The Homan Square community development effort began in 1988 when Sears, Roebuck and Co. chairman Ed Brennan approached developer Charlie Shaw about prospects for redeveloping the site of the original Sears, Roebuck and Co. headquarters on Chicago’s West Side.
The 55-acre property, located in North Lawndale, included a number of buildings built in 1907. Among them: the five-story Administration Building; the largest privately-owned laboratory building in the country; and the world’s largest wood-frame structure - the Sears catalog plant. The easterly end of this building was the first Sears Tower, a fourteen-story structure that housed radio station WLS (World’s Largest Store). There were a number of other features; a historic power house, a 1,000-car garage, and a beautiful garden that had been maintained for 90 years.
North Lawndale had not fared as well. It was ravished by the riots of the 60’s; unemployment was rampant; crime rates were high; and there were few prospects for change. North Lawndale had all the characteristics of many communities throughout the country that had been under-served and neglected for decades.
Although Sears had been a responsible owner and maintained their buildings, most were empty, and the prospects for redevelopment within the existing environment were slim. Working with top Sears’ executives, Ed Brennan and Charley Moran, Shaw developed a concept plan which was designed to reinvigorate the community and revitalize the neighborhood of North Lawndale.
He met with Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley, elected officials, and community and business leaders. These meetings revealed not only deep concern over the future of the community, but clear ideas for what was needed. Community leaders expressed support for a three-pronged
development strategy to include new housing, commercial development and community services, including recreational and health care facilities.
Shaw knew that such a project would require a massive and long-term partnership of the public, private and community sectors. Mayor Daley showed enormous leadership by committing the City to millions of dollars in road, sewer and infrastructure improvements. Sears made significant commitments of support. With these major initial pledges of private investment, city commitment and community support in hand, Shaw told Sears that the project was a go. The vision for Homan Square was born.
