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.

UPDATE:

Buildings Commissioner Marlene Hopkins released the following statement in regard to the demolition:

“Since receiving the five demolition permit applications for the Damen Silos site, my department has worked closely with the Chicago Department of Public Health to implement a comprehensive framework for this environmentally complex demolition, reflecting lessons learned from past demolitions that showed how a lack of coordination can be detrimental to our communities. We cannot and will not repeat the mistakes of the past, which is why complex demolitions require stringent review and public engagement regarding their potential impact. This isn’t just about issuing permits in accordance with code—it’s about accountability and going beyond minimum requirements when community safety demands it. The multiple community meetings provided a collaborative space for residents to ask questions regarding safe demolition, oversight, dust control measures, and other environmental and health protections. The permits issued today, July 3, 2025, are the culmination of months of coordinated work between DOB and CDPH to properly execute a demolition that demonstrates our commitment to putting the safety of Chicagoans first, especially those living in communities with existing environmental challenges. We appreciate the continued engagement and advocacy of McKinley Park residents. Their voices have made this process better, and we look forward to a successful demolition that meets the high standards they deserve.”