}
| references =
| footnotes =
| embedded = {{Infobox NRHP
| embed = yes
| name = United States Post Office—Chicago
| nrhp_type =
| image =
| caption =
| location= 433 W. Van Buren St., Chicago, Illinois
| coordinates = {{coord|41|52|34|N|87|38|19|W|region:US_type:landmark|name=United States Post Office--Chicago|display=inline}}
| locmapin = Chicago#Illinois
| built = {{Start date|1921}}
| architect = Graham, Anderson, Probst & White
| architecture = Classical Revival, Art Deco
| added = August 16, 2001
| area = less than one acre
| refnum = 01000868{{NRISref|version=2013a}}
}}
}}
The Old Chicago Main Post Office is a nine-story-tall office building in downtown Chicago, Illinois, U.S. The building was designed by Graham, Anderson, Probst & White and built in 1921. The structure of the building was expanded greatly in 1932 in order to serve Chicago's great volume of postal business, increased significantly by the mail-order businesses of Montgomery Ward (the largest retailer in the United States) and of Sears (its competitor). The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.{{cite web|url={{NRHP url|id=01000868}}|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: United States Post Office—Chicago |publisher=National Park Service|author= |date= |accessdate=June 20, 2025}} With {{NRHP url|id=01000868|photos=y|title=accompanying pictures}}
In 1997, the post office moved to a modern processing center nearby and the building was sold by the U.S. Postal Service for redevelopment in 2007. After an extensive restoration project, the Old Post Office became home to many corporate offices including Walgreens, Ferrara Candy Company, PepsiCo, Cisco Systems, Uber, CBOE, Home Chef, Vizient, Inc., and more.{{cite news |title=The Old Post Office: Best reuse of a historic building |url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/coolest-offices/old-post-office-chicago-coolest-offices-2021 |access-date=December 24, 2021 |work=Crain's Chicago Business |date=October 7, 2021 |language=en}}
History
File:161, The New Chicago Post Office, dedicated February 15, 1933 (NBY 417398).jpg
File:IL 62 I90 NARA 1969 664.jpg
File:Chicago viewed from the Willis Tower in 2010.jpg
The original 1922 structure was a brick-sided mail terminal building, sited just east of the main building that spans the Eisenhower Expressway as it turns into Ida B. Wells Drive. Major expansion in 1932 added a total of nine floors for more than {{convert|60|acre}}, or 2.5 million square feet (230,000 m²), of floorspace. Its footprint, as initially designed, would have blocked the proposed Congress Parkway extension; as a compromise, a hole for the Parkway was reserved in the base of the Post Office and utilized twenty years later.{{cite web|url=http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=128596&page=11 |title=SkyscraperPage Forum |publisher=Forum.skyscraperpage.com |access-date=July 10, 2010}} Competitors Montgomery Ward and Sears combined to make Chicago "the nation's mail-order capital". (Montgomery Ward, which became the largest retailer in the United States in the late 1930s, was eventually passed by Sears, and then was purchased and merged.) In 1966, the Main Chicago Post Office came to a halt when a logjam of 10 million pieces of mail clogged the system for nearly a week.{{cite web |url=http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/pubs/pub100.pdf |title=Publication 100 – The United States Postal Service An American History 1775–2006 |access-date=July 10, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090508205717/http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/pubs/pub100.pdf |archive-date=May 8, 2009 |url-status=dead }} With Chicago rated worst in postal deliveries, a new Main Post Office to be located right across Harrison Street was proposed. In 1997, the old building was vacated in favor of the new, modernized facility. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/IL/Cook/state10.html|title=National Register of Historical Places – ILLINOIS (IL), Cook County|work=nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com|access-date=December 13, 2016}}
