Chicago Avenue Pumping Station
- Architect
- William W. Boyington
- Style
- Gothic Revival
- City
- Chicago, IL
The Chicago Avenue Pumping Station has drawn fresh water from Lake Michigan for the city since 1869, when it was built by architect William W. Boyington as the sister structure to the Chicago Water Tower across Michigan Avenue. Both buildings survived the Great Chicago Fire, and in 1918 the widening of Pine Street was designed around giving the pair a more prominent, featured setting.
the building
A pump station with a stage. In 2003 and 2004, an adaptive-reuse renovation converted part of the station's interior into a theater, now home to the Lookingglass Theatre Company, while the rest of the building continues operating as an active pumping station.
What the renovation touched. The 2003-2004 project included roof deck replacement, facade restoration, new exterior architectural lighting, landscaping upgrades, and lead paint abatement.
the style
Boyington gave the pumping station the same castellated Gothic Revival treatment as the Water Tower across the street, so the working utility building reads as a matching pair with its more famous neighbor.
More on Gothic Revivalsignificance
The station is a contributing property in the Old Chicago Water Tower District landmark district, along the Magnificent Mile.
nearby
- Chicago Water Tower
- Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago
- 875 North Michigan Avenue
- Palmolive Building
- Sofitel Chicago Water Tower
- Holy Name Cathedral, Chicago