City issues demolition permits for Damen Silos

The City of Chicago has issued demolition permits to demolish the Damen Silos at 2900 S. Damen. Previously, the Army Corps of Engineers announced they approved of the demolition back in December 2024.

Situated along the South Branch of the Chicago River, the Damen Silos have been an iconic part of Chicago industrial and agricultural history for over a century. The silos were closed in 1977 and have enjoyed a second life in recent years as a film site and destination for unofficial urban tourism. 

MAT Limited bought the silos and the 23-acre site from the State of Illinois for $6.5 million in late 2022 after they decided to unload the property. To this day, the company has not released plans for what they will use the site for once it is cleared. 

The demolition will reportedly be executed by dismantling the building piece by piece rather than using explosives to prevent debris from spreading during demolition. According to a report from the Chicago Tribune, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers authorized using water from the Chicago River to spray down the Damen Silos to prevent dust pollution. Barges will be stationed next to the demolition site, and if anything falls into the river during demolition, the building department will stop the demolition and notify the Army Corps.

Neighbors and preservationists have made efforts in the last few years to try and save the structures and reuse them to bring tourism to the area or provide green space. Most recently, residents and preservationists were proposing to redevelop the site into a public festival site. At this point, no reuse plans have come together successfully.

With demolition permits issued, Heneghan Wrecking will reportedly begin the demolition process soon. It is expected to take approximately six months to clear the structures.