A February 2006 report by the General Accounting Office stated, that it cost the government $2 million a year to maintain the retired building.{{cite web|url=http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d06248t.pdf |title=GAO-06-248T Federal Real Property: Excess and Underutilized Property Is an Ongoing Problem |access-date=July 10, 2010}} On June 9, 2009, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that the postal service was placing the post office on the auction block. Held on August 27 and conducted by Rick Levin & Associates Inc., the auction raised $40 million, which was well over the opening bid of $300,000.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-old-chicago-post-office-40-million-aug27,0,6687261.story |title=Let the bidding begin ... |publisher=Chicago Tribune |date=August 27, 2009 |access-date=July 10, 2010}}{{cite web|last=Lutz |first=Bj |url=http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local-beat/old-post-office-sold-auction-55426112.html |title=Why So Seriously Expensive? |date=August 27, 2009 |publisher=NBC Chicago |access-date=July 10, 2010}} The buyer was reported to be English real estate developer Bill Davies,{{cite web|last=Bartosik |first=Matt |url=http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local-beat/Post-Office-Buyer-May-Not-Deliver-58048172.html |title=Post Office Buyer May Not Deliver |publisher=NBC Chicago |date=September 10, 2009 |access-date=July 10, 2010}}David Roeder. "High bidder defaults on deal to buy old Chicago Post Office". Chicago Sun-Times. October 14, 2009. Retrieved on October 15, 2009. who led International Properties Developments (IPD).{{cite web |last=Bentley |first=Chris |date=September 9, 2013 |title=Neither Snow Nor Rain |url=https://www.archpaper.com/2013/09/neither-snow-nor-rain/ |access-date=June 20, 2025 |website=The Architect's Newspaper}} While Davies missed an October 10, 2009 deadline to close the deal, he finally acquired the building on October 21, 2009, paying about $17 million.David Roeder. "Brit gets discount on old post office". Chicago Sun-Times. October 22, 2009. Retrieved on October 22, 2009.
{{anchor|2011 redevelopment}}
= Redevelopment plan, 2011–2014 =
{{Main|Old Chicago Main Post Office Twin Towers}}
{{Infobox building
| name = Old Chicago Main Post Office Phase II
| native_name =
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| alternate_names =
| status = CANCELED
| image =
| image_alt =
| caption = Rendering of the proposed complex
| map_type =
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| building_type = Supertall skyscraper
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| cost = $3.5 billion
| ren_cost =
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| owner =
| current_tenants =
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| location = Chicago, Illinois
| address = West Ida B. Wells Drive and South Canal Street,
433 West Van Buren
| location_town =
| location_country = United States
| coordinates =
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| roof = {{convert|2000|ft|m}}
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| floor_count = 9
| floor_area = {{convert|16|e6ft2|m2|abbr=unit}}
| elevator_count =
| main_contractor =
| architect = Booth Hansen
| developer = International Property Developers
| architecture_firm =
| structural_engineer =
| services_engineer =
| civil_engineer =
| other_designers =
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}}
The Old Chicago Main Post Office Redevelopment was an approved {{convert|20|acre|m2|adj=on}} project on a lot located along the Chicago River on the southwest side of Downtown Chicago, Illinois to be constructed in phases over a period of one decade that would have included the renovation of the building as well as residential, retail, entertainment and office space. The plan included several towers, the tallest one being a proposed 120-story mixed use twin tower skyscraper to stand about {{convert|2000|ft|m}} high to the roof, which would have made it the tallest building in the United States,{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-21/tallest-u-s-tower-proposed-as-part-of-3-5-billion-development-in-chicago.html|title=Tallest U.S. Tower Proposed as Part of Chicago Development|author=Brian Louis|publisher=Bloomberg News|date=July 21, 2011|access-date=July 30, 2011}} over {{convert|500|ft|m}} taller than the Willis Tower, containing office, residential, and hotel space. It would also have included two 60-story residential towers as well as a 40-story hotel. All the buildings in the development were to be connected via a ground-level complex{{cite news|url=http://www.chicagojournal.com/News/07-27-2011/Old_post_office_plans_include_hotels,_skyscrapers_for_Chicago|title=Old post office plans include hotels, skyscrapers for Chicago|author=Ben Meyerson|date=July 27, 2011|work=Chicago Journal|access-date=July 30, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927181546/http://www.chicagojournal.com/News/07-27-2011/Old_post_office_plans_include_hotels,_skyscrapers_for_Chicago|archive-date=September 27, 2011}} that would have been built over the Chicago River and the Eisenhower Expressway.