West Loop in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Wieboldt's Department Store

1925-1975

— Architect - Graham, Anderson, Probst & White —

Wieboldt's Department Store Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 15, 2026

1. Wieboldt's Department Store Marker

Inscription. Wieboldt's, a chain of local department stores, sought to meet the demand in up-and-coming neighborhoods for shopping. This building was known as Wieboldt's Mid-Town store and was located in an area formerly known as Chicago's "Polish Downtown."

After it closed in 1975, the building was purchased by Goodwill Industries. In 1984, it was sold to Kranzten Studio, a large commercial photography and design studio. The building was empty from 1988-2003 until an adaptive re-use project was done in 2003-2005. Two more stories were added onto the building and a parking garage was built. It was renovated into 1st floor commercial spaces and residential condominium units on floors 3-8. Today the building at 1645 W. Ogden Avenue is known as Paramount Lofts.

Erected 2026.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1925.

Location. 41° 52.792′ N, 87° 40.064′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in West Loop. It is on West Ogden Avenue south of West Monroe Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1645 West Ogden Avenue, Chicago IL 60612, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

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of this marker: West Side YMCA/YWCA Complex (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jackson Boulevard (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Jackson Boulevard (approx. 0.2 miles away); James Connolly (approx. 0.2 miles away); Jackson Boulevard District (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Jackson Boulevard (approx. ¼ mile away); Carter H. Harrison (approx. ¼ mile away); Union Park (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Also see . . .
1. Wieboldt's Department Stores Are A Memory, But Wieboldt Foundation Is Still Giving Back To Chicago.

From CBS Chicago: "In the city, there were locations in at 63rd and Green streets in Englewood; at Adams Street and Ashland Avenue on the Near West Side; at Lincoln, Ashland, and Belmont avenues in Lakeview; at Milwaukee Avenue and Paulina Street in Wicker Park; in the Lincoln Village shopping center in North Park; and at the Ford City Mall in West Lawn."

(Submitted on May 6, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Chicago Architecture Center: Graham, Anderson, Probst & White.

Excerpt: "One of the most iconic architecture firms in Chicago, Graham, Anderson, Probst & White was deeply instrumental in shaping the city’s architectural identity in the early 20th century. With
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 15, 2026

2. Paramount Lofts
Chicago emerging as a major American city after the Great Fire of 1871 and through the rapid industrial growth of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the city needed monumental buildings that could reflect its growing economic and cultural stature. Graham, Anderson, Probst & White responded to this need with buildings that were not only grand in scale but also steeped in classical beauty."

(Submitted on May 6, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 15, 2026

3. Wieboldt's Department Store Marker

Looking northeast up Ogden Ave.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 6, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on May 6, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 2, 3. submitted on May 15, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.