---

.. Inside Campus News Viewpoints Vitality Sports Back Issues E-Mail The Columbia Chronicle Editor-in-Chief Online Editor Advertising Mgr. Meet the Staff Awards The Message Board Sidewalk Chicago Back to the Front Page The Columbia Chronicle Columbia College Chicago 600 S. Michigan Ave Chicago, IL 60605-1996 312-344-7343 (phone) 312-344-8032 (fax) Visit Columbia College Chicago

..

..

..

College buys historic Ludington building By Gloria Brand Staff Writer Expanding its considerable ownership of South Loop properties, Columbia College closed a deal last week on the $4.9 million purchase of the 108-year-old Ludington building at 1104 S. Wabash, the largest structure bought by Columbia in 10 years. Donnie Seals, Jr/Chronicle Eight stories high with 182,000 square feet, the building will reportedly provide an expansion space for currently oversized college departments. “We are trying to address the departments that have current [space] inadequacy and that’s the first objective”, said Columbia Provost/ Executive Vice President Bert Gall. Gall said that the building may also be used for an expanded Student Life center. The Ludington building was designed by architect William Le Baron Jenney, the “father of the skyscraper,” and constructed in 1891. It originally housed the American Book Company; because of its terra cotta surface and its unique construction style, the building was designated a Chicago landmark by the city in 1996. It is also on the National Register of Historic Places. According to a Chicago Tribune report last week, the school will spend an additional $9 million to $15 million for the building’s renovation over the next three years. Contributing: Bruno VanderVelde