{{cite news|url=http://www.chicagojournal.com/News/07-27-2011/Towering_old_post_office_plan_air_mailed_to_Chicago|title=Towering old post office plan air mailed to Chicago|author=Don DeBat|work=Chicago Journal|date=July 27, 2011|access-date=July 31, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927181558/http://www.chicagojournal.com/News/07-27-2011/Towering_old_post_office_plan_air_mailed_to_Chicago|archive-date=September 27, 2011}} More specifically, it was exactly one year and nine months after acquiring the post office property from the Postal Service when Davies unveiled his plan for the Post Office on July 21, 2011. The proposal, which involved three other properties besides the 14-story Post Office, was broken down into three phases pending the required $3.5 billion in funding:
- Phase 1: Converting the Post Office into a retail complex whose main entrance would be through the Beaux Arts-inspired lobby along Van Buren street, the remaining interior would become a parking garage, and a 40-story hotel on the east side of the building. (Approximate cost: $450 million)
- Phase 2: Building a 60-story hotel west of the Post Office and a 120-story, {{convert|2000|ft|m|abbr=on}} office, hotel, and residential tower that would be the tallest in North America. (Approximate cost: $2 billion)
- Phase 3: Two residential towers built on the east side of the Chicago River diagonally southeast from the proposed 120-story skyscraper plus a 12,000 space parking garage. (Approximate cost: $1 billion)
The whole $3.5 billion plan was submitted to the Chicago City Council and the Planning Commission for approval the same day it was released to the public. Only funding for Phase 1 had been secured as of July 21, 2011.{{cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-old-chicago-post-office-redevelopment-plan-unveiled-20110721,0,3150609.story|title=Old Chicago post office redevelopment plan unveiled|publisher=Chicago Tribune|date=July 21, 2011|author=Alejandra Cancino, Blair Kamin|access-date=July 30, 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://www.suntimes.com/6632391-417/old-post-office-figures-in-mega-downtown-expansion-plan.html|title=Old Post Office figures in mega downtown expansion plan|author=David Roeder|date=July 21, 2011|publisher=Chicago Sun-Times|access-date=July 30, 2011}} The proposal was sent to the Chicago City Commission in July 2011 for approval, which was expected to be a several-month process. The project had an estimated cost of $3.5 billion and the potential to create 12,000 jobs.{{cite web|url=http://m.wbez.org/story/big-plans-old-chicago-post-office-89493|title=Big plans for the old Chicago post office|author=Kate Springer, Susie An|publisher=WBEZ-FM|date=July 22, 2011|access-date=July 30, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110819045844/http://m.wbez.org/story/big-plans-old-chicago-post-office-89493|archive-date=August 19, 2011}} Some critics opposed the proposal, calling it old-fashioned and suburban and an unrealistic pipe dream, as it was largely car oriented (12,000 parking spaces and free parking) with shopping mall style retail.{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2011/07/24/plan-for-old-post-office-a-suburban-throwback-and-a-pipe-dream/|title=Plan for old post office: A suburban throwback, and a pipe dream|author=Blair Kamin|publisher=Chicago Tribune|date=July 24, 2011|access-date=July 30, 2011}}
In May 2013, the architectural firm Antunovich Associates created a new proposal on the site featuring a 1000-foot skyscraper (with a 2,000 foot tower in their 2nd phase).{{cite web |last=Tribune |first=Chicago |last2=Hirst |first2=Ellen Jean |date=May 3, 2013 |title=Architects to present new plan for old Chicago post office |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2013/05/03/architects-to-present-new-plan-for-old-chicago-post-office-2/ |access-date=June 20, 2025 |website=Chicago Tribune}} Other potential uses included a casino and/or entertainment complex.{{cite web |url=http://wgntv.com/2013/05/08/exclusive-whats-in-the-works-for-chicagos-old-post-office/ |title=Exclusive: What's in the works for Chicago's old post office? |publisher=WGN-TV |date=May 8, 2013 |access-date=December 13, 2016}}{{cite web |date=August 2, 2016 |title=Old Main Post Office: Troubled Giant on Brink of Transformation |url=https://news.wttw.com/2016/08/02/old-main-post-office-troubled-giant-brink-transformation |access-date=June 20, 2025 |website=WTTW News}} The city voted and approved the plan July 18, 2013.{{cite web |title=City to examine old post office rehab plan |url=http://www.gazettechicago.com/index/2013/07/city-to-examine-old-post-office-rehab-plan/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314224833/http://www.gazettechicago.com/index/2013/07/city-to-examine-old-post-office-rehab-plan/ |archive-date=March 14, 2016 |access-date=December 13, 2016 |work=Gazette Chicago}}
