Another Michigan Avenue Gap To Be Filled
The Old Republic Building
OfficeMax vacated its space in the Old Republic Building (307 North Michigan Avenue) under the clock at the corner of Michigan Avenue and East South Water Street about two years ago, and since then it’s been empty.
Recently, signs went up indicating that Pittsburgh’s PNC Bank is moving into the space as part of its massive invasion of the Chicago retail banking market.
It’s not spectacular, but it beats a kick in the pants, or the space remaining vacant for another two years.
Why is it that once one store or eating establishment closes a new bank branch always ends up filling it? Don’t we have enough of those down here? I’d like to see something like a unique eating establishment or boutique or store fill in some of these places. It’s getting too boring here in the loop!
Agreed. Even in the short time I’ve been in Chicago, it has lost much of its uniqueness. With the exception of Argo Tea, and Italian Village, pretty much everything there is to see and do in downtown Chicago is part of a national chain.
But then, some of the tourists I’ve spoken with from other countries love that. They call Chicago the “real America” and say it’s much better than New York or Los Angeles because of it. Maybe they’re on to something.