The Mecca Apartments(Flats) were built in 1891 and located on the corner of State and 34th Streets in Chicago’s South Side Bronzeville neighborhood. The architects were Frank Burnham and George Edbrook. It was originally built to be a luxury hotel for those attending the 1893 World’s Fair. Then, the Mecca Apartments became a sought after address for Chicago’s upper class society. It had two large interior courts that were carpeted and had elaborate fountains and ornate railings. It also had skylights that topped the two wings of the u-shaped building.
Later, the building became known as the Mecca Flat Blues. It was then home to many African Americans that came to Chicago from the South during the Great Migration. At that time, the Bronzeville neighborhood was the heart of the Chicago blues and jazz scene and many nightclubs were located in the area of State Street between 31st and 35th Streets. A famous blues song called “Mecca Flat Blues” describes the struggles and hardships of life in the Mecca Flats. Gwendolyn Brooks also published a famous poem called “The Mecca”. The Mecca was demolished in 1952 due to disrepair and to facilitate the expansion of the Illinois Institute of Technology; and even though this beautiful building was gone, it was replaced by another landmark – architect Mies van der Rohe’s S.R. Crown Hall on the IIT campus. Nevertheless, an important part of Chicago jazz and blues history is now gone.
Note- Thanks to the cityofchicago.org and the Chicago Cultural Center for these amazing photos.
Thanks Linda. That was very interesting. I lived near there but the building was demolished when I was 8 years old so I remember it. Lol.
Thanks Suzette. I thought you might remember it.