On June 18, 2014, Bill Davies announced the formation of a $500 million joint venture with Sterling Bay Companies for phase I of the redevelopment.{{cite web |url=http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/20140618/CRED03/140619788/old-main-post-office-revamp-gets-a-boost |title=Old Main Post Office revamp gets a boost |access-date=September 16, 2014 |date=June 18, 2014 |work=Crain's Chicago Business |author=Ori, Ryan}}{{cite web|url=http://abc7chicago.com/business/chicagos-old-main-post-office-to-be-redeveloped/124820/|title=Chicago's Old Main Post Office to be redeveloped|access-date=September 16, 2014|date=June 19, 2014|publisher=WLS-TV|author=Ori, Ryan}} On July 18, Sterling announced a new relationship with J.P. Morgan Asset Management, which gave them access to new financial resources.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-sterling-bay-0720-biz-20140720-story.html#page=1|title=Sterling Bay retools old buildings, reshapes neighborhoods|access-date=September 16, 2014|date=July 18, 2014|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Harris, Melissa and Bob Goldsborough}} However, Davies never found sufficient financing. In December 2014, Davies canceled the project and put the post office building up for sale.{{cite news|url=http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/20141204/CRED03/141209875/old-main-post-office-put-up-for-sale|title=Subscription Center |last=Ori|first=Ryan|date=December 4, 2014|work=Crain's Chicago Business|access-date=January 30, 2015}} Davies proposed an ambitious redevelopment plan that was never realized; on May 13, 2016, the building was sold by Davies, who died the next day.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-bill-davies-post-office-death-0518-biz-20160517-story.html|last=Janssen|first=Kim|date=May 17, 2016|title=Owner of old main post office was dead when $130M sale closed|website=Chicago Tribune|access-date=August 29, 2019}}
= 2016 sale and reconstruction =
File:Chicago's Old Main Post Office interior.jpg
In February 2016, Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel pressed for development of the site, threatening to take possession of the building by use of eminent domain. In March, the city's Department of Planning and Development issued an RFP seeking bids due June 10 for redevelopment of the site. Later that week, it was announced that the Old Chicago Post Office would be sold to 601W, a New York City-based real estate company which owns Chicago's Aon Center and One Prudential Plaza buildings.{{cite web |last=Shropshire |first=Corilyn |last2=Janssen |first2=Kim |date=March 17, 2016 |title=Old main post office set to sell, again |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2016/03/17/old-main-post-office-set-to-sell-again/ |access-date=June 20, 2025 |website=Chicago Tribune}} Davies had been in negotiations to sell the building since May 2015.{{cite news|title=601W Cos. Buys Old Post Office, But Questions Remain |date=March 18, 2016 |author=Brian J. Rogal |publisher=GlobeSt.com |access-date=May 15, 2016 |url=http://www.globest.com/sites/brianjrogal/2016/03/18/601w-cos-buys-old-post-office-but-questions-remain/}}
On May 13, 2016, Emanuel announced that Davies had sold the building to 601W;{{cite web |date=May 13, 2016 |title=City: Group buys long-vacant old Chicago post office |url=https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/2016/05/13/city-group-buys-long-vacant/30242834007/ |access-date=June 20, 2025 |website=The State Journal-Register}} however, Davies had died the previous week.{{cite web |last=Janssen |first=Kim |date=May 17, 2016 |title=Owner of old main post office was dead when $130M sale closed |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2016/05/17/owner-of-old-main-post-office-was-dead-when-130m-sale-closed/ |access-date=June 20, 2025 |website=Chicago Tribune}} Vicky Flores, who ran the Chicago office of Davies' firm, commented: "It was really weird, the timing. Everything was signed off, and then I heard he had died. It was like he waited until everything was taken care of."{{cite news|title=Day after selling city's Old Main Post Office, Bill Davies dies |url=http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/local/141687469-story |date=May 15, 2016 |publisher=Fox 32 / Sun-Times Media Wire}} Gensler was hired to redesign the space into office space, with addition of a rooftop park and a riverwalk.{{cite news|title=Chicago's Old Post Office Sold to 601W Companies |author=Jay Koziarz |date=May 13, 2016 |work=Curbed Chicago |url=http://chicago.curbed.com/2016/5/13/11671350/chicagos-old-post-office-sold-601w-companies}} The project was supposed to cost $500 million but ended up at $800 million.