A venture tied to Chicago-based Bader Properties plans to convert the former St. Ann Catholic Church in Pilsen into apartments or condos. The property is one of a number of former churches being targeted for redevelopment, as shrinking congregations lead church officials to sell.
The Archdiocese of Chicago last month sold St. Ann — at 1840 South Leavitt Street — and an adjacent property for $1.4 million to Bader, which plans to redevelop it into residential units, according to Block Club Chicago.
Angelo Labriola of commercial broker SVN Chicago said the developer plans major renovations at the property. It secured a permit from the city earlier this month.
St. Ann was one of three Pilsen churches the Archdiocese announced it would close in 2016, along with St. Procopius and St. Adalbert. It hired SVN to list St. Adalbert last year, and the brokerage pitched the building’s deteriorating towers as “perfect for penthouse units,” according to Block Club.
In Noble Square, Stas Development is redeveloping the former St. Boniface Church into condos. And the 118-year-old former Episcopal Church of the Advent in Logan Square was converted into a luxury apartment development.
But Point B Properties’ plan to turn a former Humboldt Park church into condos has run into opposition from community residents who want to see it turned into affordable apartments instead. [Block Club] — John O’Brien