637-641 S. Dearborn Building, Grace Place (637 S. Dearborn), 639 S. Dearborn Building
Life Span: 1921-Present
Location: 637-641 Dearborn
Architect: Christian A. Eckstrom
Chicago Tribune, October 10, 1920
$80,000 Building Under Way for Printers’ Row
Work is now under way on another addition to South Dearborn street’s printers’ row. Edward S. Hunter is building a four story building, 75×76, at 637-41, extending through to Plymouth court, at a cost of around $80,000, from plans by Architect C. A. Eckstrom. It will be ready about Jan. 1 and will be rented exclusively to printers. Mr. Hunter is the owner of the twelve story Hunter building at the southeast corner of Madison and Market.
Chicago Tribune, June 22, 1986
A second honor award went to Booth/Hansen & Associates for carving an old loft space at 637 S. Dearborn St. into a new home for the Grace Place Episcopal Church and Community Center. The architects were cited for creating symbolically powerful imagery in a straightforward way.
The present Grace Church and Community Center, Grace Place, was opened in December, 1985, at 637 South Dearborn Street. The Rev. William L. Casady, rector from 1979 to 1989, led the move to the Printers Row location and spearheaded the acquisition and renovation of a former commercial building. Following plans by the architectural firm of Booth Hansen, the building was converted into a unique, award-winning loft-sanctuary on the second floor, with the large open hall on the street level to be used for church and community affairs.
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