Source: The National Herald
LOMBARD, IL – The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago has announced the approval by the Metropolis Council of entry into a contract to purchase the property at 1015 North LaSalle Drive, Chicago, Illinois, 60610. The Metropolis Council’s approval follows a parish General Assembly decision by Annunciation Cathedral stewards to sell the property to the Metropolis of Chicago.
Under the agreement, the property will be purchased from Annunciation Cathedral and will be developed into the new Metropolis Center, the long-term headquarters and spiritual home of the Metropolis of Chicago.
“After weighing the benefits of furthering Metropolitan Nathanael’s 5-year vision, the spiritual significance of having our hierarch based at our Cathedral, and the lasting benefits of this partnership to the Cathedral, our sister parishes, and the City of Chicago, this decision was fully embraced by our parish. Our stewards are truly blessed and humbled to come together and make this choice for ourselves, for our Community, and for the continued grace of God,” said Jonathan Bacon, Parish Council president of the Annunciation Cathedral.
Purchase of the property is subject to approvals by delegates at a Special Clergy-Laity Assembly of the Metropolis of Chicago, currently scheduled for February 6, 2025, and by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
“We are proud that an extensive selection process – involving many high caliber proposals from several parishes – yielded the best possible location for the Metropolis Center. While there is much work ahead, we are confident that the proposed location’s wide-ranging benefits to our clergy, laity, staff, volunteers, and guests will speak for themselves,” said Nick T. Boosalis, chairman of the Real Estate Committee of the Metropolis of Chicago.
The property footprint would provide the Metropolis of Chicago with approximately 6,300 interior square feet. After completion of improvements, the property will satisfy current and projected space needs to accommodate staff members, meetings, Metropolis ministries and programs, and the receiving of dignitaries. The proposal also respects the ecclesiastical importance of a hierarch being aligned with and physically located at his cathedral.
“From the beginning, the Metropolis of Chicago sought to be guided by the Holy Spirit, to fulfill a promise to conduct its transactions with the highest integrity, and to earnestly follow the process where it led us. Today, we see the fruits of that commitment: we are poised to be located alongside the Annunciation Cathedral, the spiritual and symbolic heart of our Holy Metropolis. I am deeply grateful for the faith, professionalism, and leadership of the stewards and the parish council of the Annunciation Cathedral, Fr. Stamati Sfikas, and the Metropolis Real Estate Committee, without whom this outcome would not be possible,” said His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael.
In February 2022, the Metropolis of Chicago announced the sale of the Burton Place property, the previous Metropolis Center. The net sale proceeds, which remain in a segregated, restricted account, will be used for the purchase and renovation of the property.
In order to convert the existing space into a fully functional Metropolis Center, a Request for Proposal (RFP) will be issued for comprehensive architectural design and construction services. The property currently is utilized as a multi-unit apartment building.
Pending required approvals, securing of municipal permits, retention of outside contractors, fulfillment of design and construction timelines, the Metropolis of Chicago expects to close on the property in Q2 of 2025 and occupy the property in Q2 of 2026.
About the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago
Tracing its roots back to the early 1920s, the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago is a bishopric the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople consisting of 58 parishes and two monastic communities in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, northern Indiana, and central Missouri. The Metropolis of Chicago also is one of nine eparchies in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and is presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago. The general offices of the Metropolis are temporarily located in Lombard, IL. For more information and to get involved, visit the Metropolis website and/or sign up to receive Metropolis news. For further information, contact the Metropolis of Chicago at: contactus@chicago.goarch.org or 312-736-2280.