{{cite web |last=Roeder |first=David |date=July 4, 2019 |title=Chicago's Old Main Post Office, long a white elephant, is seeing a striking turnaround |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2019/7/4/20681579/chicago-old-main-post-office-landmark-corporate-appeal-walgreens-telos |access-date=June 20, 2025 |website=Chicago Sun-Times}}{{cite web |date=October 21, 2019 |title=Old Post Office Celebrates Grand Opening Of Renovated Space After $800 Million Makeover |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/old-post-office-celebrates-grand-opening-of-renovated-space-after-800-million-makeover/ |access-date=June 20, 2025 |website=CBS Chicago}} In September 2017 the post office was one of 6 sites in Chicago considered for the new Amazon "HQ2" location.{{cite news|first=Fran|last=Spielman|title=What Chicago site might win Amazon 'HQ2' sweepstakes? Here are 6 . . .|date=September 13, 2017|website=Chicago Sun-Times|url=http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/what-chicago-site-might-win-amazon-hq2-sweepstakes-heres-six/|archive-date=September 14, 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170914130031/http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/what-chicago-site-might-win-amazon-hq2-sweepstakes-heres-six/|url-status=dead}}
In August 2019, Uber signed a 10-year lease to become the building's largest tenant, occupying {{convert|463000|sqft}}.{{cite web |last=Freund |first=Sara |date=August 19, 2019 |title=Uber expands its headquarters at Chicago's Old Post Office |url=https://chicago.curbed.com/2019/8/19/20812323/uber-old-main-post-office-chicago-downtown-office |access-date=June 20, 2025 |website=Curbed Chicago}} The structure will also include new Chicago offices for Walgreens, occupying {{convert|200000|sqft}} and housing 1,800 employees.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/15/walgreens-to-move-1800-jobs-into-new-chicago-office.html|last=LaVito|first=Angelica|title=Walgreens to move 1,800 jobs into new Chicago office|date=June 15, 2018|website=CNBC|access-date=July 6, 2018}} PepsiCo will relocate its Chicago office of 1,300 employees and occupy {{convert|192000|sqft}},{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/columns/ryan-ori/ct-biz-pepsico-old-post-office-ryan-ori-20191121-edgucwyyufe55edj7webgshclq-story.html|title=PepsiCo's Chicago office to go from 17 floors to one, in move to ultrawide Old Post Office|last=Ori|first=Ryan|date=November 21, 2019|website=Chicago Tribune|access-date=January 22, 2020}} while the Ferrara Candy Company announced that it would relocate its headquarters to the Post Office building in 2019, occupying {{convert|77000|sqft}} and bringing nearly 400 jobs.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-ferrara-candy-headquarters-chicago-20181213-story.html|last=Ori|first=Ryan|title=Ferrara Candy confirms its headquarters will move to Chicago's Old Post Office|date=December 13, 2018|website=Chicago Tribune|access-date=December 17, 2018}} The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago will also be a tenant.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/columns/ryan-ori/ct-biz-old-post-office-bank-lease-ryan-ori-20190829-dhaug42lyrdvlak2meoq2ylijq-story.html|last=Ori|first=Ryan|date=August 29, 2019|title=The Old Post Office nears opening, adds Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago as office tenant|website=Chicago Tribune|access-date=August 29, 2019}} After extensive renovations undertaken by 601W, the building opened to office tenants in October 2019,{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/columns/blair-kamin/ct-biz-old-post-office-review-kamin-20191017-5ajfrnv7ajck7geppzlbnt6tx4-story.html|title=Column: An exclusive look inside Chicago's Old Post Office as the nation's largest reuse project greets its first tenants this weekend|last=Kamin|first=Blair|date=October 17, 2019|website=Chicago Tribune|access-date=January 22, 2020}} with Walgreens{{cite web |last=Roeder |first=David |date=July 4, 2019 |title=Chicago's Old Main Post Office, long a white elephant, is seeing a striking turnaround |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2019/7/4/20681579/chicago-old-main-post-office-landmark-corporate-appeal-walgreens-telos |access-date=June 20, 2025 |website=Chicago Sun-Times}} and Ferrara Candy becoming the first tenants.