Chicago's Jackson Park is finally getting some long-overdue attention, as a century-old temple-like pavilion at the heart of the park prepares for its first major restoration in years. The Burnham Building, named after the renowned architect and planner Daniel H. Burnham, has been left to deteriorate since at least a decade ago, with its facade crumbling away and the roof collapsing, prompting a costly overhaul.
The Chicago Park District is investing around $500,000 from federal funding into the restoration project, which aims to bring back the building's former glory. The estimated cost of the makeover is expected to be in the "a few million," according to Heather Gleason, Director of Planning and Development at the park district. Preservation experts have long called for action on this landmark structure.
The restoration will include not only repairs but also significant upgrades, such as a new Spanish clay tile roof, historically accurate windows, and modern mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems. A newly restored aggregate concrete exterior will also be part of the plan, along with an accessible pathway into the building. Additionally, bollards are being installed to help prevent cars from hitting the landmark structure.
This is welcome news for Jackson Park, which has struggled with chronic underinvestment for decades. While other projects in the park are still pending, the restoration of the Burnham Building marks a significant step forward. When completed by 2027, it's expected to be a shining example of the park's efforts to preserve its historic buildings.
Jackson Park remains a cherished green space thanks to its beautiful location and masterful design by Frederick Law Olmsted. However, other parts of the park are in dire need of attention, such as the Clarence Darrow Bridge, which has been closed to the public since 2013 due to safety concerns.
Gleason emphasized that there is a renewed focus on historic preservation within the Chicago Park District, with a commitment to securing grants and proper funding for these projects. The completion of the Burnham Building restoration will not only restore this iconic landmark but also set an example for other preservation efforts in the park.
The Chicago Park District is investing around $500,000 from federal funding into the restoration project, which aims to bring back the building's former glory. The estimated cost of the makeover is expected to be in the "a few million," according to Heather Gleason, Director of Planning and Development at the park district. Preservation experts have long called for action on this landmark structure.
The restoration will include not only repairs but also significant upgrades, such as a new Spanish clay tile roof, historically accurate windows, and modern mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems. A newly restored aggregate concrete exterior will also be part of the plan, along with an accessible pathway into the building. Additionally, bollards are being installed to help prevent cars from hitting the landmark structure.
This is welcome news for Jackson Park, which has struggled with chronic underinvestment for decades. While other projects in the park are still pending, the restoration of the Burnham Building marks a significant step forward. When completed by 2027, it's expected to be a shining example of the park's efforts to preserve its historic buildings.
Jackson Park remains a cherished green space thanks to its beautiful location and masterful design by Frederick Law Olmsted. However, other parts of the park are in dire need of attention, such as the Clarence Darrow Bridge, which has been closed to the public since 2013 due to safety concerns.
Gleason emphasized that there is a renewed focus on historic preservation within the Chicago Park District, with a commitment to securing grants and proper funding for these projects. The completion of the Burnham Building restoration will not only restore this iconic landmark but also set an example for other preservation efforts in the park.
i'm so hyped about the restoration of that century old pavilion in Jackson Park!! $500k is a good start, i hope they get more funding to make it a million 
or more! it's about time someone took care of that beautiful building, it's been neglected for way too long 
. and can we talk about how iconic it is? 
the Burnham Building needs to be restored to its former glory ASAP! 
i'm all for historic preservation and making sure these landmarks are protected for future generations 
. lets keep those funds coming and make Jackson Park a park to remember 
. But $500k from the feds is a great start, and if they can get some more funding together, this place could be looking sharp again 
. I love how they're going all out with the restoration, too - new roof, historic windows, the whole shebang 
. And can we talk about how awesome it'll be when it's done by 2027? 
It's not just about fixing up an old building, it's about preserving our history and showing future generations what's what 
. Let's hope they can get some of those other projects going too, like that bridge over by the lake... 
. $500k isn't even a drop in the bucket compared to what it needs. and what's with the new roof? spanish clay tile? sounds like some fancy renovation job 
. plus, $5 million is still way too low if u ask me. dont get me wrong, im glad they're finally paying attention, but this is just gonna be a Band-Aid solution 
. what about the rest of the park? Clarence Darrow Bridge has been closed for ages! when are they gonna fix that up? need some more info on this before i can fully get behind it 
I'm also wondering why it took so long for this to happen... was there some kind of "delay" that nobody wants to talk about? 
I'm so stoked that Jackson Park is finally getting some much-needed love! It's about time that century-old beauty got a refresh 
. And let's not forget those bollards, they're like little lifesavers for the building 
. I'm also loving the emphasis on historic preservation within the park district - now we can look forward to more projects being brought to life 
. I've always loved Jackson Park, there's something so magical about it, but it's been neglected for far too long. Can't wait to see it come back to life in 2027 
.
the $500k from federal funding might not seem like a lot but trust me it's better than nothing 
about the Burnham Building restos... finally! $500k is kinda low tho 
, imo it should be more like 5-10 mil 
- I don’t know why that wasn't thought of sooner!
. It's great to see a renewed focus on preservation within the Chicago Park District too! And yeah, the completion of the Burnham Building restoration will definitely set an example for other projects in the park 
[GIF of a person fixing a broken clock]
[Image of a beautiful park with people enjoying it]
[GIF of a building being restored, with bricks flying into place]