Hey everyone, is it maybe the time for us all to start having a conversation about how the Mullanphy Emigrant Home is probably going to collapse into a giant pile of rubble soon?
Honestly, it’s following the path of St. Mary’s Infirmary on the Near South Side, which collapsed slowly before being demolished.
I am always surprised that there is not more talk about the Emigrant Home. I only know of one other city that has an Emigrant Home (Hull House in Chicago). Seems like it is a very important part of the city’s history. I believe there was a fundraiser at least once in the last 10 years and that is how they got the new walls built.
Yes, trade unions donated their labor to rebuild the south wall that was damaged by storms. The current owner does not seem to have a plan to save it.
I did an address and property search on the city’s website, and it shows that on July 15, 2021, a demolition permit was applied for and issued to W&W Real Estate LLC-C/O Wahied Gendi. Dr. Gendi purchased the Mullanphy Emigrant Home late in 2018 for $130,000 with plans to rehab it into either a health facility or housing. Being issued a demolition permit doesn’t always mean the owner follows through with it, but considering the building’s condition, I won’t be surprised to see it torn down. This exemplifies what I’ve noticed for quite sometime when it comes to many preservation projects. There’s always much hoopla and good press generated when people announce they’re coming to the rescue of some historic structure, but so often we hear nary a peep when a year or two later the project comes to naught.
I completely agree.