{{cite web |last=Koziarz |first=Jay |date=October 21, 2019 |title=Chicago's Old Post Office shows off Art Deco interior as tenants arrive |url=https://chicago.curbed.com/2019/10/21/20924921/old-post-office-photos-amenities-adaptive-reuse |access-date=June 20, 2025 |website=Curbed Chicago}} Construction on the space utilized by Uber was scheduled to begin in the spring of 2020,{{Cite web |last1=Marotti |first1=Ally |last2=Ori |first2=Ryan |date=August 19, 2019 |title=Uber confirms it's moving to massive space in The Old Post Office |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-uber-confirms-post-office-lease-20190819-yecm5ie5cjhuheyso2ybnyfwg4-story.html |access-date=August 29, 2019 |website=Chicago Tribune}} and the Uber Freight hub opened the next year.{{cite web |date=October 20, 2021 |title=Uber Opens New Chicago Office With Space for 2,000 Employees |url=https://www.builtinchicago.org/articles/uber-opens-new-chicago-office-old-main-post-office-hiring |access-date=June 20, 2025 |website=Built In}}{{cite web |last=Channick |first=Robert |date=October 19, 2021 |title=Uber opens new office in Old Post Office, making Chicago the center of growth plans for its surging freight business |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2021/10/19/uber-opens-new-office-in-old-post-office-making-chicago-the-center-of-growth-plans-for-its-surging-freight-business/ |access-date=June 20, 2025 |website=Chicago Tribune}} Within 18 months of the project's completion, four-fifths of the space had been leased, and the building had received a LEED Gold green-building certification.{{cite web |date=December 23, 2020 |title=Chicago's Old Post Office get new zip with massive $900 million renovation |url=https://www.bdcnetwork.com/home/article/55145685/chicagos-old-post-office-get-new-zip-with-massive-900-million-renovation |access-date=June 20, 2025 |website=Building Design+Construction}}
Tenants
{{expand section|date=December 2023}}
The Chicago Sun-Times, in 2022, had plans to open a facility there for newspaper and WBEZ operations. A total of {{convert|6000|sqft|sqm}} of space under lease was to be used.{{cite web|last=Roeder|first=David|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/business/2022/6/29/23188205/sun-times-wbez-lease-office-space-old-post-office|title=Sun-Times, WBEZ lease space in Old Post Office|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|date=June 29, 2022|access-date=December 26, 2023}}
In popular culture
The building was used in the filming of Batman Begins in 2004{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}, and The Dark Knight in April 2007.[http://cbs2chicago.com/local/local_story_108134225.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070621065134/http://cbs2chicago.com/local/local_story_108134225.html|date=June 21, 2007}}{{cite web |url=http://www.nbc5.com/entertainment/12403161/detail.html?dl=headlineclick |title=Chicago Entertainment News, Local Celeb Gossip | NBC Chicago |publisher=Nbc5.com |access-date=July 10, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015185202/http://nbc5.com/entertainment/12403161/detail.html?dl=headlineclick |archive-date=October 15, 2007 |url-status=dead }}[http://www.wbbm780.com/pages/365570.php?contentType=4&contentId=421511]{{dead link|date=December 2016}}
The building is seen from above in the opening credits of Candyman. In the summer of 2010, Paramount Pictures and Michael Bay filmed numerous scenes for Transformers: Dark of the Moon in and around Chicago. The old Chicago Post Office's east facade was decorated as the "Department of Health and Human Services" where the Autobots were kept by the federal government in the movies. The same interior that was used for filming of the bank heist in The Dark Knight was used again for Transformers: Dark of the Moon. There were also some scattered shots from the Post Office interior used throughout the film.{{cite web|url=http://transformerslive.blogspot.com/2010/09/tf3-chicago-more-from-post-office-set.html|title=Transformers Live Action Movie Blog: TF3 Chicago: More from Post Office Set|date=September 12, 2010|work=transformerslive.blogspot.com|access-date=December 13, 2016}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|Old Chicago Main Post Office}}
- {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20121024024336/http://www.emporis.com/application/?nav=building&id=117250 U.S. Post Office, Chicago]}} at Emporis
- [https://books.google.com/books?id=BCgDAAAAMBAJ&dq=Popular+Science+1931+plane&pg=PA29 "Biggest Post Office To Be Built In Chicago", August 1931, Popular Science]
{{Chicago}}
{{Supertall proposed skyscrapers}}
Category:1920s architecture in the United States
Category:1921 establishments in Illinois
Category:Government buildings completed in 1921
Category:Government buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Chicago
Category:Post office buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Illinois