The City of Chicago and Misericordia Homes have come to an agreement that would allow private developers and other interested parties to take ownership of the historic structure at 1925 W. Thome St. in Chicago’s West Ridge community area and move it to a suitable new location.

The former Chicago Town and Tennis Club is a Tudor Revival-style building dating to the 1920s. Misecordia applied for a demolition permit for the structure in December 2019, which triggered a 90-day review period by the Department of Planning and Development’s historic preservation staff because the building is rated Orange in the Chicago Historic Resources Survey. The organization, which provides life-altering services for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, plans to use the site to expand its campus.

Under the terms of the agreement, the City is set to release the demolition permit on March 19, 2020. Misericordia will agree to hold off on demolition for another 90 days, until at least June 17, 2020, to allow a qualified entity to take ownership of the building and move it off the Thome Avenue parcel.

Any entity that proves it has the capacity to take ownership of and move the building must complete that process by Aug. 31, 2020. Interested parties should review the Chicago Department of Transportation’s House Move Criteria, and contact Julie O’Sullivan at Misericordia Heart of Mercy, 773-273-4133 or julieo@misericordia.com.

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