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Really Quiet Neighbors

Posted by: Alek Miller
Thanks to: ArchNewsNow
3 November 2009 - 1:00pm

Architect Bill Bickford would like to turn Chicago's historic Three Arts Club into a columbarium, or building to house cremated remains. The former dormitory for women artists is revered by preservationists, but hasn't been in use since 2003.

"Once a 110-room dormitory for women artists, the landmark building could become a permanent home to the cremated remains of as many as 15,000 people. That plan, put forth by a group of investors led by Chicago architect Bill Bickford, is a novel one for a property revered by preservationists and once coveted by condominium and hotel developers — until the real estate market collapsed."

"A company controlled by Chicago developer Mark Hunt paid $13 million for the building in 2003 with the idea of converting it into a boutique hotel and social club. But that plan fizzled, and Mr. Hunt put the property back on the market."

Full Story: Dorms for the dead
Source: Chicago Business, November 2, 2009
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Public transit has suffered from an economic mis-focus, and ironically enough, it has only worsened perennial problems like chronic underfunding and running incomplete systems that can't compete with the private automobile.
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