Wollensak Building

Wollensak Building
Life Span: 1891-1909
Location: Southeast corner Washington and Canal, 38-44 S Canal, site of Chicago & Northwestern Depot
Architect: Treat & Foltz

Chicago Tribune, September 20, 1891

J. A. Wollensak will improve the property which he purchased about a year ago at the southeast corner of West Washington and Canal streets by the erection of an eight-story and basement warehouse at a cost of about $100,000, for which Architects Treat & Foltz have prepared plans. The building will front 75 feet on Canal and 100 feet on Washington street. The exterior will be of pressed brick and the interior of mill construction. It will be supplied with freight elevators and steam heat.

Chicago Tribune, October 4, 1891

J. F. Wollensack, who owns the southeast corner of Washington and Canal streets, destroyed by fire about two years ago, has let contracts for a new seven-story warehouse to be erected on this site. The building will be 89×150 feet and will cost $80,000. The ruins of the old building have long been an eyesore to the neighborhood and a menace so the safety of passers-by. Numerous requests have been made to the city officials to have the owner compelled to tear down the old ruins, but nothing was ever done in this direction.

Chicago Tribune, November 1, 1891

A permit was was issued yesterday to J. F. Wollensak for a seven-story and basement brick factory building to be erected at Nos. 38 to 44 Canal street. The cost will be $100,000.

The building will oceupy the space where the old Beidler Block formerly stood, at the southeast corner of Washington and Canal streets, the walls of that building having been torn down after threatening to fall for several years.

Rand, McNally’s Bird’s-Eye Views of Chicago, 1893

⑪ The Woolensack Building
At the southeast corner of West Washington and South Canal streets, can be seen only from the rear, but is here mentioned because it was erected as lately as 1892. Its dimensions are 120 feet on Washington, 80 feet on South Canal; height, 95 feet, with 7 stories and basement. The exterior is brick, stone, and iron. There are 2 freight elevators. It is occupied by manufacturers.

Inter Ocean, April 16, 1908

PENNSYLVANIA ROAD IN $1,000,000 DEAL
Almost Entire Block at Canal, Washington, and Madison Streets Purchased—High Price Is Paid to New Orleans Woman.
Record has finally been made of the transfer on the Canal street property between Washington and Madison streets to the Pennsylvania railroad. This deal has been so long pending and so generally understood that its announcement cannot be considered new. The only items of interest in the transaction are the considerations given for the property. The northeast corner of Canal and Madison streets, 55.7×150, was acquired from Mrs. Ida A. Richardson of New Orleans, La., for $340,000. The adjoining piece, 108.9 x150 feet, was bought for $295,000. The next sixty feet of frontage, known as the Maypole property, brought $240,000, while the adjoining eighty-four and one-half feet was acquired for $180,000.

Whole Block in Deal.
The above comprises the entire block, with the exception of the Wollensack property, at the southeast corner of Canal and Washington streets, and this also probably has been acquired, though some legal formalities are necessary before the deed can be recorded.

Inter Ocean, October 25, 1908

A New Contract Let.
Announcement was made yesterday that the contract for the construction of the new Chicago & Northwestern passenger terminal has been let to the George A. Fuller Construction company of Chicago. The exact terms of the contract were not made known, but it is understood that the sum involved is in the neighborhood of $5,000,000.

Work will be started at once, and it is expected that the new station will be ready for occupancy by Jan. 1, 1910. The station, which will face West Madison street and will have a side entrance on Canal street, will be one of the finest architectural features of the city. It will occupy practically four entire city blocks, bounded by Madison street on the south, Kinzie street on the north, Clinton street on the west, and Canal street on the east.

With the exception of the South station at Boston, the new terminal will be the largest in the United States and will involve a total expenditure of $20,000,000.

Chicago Tribune, June 26, 1910

Pennsylvania Road Will Not Use the Site of the Wollensak Building.
A lease of much interest as bearing upon the future plans of the Pennsylvanla road In the block between Madison and Washington streets on the east side of Canal street has been closed. The property involved is the Wollensak holding at the southeast corner of Washington and Canal streets and comprises the only piece in the block which is not owned by the road:

Two or three years ago it began condemnation proceedings to acquire it, but they were stopped when a representative of the Chicago Title and Trust, company ascertained that Mr. Wollensak was alive in California. Prior to that for two or three years he was thought to have been dead.

Despite the fact that report has had it that the road intended to use this whole block in connection with its new passenger terminal, no effort has been made by the road to acquire, indicating quite clearly that its plans do not contemplate the use of this property.

It has been leased to the Mead Cycle company for a term of fifteen years from Sept. 15 next, at an annual rent of $13.838. The lot is 84×150 feet and is improved with a five story and basement building, all of which the Mead company will occupy.

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