On June 21, the Chicago City Council, among other things, approved landmark status for The Warehouse building that featured a now-shuttered club that catered to queer Black and Brown patrons and that is known as the birthplace of house music.
The development happened during Pride Month and before the Chicago House Music Festival and Conference, slated to take place June 23-24.
Earlier this year, Preservation Chicago had the space on its annual list of the city's "most endangered" buildings.
According to the city council's ordinance, "The building [at 206 S. Jefferson St.] was home to The Warehouse from 1977 to 1982, a dance club with cultural significance to the City of Chicago and the United States as the birthplace of house, a genre of dance music characterized by a driving beat, emotive lyrics and lush orchestration drawn from a number of genres including disco, R&B, gospel and techno."
"Chicago's landmarks illustrate the story of our history and culture. I'm proud that the City Council approved landmark designation for The Warehouse, a space regarded as the birthplace of house music and a safe haven for Chicago's LGBTQ+ communities," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "Everyone who celebrated at The Warehouse no matter how they identified or where they were from felt like they belonged. And that is truly indicative of our city, a place where all are welcome, and all should feel like they belong."
"The Warehouse is an important part of the LGBTQ+ community's story in Chicago and I'm grateful that we are able to give this building the historical designation it deserves," added Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa. "For decades, The Warehouse represented a safe and inclusive space for ... Chicago's Black, Latinx and queer communities to celebrate. I'm proud to honor their legacy during this Pride Month."
Andrew Davis