Property Description

Well-traveled northeast corner of 79th & Jeffrey Boulevard in Chicago's South Shore community offers this former religious compound - church, school, rectory, and convent - all interconnected with interior access. The church building with main access on East 79th Street, was completed in 1935, and designed by Joseph W. McCarthy & Associates Architects in a Romanesque cathedral style - constructed of structural steel framing with masonry walls and exterior limestone cladding. The church footprint is about 12,800 sq ft (75 existing pews) plus a full basement with 11 ft ceilings. Soaring ceilings and double level stained glass windows provide an iconic and historical presence. The church has a 130 ft bell tower and is serviced by a 400-amp electrical system. The church basement provides direct interior access into the adjacent school. The school, opened in 1923, is a two-story building also of limestone construction on a concrete foundation with a full basement - approximately 21,200 sq ft plus the basement of nearly 6,000 sq ft. Eight classrooms plus a coatroom on each level. There is a sprinkler system, and all windows have been replaced. Four steam heating systems (radiators) are located in the boiler room of the school basement and heat the entire complex (zoned heating). The school has direct access into the church and provides private access into the former rectory and convent. The rectory (7851 S. Jeffrey Boulevard) is a center-entrance grey limestone property - built in the late 1920's - a two-story structure with a partially finished basement - approximately 5,200 sq ft not including the basement. The former convent (7850 S. Chappel) is also constructed of grey limestone. It's a three-story building with a full basement - nearly 11,200 sq ft of improved space - consisting of individual offices, bedrooms, common kitchen, dining and living rooms, plus common bathrooms, and a private chapel. At the north end of the property is a private fenced parking lot for 50+ vehicles. The entire lot, consisting of two PINs, is approximately 2.009 acres, 87,514 sq ft of land area. Incredible opportunity to invest, repurpose, or transition this 50,000+ sq ft property into something spectacular - positioned on just over a half city block, and ideally located in South Shore near all transportation and the newly opened Obama Presidential Library. Current zoning on most of the parcel is RT-4. The 79th & Chappel corner of the parcel is zoned B3-2. Please check City of Chicago zoning ordinances for any intended uses. Truly an opportunity of a lifetime for a creative and entrepreneurial investor or end-user. Magnificent structure!!!!!

Property Features