House Music’s Birthplace, The Warehouse, to Become a Chicago Landmark

Up until this week, house music’s birthplace had zero regulatory protections. But now, Chicago’s The Warehouse, also known as the building that witnessed Frankie Knuckles’ music debut, received preliminary landmark status. 

Back in March, a change.org petition urged music fans to protect the cultural institution from potential demolition. Thousands of music fans signed the petition and The Warehouse gained critical momentum towards landmark status. 

In a Tweet, Chicago’s Department of Planning and Development (DPD) announced that the three-story building was granted a preliminary landmark recommendation from the Commission on Chicago Landmarks. 

While the status paves the path to full landmark status, it also kicks off a lengthy series of approvals. 

Before the building can become a landmark, several steps must be undertaken. These include obtaining consent from the building’s owner, organizing a public hearing, and another vote at the City’s Council involving 50 elected officials. 

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, The Warehouse served as a members-only club for black and queer communities. One of the party hub’s first resident DJs was Frankie Knuckles, commonly known as the godfather of house music. 

Within the building’s walls, Knuckles crafted a new sound that fused elements of disco, funk, soul and electronic music, setting the stage for house music’s rise. 

By the mid-1980s, The Warehouse Chicago permanently shuttered its doors. As house music’s popularity exploded during that time, other clubs tried to emulate the club’s music ethos. With so many imitators vying for attention, the competition was fierce, and the scene became crowded and fragmented.